נד

My beloved son, my dear one. [Yitzchok]

Now I proclaim glad tidings to you [עַתָּה אֲבַשֶּׂרְךָ — avassrecha: from the root בשׂר — to bring glad tidings, to proclaim good news — the same root as b'sorah tovah and m'vaser, the prophetic herald of salvation. Rather than the simpler agid l'cha (I will tell you), Reb Nussun chooses this word of prophetic announcement, elevating the news of the measured site into a declaration of salvation. It fits precisely with the chish kal m'heirah language of Temple-rebuilding that follows] — that on Friday, the eve of the past holy Shabbos, I received a letter from our friend Rabbi Naftali — may his light shine — that thanks be to G-d the site [platz] in Uman has already been measured [נִמְדַּד הַפְּלַאץ — the site has been officially measured and demarcated, a legal act of possession establishing the boundaries of the purchase]. Blessed is Hashem who has helped us until here — for you know the greatness of the sufferings and the consuming of eyes [כִּלְיוֹן עֵינַיִם — a biblical phrase from D'vorim 28:65 — eyes consumed with longing and anguish — applied to Reb Nussun's months of anxious watching over the building project] that I had over this — beyond all measure. And until here Hashem's mercies have helped me — the site is already firmly in our possession with great force, with the help of Hashem Yisborach. And it is likely that I will travel tomorrow, G-d willing, to Uman — to lay the foundation. But I still have some doubts — perhaps I will wait until the coming week, G-d willing. And may Hashem lead us in the straight and true path — in a manner that I merit to begin and to complete this holy building — swiftly and speedily [חִישׁ קַל מְהֵרָה — a liturgical phrase from the holiday and Shabbos prayers for the final redemption and the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash. Reb Nussun applies this Temple-restoration language to the kloyz in Uman, placing the earthly building project within the framework of the eschatological sacred restoration].

And in Hashem's kindnesses we rejoiced greatly last Shabbos — with much joy and much dancing [בְּשִׂמְחָה וְרִקּוּדִין הַרְבֵּה — the Breslov tradition of dancing as sacred service, practiced especially at Shabbos gatherings and at Rosh Hashanah in Uman] — with the help of Hashem Yisborach — for we had worthy guests. And also the holy grandson of our Teacher Rabbi Yosef of Kaminke — and from one side the grandson of the holy Rav of Lintz [Distinguished guests from two revered communities; the messenger of this letter will describe the gathering in full] — as the messenger of this letter will tell you. Listen and rejoice at the salvation of Hashem which has helped us until here.

Would that we merit to exult and rejoice always in His wondrous salvation — in which He has wrought wonders of kindness with us — making us hear awesome things such as have never been heard in the world and so forth. More than this there is no need to extend — for I am very distracted now — and the messenger of this letter will tell you everything. And may Hashem the Good complete things for us for good speedily — may our eyes see and our hearts rejoice [יִרְאוּ עֵינֵינוּ וְיִשְׂמַח לִבֵּנוּ — an echo of the Rosh Chodesh and Yom Tov liturgical blessing — the completion of longing through beholding, paired with the inner response of joy] with the help of Hashem Yisborach. The words of your father — who gives thanks for the past and petitions for what is to come — and to Hashem belongs the salvation. [מוֹדֶה עַל הֶעָבָר וּמְבַקֵּשׁ עַל לְהַבָּא וְלַה' הַיְשׁוּעָה — a three-part spiritual posture: gratitude for what has been, petition for what is yet to come, acknowledgment that salvation belongs entirely to Hashem alone [Tehillim 3:9]. This formula appeared as a teaching in Letter 48; here it becomes the signature of the letter — a complete theology of time and trust in three phrases] Nussun of Breslov.

[Hebrew: נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב...]