Ullim LeTroofah – Letter One Hundred and Thirty-Nine | Reb Nussun: Letter to Rabbi Chayyim HaKohein of Lvov — I Rejoice at Your Words as One Who Finds Great Plunder

Ullim LeTroofah

עלים לתרופה

Leaves for Healing

The Sacred Letters of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and Reb Nussun of Breslov, of blessed memory

LETTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-NINE

With the help of Hashem Yisborach · Monday, Parshas Naso · Year 5594 (1834) Written from Breslov — addressed to Rabbi Chayyim HaKohein of Lvov

To From afar I call peace to my beloved in-law — my friend like my own soul — the eminent scholarly leader — the renowned benefactor — the chain of distinguished lineage — our Teacher the Rabbi Chayyim HaKohein [מוֹרֵנוּ הָרַב חַיִּים הַכֹּהֵן — Rabbi Chayyim the Kohen of Lvov: the distinguished relative who visited Reb Nussun's home in Letters 136 and 137 and showed interest in enabling the printing of the Rebbe's books in Lvov]. May Hashem be with him and may he rise higher and higher in Torah and greatness — until Shiloh comes [עַד כִּי יָבוֹא שִׁילֹה — B'reishis 49:10: Yaakov's blessing of Yehudah: "the sceptre shall not depart from Yehudah — nor the lawgiver from between his feet — until Shiloh comes." A Messianic blessing applied as a formula of aspiration: may he grow until the coming of Mashiach] . Omain, so may it be His will.

His pleasant words have illuminated my face — and I rejoice at his words as one who finds great plunder [שָׂשׂ אָנֹכִי עַל אִמְרוֹתָיו כְּמוֹצֵא שָׁלָל רָב — Tehillim 119:162: sas anochi al imrasecha k'motzei shalal rav — "I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great plunder." The verse of the person overwhelmed by the finding of divine words — the rejoicing is not quiet pleasure but the exhilaration of someone who has discovered an unexpected treasure of immense value. Applied to Rabbi Chayyim's pleasant words and his openness to helping with the printing: his words are themselves a discovery of great plunder] [Tehillim 119:162]. And I requested from his excellency — that when he arrives in peace at his home — the dwelling of holiness — he should not be lax in fulfilling his promise to write to me immediately of his good welfare. And especially regarding the printing — that he see to speak with the printers there — whether I can print our books there — and how much he wishes for them — and in what manner he would agree to print — and whether there are buyers nearby for them. He should inquire about all of this according to his wisdom — and inform me immediately — to the holy community of Tulchin — to my son Rabbi Yitzchok Shterinhartz — as is known to his excellency. Beyond this — time does not permit extending. And may his peace grow — and may Hashem make him succeed in all that he turns to — may he yet flourish in fine old age [עוֹד יָנוּב בְּשֵׂיבָה טוֹבָה — Tehillim 92:15: od yenuvu b'seivah d'shenim v'ra'ananim yihyu — "they shall still flourish in old age — full of sap and fresh." The continuation of the Psalm of Shabbos (*Mizmor Shir l'Yom haShabbos*). Applied here as a blessing for R' Chayyim: may he continue to flourish and be fresh even in old age] [Tehillim 92:15] — and be like a well-watered garden [וְהָיָה כְּגַן רָטֹב — Yirmiyahu 31:12: v'haya nefasham k'gan raveh v'lo yosifu l'da'avah od — "and their soul shall be like a well-watered garden — and they shall not pine any more." The verse of the Messianic restoration: the people of Israel flourishing like a well-watered garden, no longer sorrowful. Applied as a blessing: may R' Chayyim be like that garden — perpetually nourished and flourishing] [Yirmiyahu 31:12].

The words of his true lover forever — who awaits his reply.

Nussun of Breslov.

Overview: Monday, Parshas Naso — written from Breslov. A letter addressed directly to Rabbi Chayyim HaKohein of Lvov, asking him to follow through on the printing possibility. *Sasos anochi al imrosav k'motzei shalal rav* (Tehillim 119:162) — his words are like discovering great plunder. Practical request: speak with the Lvov printers, get prices and conditions, report to Yitzchok in Tulchin. *Od yanev b'seivah tovah* (Tehillim 92:15). *V'haya k'gan ratov* (Yirmiyahu 31:12) — Messianic flourishing as a closing blessing.

Key Themes

Sasos Anochi Al Imrosav — Tehillim 119:162 "I rejoice at his words as one who finds great plunder." The exhilaration of discovering an unexpected treasure of immense value — applied to Rabbi Chayyim's pleasant words and openness to helping. His words are themselves a discovery of great spiritual plunder.

The Printing in Lvov — Practical Follow-Up Speak with the printers, get prices and conditions, ask if there are buyers. Report immediately to Yitzchok in Tulchin. The Rebbe's books reaching Galicia — *yafutzu mayanosav chutzah* (Mishlai 5:16) made concrete in practical steps.

Od Yanev B'seivah Tovah — Tehillim 92:15 "He shall still flourish in fine old age — full of sap and fresh." From the Psalm of Shabbos. A blessing of perpetual freshness and vitality even in old age — applied as a personal blessing for the recipient.

V'haya K'gan Ratov — Yirmiyahu 31:12 "And be like a well-watered garden." The Messianic restoration verse: the people of Israel flourishing like a perpetually nourished garden, no longer sorrowful. Applied as a closing blessing of inexhaustible flourishing.