Your letter I received through the bearer of this letter — our dear friend Rabbi Nachman from Tulchin — along with one silver ruble from our friend Rabbi Shimshon — may his light shine — and also the iron quills. And he came to my upper chamber room just as our *anshei sh'lomaynu* were standing before me and I was speaking with them about the matter of the *machloket* that has newly erupted — in the midst of which the above-mentioned Rabbi Nachman came — and I read his letter — and so too he told me verbally.
And if it is fitting to cry out in weeping over a distress and oppression such as this — even so — I strengthened myself and fortified myself in joy — for the joy of Hashem — she is our stronghold — for the essential thing is to strengthen oneself in joy. [Nechemiah 8:10] Only — in some specific designated hour — certainly in secret my soul will weep [בַּמִּסְתָּרִים תִּבְכֶּה נַפְשִׁי — Yirmiyahu 13:17: v'im lo tishme'uha b'mistarin tivkeh nafshi mipnei ga'avah v'damo tidag einah dam'ah — "and if you do not hear it — in secret my soul will weep because of pride — and my eye will weep bitterly." The prophet weeps in secret over the people's failure to heed — the private grief of the one who cares deeply but cannot force the change. Applied here: in the designated hour of *chatzos* or private prayer — the soul weeps in secret over the persecutions. But in the main time — joy] [Yirmiyahu 13:17] — over persecutions like these.
And now — my son — my soul and my heart — and all our dear *anshei sh'lomaynu* — place your hearts well toward all the words that have already been spoken between us — for Hashem Yisborach has already preceded the cure to the blow through the seven who restore reason [שִׁבְעָה מְשִׁיבֵי טַעַם — an idiom for those who restore a person's composure and sound judgment — the seven wise counselors who bring one back to clarity from confusion or despair. The *shivah meshivei ta'am* are the holy words of the Rebbe's teachings — which have already been given before the blow — *refuah kodem lamakah* — the remedy anticipated before the wound] — which are the holy words you have heard from my mouth and from the holy books — which have the power to revive each and every one also at this time. As most of our *anshei sh'lomaynu* have been newly aroused through this new *machloket* — and all of them say that they have been awakened and roused from their sleep through this *machloket* — and now my children — do not be saddened and do not let it be displeasing in your eyes — for Hashem is with us — do not fear them [Bamidbar 14:9; Bereishis 45:5].
And regarding the question — whether to pray in the Kloyz — I have placed my words in the mouth of the bearer of this letter: that my opinion leans more that he should not enter the Kloyz this Shabbos — and it seems to me that he should establish a place in the Ir Chadash [עִיר חָדָשׁ — the New Town — the newer settlement adjacent to Breslov — where the *anshei sh'lomaynu* pray and where there is no presence of opponents to threaten or humiliate] — where our *anshei sh'lomaynu* pray — and beyond this I spoke with the bearer of this letter. And behold — midnight has arrived — and it is also Erev Shabbos Kodesh — and you too will understand from yourself that I now need greatly to settle myself between myself and my Creator — and perhaps I will merit to pour out my speech before Him — Yisborach — that He have compassion on our shame and so forth — therefore I am compelled to be brief. And you will receive the copy of the letter I prepared for the Rav today before dawn. And in this too you will see the wonders of Hashem — that Hashem Yisborach arranged in my mind today to write this letter — and you will counsel me how to conduct yourself in this — and further details you will hear from the mouth of the bearer of this letter.
The words of your father — who is greatly persecuted — and who flees at every time to Hashem Yisborach — and in His great mercy He strengthens us and saves us in joy — for in Him our heart shall rejoice [כִּי בוֹ יִשְׂמַח לִבֵּנוּ — Tehillim 33:21: ki vo yismach libeinu ki v'shem kodsho vatachnu — "for in Him our heart shall rejoice — for we have trusted in His holy Name." The verse of the heart's joy as rooted not in circumstances but in trust in Hashem Himself. The closing of the letter: however great the persecutions — the heart's joy is in Him — not in the absence of trouble but in the presence of the One trusted] [Tehillim 33:21] and so forth.
Nussun of Breslov.
Overview: Erev Shabbos Parshas Vayishlach. Rabbi Nachman from Tulchin arrives with a letter and one ruble from Rabbi Shimshon plus the iron quills. New *machloket* has just erupted while the *anshei sh'lomaynu* were assembled. *Chedvas Hashem hi ma'uzenu* (Nechemiah 8:10). *Bamistarin tivkeh nafshi* (Yirmiyahu 13:17) — the private weeping of the soul in its designated hour; but in the main time — joy. *Shivah meshivei ta'am* — the holy words already given before the blow. Most *anshei sh'lomaynu* were actually awakened from their sleep by this *machloket*. Advice on prayer: not the Kloyz but the Ir Chadash. *Chatzos lailah* — midnight has arrived. *Ki vo yismach libeinu* (Tehillim 33:21). Closing: the words of your father who is greatly persecuted and flees at every time to Hashem.