Ullim LeTroofah – Letter Twenty-One | Reb Nussun: The Get, New Strength

Ullim LeTroofah

עלים לתרופה

Leaves for Healing

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

LETTER TWENTY-ONE

Sunday, Parshas Mas'ay, 23rd of Tammuz · Year 5585 (1825)
Written from Tcherin

Blessed be Hashem

Part One — To Rabbi Naftali Peace to the honor of my beloved, the friend of my soul — the veteran and distinguished scholar, and so forth — our Teacher the Rabbi Naftali — may his light shine and radiate.

✦ Good Mazal ✦ Good mazal! Blessed be Hashem — she received the get (bill of divorce) on Wednesday of last week's Parshas Pinchas in the holy community of Medvedevka. And may it be His will that it should be for a good mazal. And may Hashem Yisborach speedily provide for my son, may he live, his fitting match from Heaven — in such a manner that he merits to be a truly upright man in truth — for in this alone have I desired. And may Hashem, the Good One, do what is good.

· · · ✦ · · ·

Part Two — To His Son Yitzchok Peace to my son, my dear one, the delight of my eyes — the veteran and outstanding scholar — our Teacher the Rabbi Yitzchok — may his light shine and radiate.

I have already informed you above of everything. And may Hashem Yisborach be with you and cause you to succeed from now on with true and eternal success. And know, my son, the friend of my soul:

I had very great toil, and wearing out of the eyes, and many sufferings, and much conflict of counsel, and so forth — before it came to its final completion that she should receive the get. And how many tears were shed over this — as I shall tell you face to face, if G-d wills it. And were it not for Hashem's help to me, it would not have been possible for the completion to come so quickly. And how very mighty are the kindnesses of Hashem and His wonders that He performed with me in these days — until it came to its conclusion in peace — as I will inform you a little, if G-d wills it.

And all these sufferings and all this effort — I took the trouble for no one but you — in order to rescue you from what you needed to be rescued from. Perhaps I will merit to see your everlasting joy — that you merit to walk in the straight path that we received from our holy Master, may the memory of the righteous and holy one be for a blessing.

Therefore be strong, my son — be strong — and do not forget all the kindnesses of Hashem Yisborach that He has bestowed upon you until now. And bind yourself and your thoughts so as not to let your thought wander outward — as you have been accustomed until now — for the choice is in your hand in this and in everything, as I have spoken with you many times.

More than this there is no time to elaborate now — for I am needed to travel to Krementchuk as above. And do not take to heart the matter of returning the above-mentioned objects — for this too is for the good. And I hope to Hashem Yisborach that you will speedily receive a new fringed tallis — and new strength and renewed power to strengthen yourself fresh in the service of Hashem — and you will forget all the troubles that have passed over you. For Hashem will not abandon you — for the sake of the name of our Master, of blessed memory, which is called upon us.

The words of your father who waits to rejoice in your salvation for eternity.

Nussun, as above.

✦ Letters of the Year 5586 ✦

Overview: Written from Tcherin in Tammuz 5585, this letter announces — with a burst of mazal tov — the completion of a difficult divorce proceeding on behalf of Reb Nussun's son Yitzchok. The letter is structured in two parts: first a brief announcement to the beloved Rabbi Naftali, then a longer, deeply personal address to Yitzchok himself — disclosing the tears, toil, and divine help involved, and closing with a beautiful image of a new tallis and renewed strength.

Key Themes

All of This Was for You Reb Nussun's disclosure — "all these sufferings and all this effort — I took the trouble for no one but you" — is one of the most moving statements of fatherly sacrifice in the collection. He does not hide the cost. He names it fully, so that his son understands the depth of his father's love and the gravity of the path now open before him.

Were It Not for Hashem's Help The acknowledgment — "were it not for Hashem's help to me, it would not have been possible for the completion to come so quickly" — is characteristic of Reb Nussun's theological honesty. He does not take credit for the outcome. Even his own effort is credited to Divine assistance.

A New Tallis The image of a new fringed tallis — received after the old one must be returned — is simultaneously literal and deeply symbolic. The tallis is the garment of kedushah (holiness) and prayer. A new one, with new fringes, means a new beginning, a new covenant with the service of Hashem.

For the Sake of Our Master's Name The closing assurance — "Hashem will not abandon you — for the sake of the name of our Master, of blessed memory, which is called upon us" — is one of the most direct statements of Breslov belief: that being bound to Rebbe Nachman's name is itself a source of protection and Divine favour in this world.

Note on Parshas Mas'ay

The letter is written on Parshas Mas'ay — the portion of journeys, listing all forty-two encampments of Israel in the wilderness. Reb Nussun is himself on a journey — he mentions he must travel to Krementchuk — and his son has just completed a painful personal passage. The portion of Mas'ay, which ends with arrival at the border of the Promised Land, resonates quietly behind this letter of painful completion and hopeful new beginning.