I am now prepared to travel to Uman in peace — and Hashem Yisborach for the sake of His mercies will do and lead us in tracks of righteousness for the sake of His name. Just now there is no time at all to write anything — for I am very preoccupied — and the bearer of this letter is my friend who is also very very pressed. And I have already replied to him in advance in his letter that he sent him before any letter reached him from him — as is known to you.
And you already know greatly — that it is inevitable that many many changes pass over a person every day. And one must believe that all is for good — even all the kinds of confusions and obstacles that pass every day — and especially in the distress of these times — in these end of days — about which it is said (Devarim 7): *"batzar l'cha... b'acharit hayamim v'shavta ad Hashem Elokecha"* [Devarim 4:30] — and Israel are in great distress in general and in particular. And our life-force is only through His abundant chasadim — as it is written (Eichah 3): "va'omar avad nitzchi... zos ashiv el libi... chasdei Hashem ki lo samu... chadashim labekarim" and so forth. And he has already spoken greatly about this — and still one must speak about this. For you are still astonished at what is done with you every day — and you seek to sit in tranquility. He too desires this — but who merits to this — especially in these times — *"eis tzarah hi l'Yaakov u'mimennah yivvashei'a."* [Yirmiyahu 30:7] Only one must turn the grief and sigh to joy — in that even so we merit to all the good points that we snatch every day. *Zos nechamasi b'anyei.* [Tehillim 119:50] More than this there is no leisure to extend — and from the immensity of his love and yearning he was compelled to remind him of these few words — and more than this you already know from long ago — *hafoch bahem v'hafoch bahem* — and every day may they be in your eyes as completely new — *kaveh laHashem v'yosha' l'cha.*
The words of your father who awaits salvation at every time.
Nussun of Breslov.
And peace to all our anshei sh'lomaynu with great love.
I arrived here at the break of day — and found what my soul loves — his precious letter — in my eyes — with a sound of good tidings — that praised be G-d — an engagement has been made for good fortune with his son — may he live. *"Sas anochi al imrosecha k'motzei shalal rav."* [Tehillim 119:162] And now my hands are spread out to Hashem — that we merit that it will be for good fortune. May their shoots grow — and may it be like the glory of an olive tree — and like a well-watered garden — still bear fruit in a good old age. And may we merit to see sons and grandsons from them — engaged in Torah and mitzvos. And to inform our sons and our sons' sons — all the acts of Hashem and His wonders and His chasadim — that we see in every generation and every day and every time. *"Rabbot asita atah Hashem."* His chesed has prevailed over us — and the truth of Hashem is forever.
And behold — my beloved son — from this too you can see the acts of Hashem and His wonders — for there is a time and a season for every desire. [לַכֹּל זְמַן וְעֵת לְכָל חֵפֶץ — Koheles 3:1. The marvel of the shidduch comes to illustrate the deeper marvel: that Hashem's providence works through the natural flow of time — each thing in its own season — and every seemingly ordinary event is a demonstration of His acts] As one sees the wonders of Hashem in matters of shidduchim and affairs done from afar — so can one wonder even more at the shidduchim and affairs done close by [here there is a small lacuna in the original] — for besides this everything is vanity. And he has already spoken greatly about this. But one must return to this every day and keep this memory well — for it is your life forever. And more than this there is no leisure to extend — due to the pressing of the post. And peace to you and to your household — and Hashem will strengthen your heart that you begin from now to renew your days for good. And He will make you successful in all that you turn — and raise your horn on high. And we will merit in His chesed Yisborach to rejoice quickly with the joy of your sons and all those who go forth from your loins. *Nagilah v'nismecha bishu'aso.*
The words of your father who intercedes on your behalf and awaits to rejoice in you — as it is written: "chacham b'ni v'same'ach libi" — Amen so may it be His will.
Nussun of Breslov.
Overview: Two letters preserved together. Part One: Monday, Parshas Bo — prepared to travel to Uman in peace — Hashem will lead us in tracks of righteousness. No time to write — very preoccupied — and the bearer is also very pressed. Already replied to him in advance in his letter that he sent before any letter arrived from him. You already know greatly — it is inevitable that many many changes pass over a person every day. And one must believe that all is for good — even all the kinds of confusions and obstacles. Israel are in great distress in general and in particular — and our life-force is only through His abundant chasadim — "va'omar avad nitzchi... zos ashiv el libi... chasdei Hashem ki lo samu... chadashim labekarim." For you are still astonished at what is done with you every day — and you seek to sit in tranquility. He too desires this — but who merits to this — especially in these times — "eis tzarah hi l'Yaakov u'mimennah yivvashei'a." Only one must turn the grief and sigh to joy — in that even so we merit to all the good points we snatch every day. Zos nechamasi b'anyei. From the immensity of his love and yearning he was compelled to remind him of these few words — and more than this you already know from long ago — hafoch bahem v'hafoch bahem — and every day may they be in your eyes as completely new — kaveh laHashem v'yosha' l'cha. Part Two: Tuesday, Parshas B'shalach — Uman. To Rabbi Shachna and especially to grandson Nachman the groom. Arrived at the break of day and found what his soul loves — his precious letter — with a sound of good tidings — that praised be G-d — an engagement has been made for good fortune with his son. "Sas anochi al imrosecha k'motzei shalal rav." His hands are spread out to Hashem. May their shoots grow — like the glory of an olive tree — like a well-watered garden — still bear fruit in a good old age. May we merit to see sons and grandsons from them engaged in Torah and mitzvos — and to inform our sons and sons' sons — all the acts of Hashem and His wonders and His chasadim. "Rabbot asita atah Hashem." His chesed has prevailed over us — and the truth of Hashem is forever. And behold — from this too you can see the acts of Hashem and His wonders — for there is a time and a season for every desire. As one sees the wonders of Hashem in shidduchim and affairs done from afar — so can one wonder even more at the shidduchim done close by — for besides this everything is vanity. One must return to this every day and keep this memory well — for it is your life forever. And more than this there is no leisure to extend. Hashem will strengthen your heart that you begin from now to renew your days for good. Nagilah v'nismecha bishu'aso.