Ullim LeTroofah
עלים לתרופה
Leaves for Healing
LETTER TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE
Blessed be Hashem  ·  Tuesday, Parshas Va'eira — Breslov  ·  Year 5599 (1839)
To Peace — to my beloved son — the rabbinical scholar — and so forth — our Teacher the Rabbi Yitzchok — may he live — with all who go forth from his loins — may they live.

To write you words of truth — he does not know from where to begin. Praised be G-d — on the past Shabbosim — beautiful and true words were spoken — and a true arousal and immense strengthening — to begin at every time to pour out one's speech before Hashem Yisborach — and to strengthen oneself with good desires and longings always — and to accustom oneself to specify them from a full mouth every day.

And in particular in the night — in the long nights as now — to fulfil: *"ezkera n'ginasi balailah — im l'vavi asicha — va'y'chapes ruchi"* — "I will remember my song in the night — with my heart I will talk — and my spirit will search" [Tehillim 77:7] [אֶזְכְּרָה נְגִינָתִי בַּלַּיְלָה עִם לְבָבִי אָשִׂיחָה וַיְחַפֵּשׂ רוּחִי — this verse is a central text of Breslov practice: in the long nights of winter — when the world is dark and the heart feels empty — one must remember one's nigun — one's melody — the good point within oneself — and speak with one's own heart — and search one's spirit — perhaps there is still hope] — and to explain to oneself this verse well — how one must converse with oneself — with one's heart — and remember one's song — in the aspect of the good — and search one's spirit — perhaps even so there is still hope to merit to what all the upright and true tzaddikim merited. For every person in every level — even if he is on the lowest rung — must say every time: when will my deeds reach the deeds of my fathers — for choice is free — but all should be for drawing close and not for distancing further — G-d forbid — as we have spoken about this countless times. More than this there is no leisure to extend.

The words of your father who awaits the salvation of Hashem for each and every one — in general and in particular — in this world and the coming world — forever.

Nussun of Breslov.

And peace to all our anshei sh'lomaynu — with great and immense love — without end and limit — forever.

Postscript — Added After Signing Especially he forgot — *"taki fort hop"* — "but in all this — only joyful." [טַאקֶי פָארְט הָאפּ — Yiddish: "but in all this only joyful." The verb hop is from Yiddish hobn — to have — here in the imperative sense: "be joyful." Reb Nussun adds this urgent postscript precisely because he almost forgot it — which is how it always goes with joy. It is the last thing one remembers — yet it is the most essential of all] For more than anything one must strengthen oneself in joy.

Overview: Tuesday, Parshas Va'eira — Breslov. To Yitzchok. To write him words of truth — he does not know from where to begin. Praised be G-d — on the past Shabbosim — beautiful and true words were spoken — and a true arousal and immense strengthening — to begin at every time to pour out one's speech before Hashem Yisborach — and to strengthen oneself with good desires and longings always — and to accustom oneself to specify them from a full mouth every day. And in particular in the night — in the long nights as now — to fulfil: "ezkera n'ginasi balailah — im l'vavi asicha — va'y'chapes ruchi." And to explain to oneself this verse well — how one must converse with oneself with one's heart — and remember one's melody — in the aspect of the good — and search one's spirit — perhaps there is still hope to merit to what all the upright and true tzaddikim merited. For every person in every level — even if he is on the lowest rung — must say every time: when will my deeds reach the deeds of my fathers — for choice is free — but all should be for drawing close and not for distancing further — G-d forbid. More than this there is no leisure to extend. Postscript: especially he forgot — "taki fort hop" — but in all this only joyful — for more than anything one must strengthen oneself in joy.

Key Themes

Ezkera N'Ginasi Balailah — In the Long Nights — Remember Your Melody — Search Your Spirit In the night — in the long nights as now — to fulfil: "ezkera n'ginasi balailah — im l'vavi asicha — va'y'chapes ruchi." To converse with oneself with one's heart — and remember one's song — in the aspect of the good — and search one's spirit — perhaps there is still hope. Every person — even on the lowest rung — must say every time: when will my deeds reach the deeds of my fathers. Choice is free.
Taki Fort Hop — But in All This Only Joyful — More Than Anything Strengthen Yourself in Joy Especially he forgot — "taki fort hop" — but in all this only joyful. For more than anything one must strengthen oneself in joy. This postscript — added after the letter was already signed — captures a central truth of Reb Nussun's teaching: joy is the last thing one remembers — yet it is the most essential of all.