He received his letter just now — and he yearned to write to him at length — but his mind is not clear. And it is necessary to inform him of his pain. For his son Dovid Tzvi — may he live — fell ill again yesterday before the light of morning of Wednesday — and cried out in a bitter voice about his pain — and he has been lying on a bed of illness from yesterday until now — the likes of which has not passed over him. And yesterday his pain was very heavy — and in the night it was somewhat eased for him for some hours — and likewise today — but he is still lying on a bed of illness. And the mercy upon him is beyond measure.

And he has only to Hashem his eyes raised and his hands spread toward His abundant mercies and chasadim — from the treasury of free gift may He graciously grant him — through the merit and great power of the great eshel upon which we lean [הָאֵשֶׁל הַגָּדוֹל — the great eshel — Bereishis 21:33: Avraham planted an eshel in Be'er Sheva. The Sages interpret eshel as an acronym for *achilas* (eating), *sh'tiyah* (drinking), *linah* (lodging) — hospitality — or as a tree under which the wayfarers could rest. Reb Nussun uses the term for the Rebbe — the great *eshel* — the great tree — the shelter and support — under whose shade and merit he appeals to Hashem for his son's healing] — and send him quickly complete healing from heaven — healing of the soul and healing of the body — and to Hashem the salvation. And even so one must strengthen oneself to believe that all is for good. And praised be Hashem he is firm in this — but His mercies Yisborach are very abundant — and he beseeches and pleads: *"El Shaddai yitein lachem rachamim"* — "and may G-d Almighty give you mercy" [Bereishis 43:14] — plainly — that he return to his strength in completeness quickly.

And you — warn all the anshei sh'lomaynu that they pray and beseech greatly to Hashem Yisborach for him — have much mercy on him — in particular since our pain touches all of them — and Hashem Yisborach will have mercy. And the bearer of this letter is pressing — and it is impossible to extend. And even so — my son — do not be drawn after sadness — G-d forbid — too much — rather beseech mercy and trust in Hashem — for He will certainly heal him quickly and will not let loose all His anger — G-d forbid. For the chasadim of Hashem are not finished and His mercies do not cease. And if Hashem wills — he will inform him of his salvation — with Hashem's help.