I arrived home safely on Friday — the eve of the past holy Shabbos — and your letter I received in Uman, and it was a comfort to me. Also continue to inform us of the welfare of Rabbi Mordechai and his student Rabbi Yaakov — what has become of them — and Rabbi Yaakov in particular: what is he doing? [וְרַבִּי יַעֲקֹב מַאי עֲבִידְתֵּהּ — Talmudic Aramaic: mai avidtayh — literally "what is his occupation / condition?" This is the standard Talmudic idiom for enquiring after someone's situation (cf. Brochos 27b, Sanhedrin 106b, and many other passages). Reb Nussun slips into Aramaic mid-sentence to ask about the young man — a register of casual, intimate enquiry] Is he still holding to his integrity — persevering at the doors of truth — drawing near to the people of truth in truth? [אִם עוֹדֶנּוּ מַחֲזִיק בְּתֻמָּתוֹ — an echo of Iyov 2:9, where Iyov's wife asks: "are you still holding to your integrity?" — here applied positively: is Rabbi Yaakov still holding firm on the path of truth?] May Hashem the Good strengthen his heart and guide him in the true path — for the days of youth and the blackness of hair are vanity [Koheles 11:10] — and he will surely be happy in his old age if he chooses truth in his youth. More than this it is impossible to extend further — in the open field [עַל פְּנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה — writing in transit, not at a proper desk] — and in particular because I am very distracted [טָרִידְנָא טוּבָא — Talmudic Aramaic: "I am greatly preoccupied." This phrase appears regularly in the Talmud to explain why one cannot respond more fully (cf. Shabbos 3a, Eruvin 52b). Together with mai avidtayh, it gives the opening of this paragraph a distinctly Aramaic-flavoured intimacy, as between two colleagues well-versed in the rabbinic idiom].
But know, my sons, and see — that thanks be to G-d in Hashem's kindnesses I have strengthened myself — and I have already purchased the foundation timbers for the building [פּוּדְוָואלִינֶעס — the Slavic term for the foundation beams or base logs, the heavy timbers laid as the groundwork for a wooden structure] — and they have already been brought to the site — and not one person opened his mouth or chirped. [לֹא הָיָה שׁוּם פּוֹצֶה וּמְצַפְצֵף — a biblical idiom from Yeshayah 10:14 meaning no one protested or raised any objection; the hostile opposition Reb Nussun had feared did not materialise] On the contrary — many of the neighbours came out and blessed that we should merit to complete the building of the holy place and so forth as is customary.
Go and see the works of Hashem [Tehillim 46:9] — and remember this greatly. But we still need salvation and mercy to merit to begin and complete it soon. And I returned home because the seller of the site was not in his house. And now I am ready every day to return and travel to Uman — to remain there until after Rosh Hashanah which comes upon us for good — and to lay the foundation there. May Hashem help us in His mercy for the sake of His great Name.
And from yourself you will understand how much you need to request and urge my friend Rabbi Shimshon to send me the sum he promised — at once, without any delay whatsoever. And he himself will understand the great merit that will be his when he has a portion in the foundation of such a holy and awesome building — for the greater his portion grows, the greater his reward forever. And he can also merit through this to eternal building — offspring of endurance [זֶרַע שֶׁל קַיָּמָא — seed that endures: the traditional blessing for a childless or bereaved person — may Hashem grant enduring progeny. Reb Nussun hints that Rabbi Shimshon could merit children through this merit]. May Hashem remember him with mercy speedily.
And also let him be careful to fulfil what he undertook — to come to Uman soon — for there is no better support for him than this, as he knows in his own soul. And certainly I would have needed to write him much — to remind him of the kindness of his youth — the greatness of his love and his longing toward truth then [חֶסֶד נְעוּרָיו — the kindness of his youth: an echo of Yirmiyahu 2:2 — "I remember for you the kindness of your youth, the love of your betrothal." Reb Nussun recalls the earlier, more ardent phase of Rabbi Shimshon's spiritual life and invokes that memory as a summons to return to it] — but from yourselves you will understand my distraction now. And there is yet a vision for the appointed time, G-d willing [cf. Chavakuk 2:3].
And receive the long letter enclosed here — from Rabbi Aharon ben Shmuel of Teplik, brother of Rabbi Mordechai — and hand it to him. And give it also for Rabbi Shimshon to read — so that all of you can see the greatness of the importance of the books there. May Hashem Yisborach have mercy on His people Israel — that his wellsprings spread outward [cf. Mishlai 5:16] — for on them depend all the salvations of all Israel forever. And urge yourself very much to send me a clear reply at once. And may Hashem the Good do what is right. Hashem will complete for me [Tehillim 138:8] and so forth.
And now, my sons and my brothers — be strong and resolute and begin anew — and in particular in this awesome and exalted month — the days of favour in which Moshe Rabbainu ascended on high [The month of Elul, during which Moshe ascended Sinai a third time for the second set of Tablets, spending forty days in G-d's presence — a period of divine favour and receptivity for teshuvah] — and be very careful to sanctify your thoughts from now on at any rate — not to think foreign thoughts. For the thought is in the person's hand and so forth — as you have already heard much of this. And Hashem will save you.
The words of your father — who seeks your peace always with love and awaits your reply speedily.
Nussun of Breslov.
Overview: A letter of milestone and momentum. The foundation timbers for the building at the tziyun have been purchased and brought to the site — not one person protested. Neighbours blessed the work. Reb Nussun is moved: go and see the works of Hashem. The letter opens with two Talmudic Aramaic phrases — mai avidtayh and taridna tuva — signalling casual, intimate collegial register. Two further allusions follow: Rabbi Yaakov's integrity echoes Iyov 2:9; Rabbi Shimshon's earlier spiritual ardour is recalled through Yirmiyahu 2:2 — the kindness of your youth. The Elul postscript calls everyone to renew themselves in the forty days of favour when Moshe ascended on high.