Siman 191

(7.) Tuesday the 18th of Tishrei — the second day of Chol HaMoed Sukkos — towards evening, of the year 5571 [1810], the ark of G-d was taken, and the light of Israel was removed — the glory of our master, teacher, and Rabbi — the supernal lamp, the holy precious lamp — the hidden and stored light — our teacher Rabbi Nachman, may the memory of the holy and righteous be for a blessing. And he was buried the next day — Wednesday — in Uman, in the place he chose for himself during his lifetime, as is explained in this book in the Conversations — where it is stated explicitly that it was good in his eyes to be buried in Uman, because a very great kiddush Hashem [sanctification of G-d's name] occurred there, as is well known. Also the main purpose of his passing was because of the holy ones who were killed there, as we understood from his words — for he told that there are tens of thousands of souls there that he needed to elevate. Also on the second day of Chol HaMoed mentioned above — one day before his passing — he answered and said to me: "Do you remember the tale I told you?" I said to him: "Which tale?" He replied: "The tale of the Baal Shem Tov of blessed memory that I told you at the time I entered Uman." I replied: "Yes." He answered and said: "This has been a long time that they have been watching for me to seize me here." Then he answered and said again: "Not thousands of souls here — but tens of thousands upon tens of thousands." Also on the following night he told about this matter too and said: "How many trials and how many holy ones etc. were here." And he said: "Why should you worry — since I am going before you. Those of our people who died earlier had reason to worry — but you, since I am going before you, you have nothing to worry about at all." "And if the souls who did not know me at all are waiting for my rectifications — how much more so you!"