Letter 39 ל"ט

…to my heart, my brother, my dear friend, beloved to me as my soul and heart… who drinks with me together from the flowing stream… etc. — the distinguished Torah scholar, our Master R' Yisrael Dov, may he live and be strong… of my welfare — may Hashem grant that we merit to announce and be announced to each other only good tidings…

…blessed be G‑d — a son was born to our dear friend R' M… [a name partially missing — possibly another Breslov companion who has had a child]…with a good and auspicious sign — on Tuesday, Parashas Va'era. May it be His will that they merit… to bring him into the covenant at the proper time — and may it be a good sign for us and for all Israel… [Yiddish:] "…My dear, righteous, faithful brother — my best friend [בעסטר פריינד — Yiddish: "best friend"] — please… for I am in very great trouble from every direction… great and harsh and bitter — from the side of my father-in-law and the opponents and his faction, etc. — to the point where the strength to endure has given out — and tremendous dangers — for the sake of Heaven. My dear, righteous, faithful one — have compassion on me! And arouse compassion for me! And do not cease even a moment from praying. And especially at the graves of the Tzadikim — I make you my agent to pray in my place at R' Yisrael [R' Yisrael of Kardin — buried in Tiberias] and at Rabbainu's grandfather, R' Nachman of Horodenka, and R' Avraham of Kalisk, and R' Akiva, and R' Chiya, and R' Meir the Miracle Worker [all buried in or near Tiberias and the Galilee] — and especially this coming Friday, Parashas Shemos — be without any excuse at the grave of R' Yisrael and R' Nachman etc. And tear the graves open for me! And say that you are my messenger — to pray that there be enough to my troubles — for the sake of the honor of G‑d, blessed be He, and for the sake of the honor of Rabbainu the Holy one, etc., and for the sake of the honor of the Rashbi, of blessed memory — and that I not be shamed, G‑d forbid — not in this world and not in the World to Come…"