Rosh Hashana 5691 at Uman — The Gathering — Distribution of Money — R' Shmuel's Longing to Return

The letter was delayed until today. And now — I have already received the money. And what shall I say to you — [Yiddish:] "You aimed exactly at the target. You will truly give life to the fellowship who serve Hashem truly on the festival. And in total there is to distribute the sum of 90 rubles. And I divided the money into two parts: half on the eve of the first festival — and half on Hoshana Rabbah. And I am also giving notes with the names — to each one, that they pray for you. And I also took from this to pay for a minyan at the holy Tzion — at midnight — for three times [three nights; a midnight prayer gathering at Rabbainu's grave on behalf of those who sent donations]. That is: they will go three nights and pray for you. And I will also register your names — so that every time there is a minyan — they will always pray for you. Believe me — you aimed exactly at the target. This time more than anything I have done — with everything I sent all this time — as is known to you. And it is always good — only in this way."

And now — for my sake, my dear beloved brothers, precious to me as my soul — please have compassion and pity and mercy on me — immediately — to take counsel. Perhaps you can finally send me a formal request. Go to Rav Kook [Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook — the Chief Rabbi of Mandate Palestine; R' Shmuel's father apparently wrote to Rav Kook on his behalf]. (I received word from my father that he sent a letter to Rav Kook on my behalf.) And take counsel with him — what can be done for me. For the manner in which I am prepared to be examined after the festival by "Aharon Leib" [apparently a code name for a particular authority or contact] — that is a fire and flame — literally. And who knows what might come of it. Perhaps you can still find a way — as mentioned above — to save me from great mortal dangers. Please reply immediately with a clear and correct answer. Rosh Hashana was blessed be G‑d — good and beautiful. There were many more people than last year — and many new souls: many young men and old men and rabbis. But only from our country [i.e., from within the Soviet Union itself — not able to come from abroad due to the border restrictions]. I am hereby sending you the confession-letter of R' Yitzchak Breiter [ר' יצחק ברייטר — a leading Breslov figure who sent a personal letter to be placed on Rabbainu's grave] that he sent to place at the Tzion. And also copy the letter I sent here to R.A.B.Tz. — and store it in the writings. And G‑d willing — after the festival I will send you a letter at length with chapter headings of what was renewed for me in the matter of practice and the service of Hashem — and all the practice we followed here this entire year, etc., etc. And I will also send some copies of the Tikkun HaKlali that were placed on the holy Tzion. And also oil from the eternal lamp [שמן מהנר תמיד — from the olive-oil lamp burning at Rabbainu's grave — the very lamp that R' Shmuel worked so hard to restore when he was in Jerusalem]. And store them carefully. And I will also write and note what you should take for yourself — and what to store for me. And all the writings I am sending you — each one — store them all for me and for you — that it be good for all of us and for all Israel. Please send olive oil — some pounds, 2–3 — for the sake of Heaven, for the sake of Heaven. And please let me know — what is this — that I wrote to you many times to write to me about the welfare of R' Yisrael Dov — and you do not reply. There is no voice and no answer. My suffering from this — and all of ours — is beyond all measure and reckoning. Please — give us life — and write at length of his good welfare — R' Yisrael Dov from Tiberias — for the sake of Heaven, for the sake of Heaven, for the sake of Heaven. And also: the welfare of my uncle R' Avner, etc., and R' Noton Chanhas, and R' Shlomo Kavler, and the woman Leah and her son Sender, etc., and Yehudah from Haifa, and all the fellowship from all the places. And please pray greatly for me always — that Hashem succeed my ways and bring me to our land — in peace — in my body and in my Torah. Amen, so may it be His will. From me — your friend: Shmuel.