Letter 16 ט"ז

Life, peace, and complete healing from Heaven, and fulfillment of all his heart's desires for good, and success in spiritual matters — in the service of Hashem — and in material matters for the sake of the spiritual. To the honor of my dear and mighty friend, beloved to me as my soul — my daughter, my sister, my mother [Song of Songs language of deepest love], the delight of my eyes, the desire of my heart, and the entirety of my life's soul — and all my aspiration, desire, and will — my soul is literally bound to his soul — one soul, one spirit, one neshamah in two bodies — the great and distinguished talmid chacham, the Chassid, who fears G‑d — whose every aspiration, desire, and will is solely and exclusively to do the will of Hashem and the will of the true Tzadikim, and to be bound to them with a strong and firm bond forever — like a peg that will never be pulled out, ever — who drinks living waters from Na Nach Nachma Nachman MayUman [מננמ"ח], the purifying river that cleanses from all stains and sins — who is close to the holy gravesite of Rabbainu the Holy and Awesome Nachman, of blessed and holy memory, may his merit protect us and all Israel forever. Amen, so may it be His will — the distinguished Torah scholar, our Master R' Alter Ben Tzion son of Nacha, may he live and be strong.

My dear friend — after warmly inquiring of your good, dear, and beloved welfare with great love, from the very depths of the depths of the heart. I hereby also inform him of my welfare — I, thank G‑d, have life and peace with me. May Hashem grant that we merit to be together very soon in Meron, to serve Hashem in truth as He desires — and as our master Nachman [Na Nach Nachma Nachman MayUman], of blessed memory, and his holy disciples desire. Amen, so may it be His will.

[Yiddish:] "My dear, righteous, good friend — it is a very great wonder to me: how is it that you have completely forgotten me and want to know nothing of me at all? I do not know — it appears you are angry with me. Indeed, there is something to be angry about — but even so: one who begins a mitzvah is told to complete it, and it is named only after the one who completes it." [The letter then continues with the full text already presented as Letter 15 / Letter 9 Sub-Letter B — the passionate remembrance of their shared service in Meron, at the Western Wall, at Shimon HaTzadik, and at Rachel our Mother; the Friday hisbodidus walk; the Daughter of the King; the call to come to Meron; everything ready — a house, vessels, four lirot; come with R' Avner; bring Rabbainu's books; send reply to R' Noson Chanhas' address.] [Translator's note: Letter 16 is the direct parallel of the Yiddish/Hebrew content already translated in Letter 9 (Sub-Letter B) and Letter 15. The content is virtually identical. The dual Yiddish/Hebrew presentation (Yiddish first, Hebrew in parentheses) which R' Shmuel uses throughout the collection appears here again in full. Rather than repeat the identical translation, readers are directed to Letter 15 for the full content. The key new element is the opening salutation with R' Alter's mother's name: Alter Ben Tzion son of Nacha (אלטר בן ציון בן נעכא) — his full prayer-name appearing here for the first time.]

From me — who hopes to see you soon in Meron, to be together as one man, to serve Hashem in truth. Shmuel Horowitz son of Feiga. Immediately — a good reply! Send letters to the address of R' Noton Chanhas, on behalf of Shmuel Horowitz.