קלט

Your letter from the 3rd of Chukas — I received it on Friday — the eve of Shabbos — before the receiving of Shabbos. And I had no leisure even to read it. And then on the night after Shabbos I read it. And I have suffering from the controversy that is in your house [המחלקת שבביתכם — "the controversy that is in your house" — a conflict or dispute within his household or immediate circle; the writer does not specify its nature but feels pain at the news] — for "our matter is sustained by affection" [Aramaic from Shabbos 10a — anan b'chavivusa talya milsa — our entire bond hangs on love and affection; any discord within the household of the Anash affects the writer personally] — and particularly with the household members.

But afterward I studied in the books of Rabbainu ז"ל — sign 250 [Likutay Moharan, sign 250 — a specific Torah discourse; the writer studied this teaching in response to hearing of the household conflict] — and afterward I studied the law on this saying — in the Laws of Handwashing, law 2. [הלכות נטילת ידים הלכה ב' — Laws of Handwashing, law 2 — from Likutay Halachos of Reb Nosson ז"ל; a law connecting the Halachah of washing hands to the deeper spiritual significance of purity and divine service; the writer found there the answer and comfort for this situation] And there is answered everything that passes over a person. And there is no counsel in this world — except faith and much prayer. And one who flees from trouble is wise. [הבורח מן הצרה הוא פקח — "one who flees from trouble is wise" — a Talmudic principle; prudent avoidance of unnecessary conflict is wisdom, not weakness] And whatever good you are able to do — do it. And may He who makes peace in His high places make peace upon us. And always be from among the pursued — and not from among the pursuers [לעולם יהיה מן הנרדפים ולא מן הרודפים — "always be from among the pursued and not from among the pursuers" — from the Talmud, Bava Kamma 93a; G-d seeks out the pursued — the one who is wronged and chased — and champions their cause; it is always better to be the one pursued than the one pursuing] — for G-d seeks out the pursued. And by all presumption — since Hashem Yisbarach seeks him out — He will surely do all good for him. And no person touches what is prepared for his companion. [אין אדם נוגע במה שמוכן לחברו — "no person touches what is prepared for his companion" — the Talmudic teaching that every person's destined portion is reserved for him alone; no one can deprive another of what Providence has designated for him] And I have much to say — but because I am in the open field [על פני השדה — "on the face of the field" — outdoors, in the open; the writer is writing away from home, in an open or field setting, without his usual writing conditions] — and because of the urgency of the wagon — only ask of Hashem Yisbarach to give you good counsel — in how to conduct yourself in this.

And also I received the letter from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — and from Reb Avraham son of Reb Yoel Tzvi, may his candle shine. And surely I pray for them. And yesterday too I was at the grave of Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes — and prayed for them. And there is no counsel and no stratagem in this world — from everything that passes over a person — except to spread out one's conversation before Hashem Yisbarach.

Words of one who truly loves you — who seeks your peace always, Nussun from Breslov

Written Tuesday, Parshas Balak, 5642 (July 1882), from Teverya. The recipient reports household conflict. Counsel from Likutay Moharan sign 250 and Laws of Handwashing law 2. Always be from among the pursued — not the pursuers. A visit to Rabbi Meir Ba'al HaNes. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן