קסא

Your letter from Monday of Vayakhel — I received yesterday — through the hired coachman Mohamad Salach. And surely I ask greatly on your behalf — and particularly on behalf of your wife, may she live — for you are to me as truly like my own sons — and your suffering is truly my own suffering. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy upon you — and fulfill in you: "it is a time of trouble for Jacob — and from it he will be saved." [Jeremiah 30:7 — "alas, for that day is great — there is none like it — and it is a time of trouble for Jacob — and from it he will be saved"; the verse of ultimate salvation emerging from within the very distress itself] And may Hashem Yisbarach remember you — with a remembrance of salvation and mercy — quickly and soon — with pregnancy and birth.

And my mind is inclined — that you should perform the spiritual remedies [סגלות — segulos — specific spiritual remedies, practices with innate spiritual virtue; a set of specific practices or objects known to have efficacy for particular needs] explained in the book Sefer Ha'Middos [ספר המדות — "The Book of Character Traits" — also known as Aleph-Beis of Rabbainu ז"ל; a book of concise teachings organized alphabetically by topic; the letter Nun — for nidah — contains specific spiritual remedies related to fertility and children] — under the letter Nidah. And leave the doctor. And the main effort should be after the Holy Blessed One. And from the money that would need to be given to the doctor — distribute it to charity. Until Hashem looks down and sees — to have mercy on her and on you. And for the sake of Hashem — let her guard herself from anger and from worries. And greatly exert yourself in prayer and supplication. And G-d willing surely Hashem Yisbarach will hear your prayer and save you. For there is no other counsel in the world — as Rabbainu ז"ל revealed to us — that "Hashem is good to all" — for every matter — both for healing and for sustenance and for children.

And know — that my wife, may she live — blessed be G-d — since this past Monday — blessed be G-d — she has had no more fever. May Hashem Yisbarach help — that there should be an end and a conclusion to all our troubles — and to the troubles of all the sick of Israel. Only she has no more strength at all.

And I greatly asked of you many times — that when you write me a letter — write me a receipt for my letter — from which day it was written. And at present — I sent you a letter on Friday of Tisa — a large letter — for you and for our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. And there were greetings of peace for Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — according to your opinion — whether to show him the greetings of peace or not. And also this week — on Monday — I sent you a letter too — through a woman who said that our friend Reb Nussun son of Chana, may his candle shine, dwells with her as a neighbor. And I have no news whether you received it. And I already wrote to you — perhaps you have no leisure to reply to me — at least my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, should reply to me with a receipt. And if I have a receipt for every letter — surely I will exert myself at every time to write you letters.

And perhaps Hashem Yisbarach will help me — that I write to you some words flowing from the source of life — the Nachal Novea Mekor Chochmah [הנחל נובע מקור חכמה — "the flowing stream — the source of wisdom" — the Breslov title for Likutay Halachos, the major work of Reb Nosson ז"ל; the full title embeds the letters of Reb Nosson's name in an acronym: נחל נובע מקור חכמה] — to give life to your souls. And the humiliations and the pouring out of blood that you bore — that you were expelled from the synagogue of the Ari ז"ל — will be an atonement for the blood. [יהיה תקון על הדמים — "will be a rectification for the blood" — the humiliation of being forcibly expelled served as a spiritual atonement; the very blood-draining shame serves as a tikkun — a rectification and repair for sins]

And the holy days of Purim are drawing palpably near — and they begin from the Torah portion of Shekalim. [Parshas Shekalim — the first of the four special Torah portions read before Passover; it falls around Rosh Chodesh Adar and initiates the Purim-to-Passover season; Reb Nosson ז"ל would begin preparing for Purim immediately after Chanukah] And now let us begin from this moment a fresh beginning — in joy. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — that through the power of the joy — all the harsh judgments be sweetened from upon us — so that we merit to receive the Passover festival in holiness — and to fulfill all the commandments of the Torah in awe and love — and to accept upon ourselves the fast of Taanis Esther in joy and in love. And we must from now accustom ourselves to cry out and to call out to Hashem Yisbarach. For to be occupied as Reb Nosson ז"ל did — who immediately after Chanukah engaged in the matter of Purim — for according to the words of Rabbainu ז"ל — now is the beginning of all beginnings. And for the sake of Hashem — ask greatly from Hashem Yisbarach — and greatly compel yourselves — for the joy of Purim. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit me too — to receive Purim in great joy.

And I greatly ask of you — to write to me whether Reb Simcha, may his candle shine, found something good. And also whether he gathers together in fellowship with you — within the assembly — at the three Shabbos meals. And who married whom. And also — what is this — that I have had no greetings of peace at all from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine? And immediately write to me about your brother Yisroel Leib — what he is doing now. And also from Reb Abba, may his candle shine — what he is doing — whether he has been restored to his original vigor. And give life to my soul. And also write to me — from where is the livelihood of my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — when he dwells as a neighbor.

More there is nothing new — only life and peace and a complete healing for my wife, may she live — and for your brother Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni, 5643 (March 1883), from Teverya. Spiritual remedies from Sefer Ha'Middos — leave the doctor, give the money to charity. Good news — no fever since Monday. The humiliation of expulsion is an atonement. Purim preparation begins from Parshas Shekalim. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Blessed be G-d — the holy days of Purim are drawing palpably near — which are the beginning of all beginnings. And joy is also the beginning of all beginnings. And when you want to taste the taste of Purim — look in the laws — the third section [The third section of Likutay Halachos — the laws that deal specifically with Purim and the deeper mystical dimensions of the festival] — which speaks of Purim. And there you will see the great secrets that were revealed in our days — for action and for deed. The sum is: we must rejoice greatly at all times — and particularly on Purim. And for the sake of Hashem — do not worry at all. השי"ת וועט אייך אלסדינג העלפן — Hashem Yisbarach will help you in everything. Only the believer will not be shaken. And He who performs miracles — will surely perform miracles with us at all times — in the merit of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — who always engaged in faith and in miracles and in Eretz Yisroel. And my wife, may she live — blessed be G-d — has great expansiveness. But one leg is swollen — and nevertheless she walks. And blessed be G-d — "the Guardian of His people — behold He neither slumbers nor sleeps — the Guardian of Israel — He will save you from the hand of all your enemies." [Psalms 121:4 — "Behold — the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps"; and Psalms 31:16 — "save me from my enemies and from my pursuers"; combined here as a blessing-prayer] So may He save you forever — and perform miracles with us — a sign for good. And may our enemies see and be ashamed. And may Hashem Yisbarach send a complete healing from Heaven — to our beloved sick person — Avraham Abba son of Ati. [A specific prayer for a sick person listed by name as is customary in Jewish prayer; Avraham Abba son of Ati — likely a Breslov Chassid in need of healing] And a letter — through Mohamad Salach — I received. And today too I received — through Reb Zeidel. And I had no leisure to extend myself to you in words — because of the wagon. And for the sake of Hashem — greatly multiply the joy of Purim. And I am a companion to all who fear You — and to all who rejoice on this holy day — through the word [בהתבה — "through the word, within the word" — b'hatevah; the Kabbalistic teaching that the holy day of Purim is received specifically through and within the power of speech and the spoken word; the word — tevah — is both the Hebrew word for "word" and for "ark"; to be within the word is to be sheltered within the protective power of holy speech]. And now — etc. — there is the flowing stream — the source of wisdom. And through this — supremely elevated divine awe is drawn down. And from there — joy is drawn upon us. Only: מיר דארפן זיך שניצן — א רגז — מיא זאל זיך אזוי מאכן פריליך ביז מיא זאל זיך טאקע באמת פריליך זיין — we must exert ourselves — with a rage [a rogez — a rage, an intense angry determination; the Yiddish: "we must exert ourselves — with a rage — one should make oneself so joyful — until one truly becomes joyful in truth"; the teaching that achieving joy sometimes requires an angry, forceful self-determination — a rage against one's own sadness — until the forced joy becomes genuine] — one should make oneself so joyful — until one truly becomes joyful in truth. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Parshas Tzav, 5643 (around Purim, March 1883), from Teverya. Purim draws near — it is the beginning of all beginnings. The wife has great expansiveness but one leg still swollen. A prayer for Avraham Abba son of Ati. A striking Yiddish teaching: make yourself joyful with a rage — until you truly become joyful in truth. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your small letter — through the Jewish hired coachman — I received properly. And blessed be G-d — I was greatly, very greatly joyful on the holy Purim — I myself — joy in heart and soul. And blessed be G-d — that we have something with which to rejoice. Only yesterday — on Shabbos — after midday — the fever struck my wife, may she live again. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on her and on me — for her weakness greatly confuses my mind. Only the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — they strengthen me and hold me by the hands. And blessed be G-d — that He saved you from the theft. [The writer responds to news that the recipient was saved from some theft or robbery — an incident not described in the earlier letters; G-d's protection in saving him from the thief] So may He guard your going out and your coming in — forever and ever. And regarding what my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, asks of me — to write a letter to Reb Pinchas Yosef, may his candle shine — even though I am occupied writing letters to my sons and my brothers — nevertheless I will take leisure for myself to write to him a letter. Only may Hashem Yisbarach help — that I should be able to write to him words — to give life to his soul. And I greatly asked — to write to me how your Purim was — whether all the Anash were together — and who was present on Purim itself. And about the enemy — to write to me clearly. And also to write to me where you are praying now. And also to write to me whether your brother, may his candle shine, will make a wedding for his daughter — for a good sign — in the month of Nissan. And also to write to me from our friend Reb Yaakov Ber, may his candle shine — where is his lodging — and what reason has he not married — for did he not make a match? And convey greetings of peace from me to him — with strong love. And also to Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine, from Tulchin — greetings of peace from me. And convey greetings of peace from me to Reb Abba, may his candle shine — and write to me what he has done. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on him quickly and soon — and restore him to his original pristine vigor in wholeness. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — to each and every one — with strong love — and particularly to Reb Simcha, may his candle shine. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Written Sunday, Parshas Shemini, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya — after Purim. The writer was greatly joyful on Purim. But the fever has struck the wife again on Shabbos. The recipient was saved from theft. Many questions about the Purim celebrations, various friends, and upcoming events. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Monday of Vayakhel — I received yesterday — through the hired coachman Mohamad Salach. And surely I ask greatly on your behalf — and particularly on behalf of your wife, may she live — for you are to me as truly like my own sons — and your suffering is truly my own suffering. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy upon you — and fulfill in you: "it is a time of trouble for Jacob — and from it he will be saved." [Jeremiah 30:7 — "alas, for that day is great — there is none like it — and it is a time of trouble for Jacob — and from it he will be saved"; the verse of ultimate salvation emerging from within the very distress itself] And may Hashem Yisbarach remember you — with a remembrance of salvation and mercy — quickly and soon — with pregnancy and birth. And my mind is inclined — that you should perform the spiritual remedies [סגלות — segulos — specific spiritual remedies, practices with innate spiritual virtue; a set of specific practices or objects known to have efficacy for particular needs] explained in the book Sefer Ha'Middos [ספר המדות — "The Book of Character Traits" — also known as Aleph-Beis of Rabbainu ז"ל; a book of concise teachings organized alphabetically by topic; the letter Nun — for nidah — contains specific spiritual remedies related to fertility and children] — under the letter Nidah. And leave the doctor. And the main effort should be after the Holy Blessed One. And from the money that would need to be given to the doctor — distribute it to charity. Until Hashem looks down and sees — to have mercy on her and on you. And for the sake of Hashem — let her guard herself from anger and from worries. And greatly exert yourself in prayer and supplication. And G-d willing surely Hashem Yisbarach will hear your prayer and save you. For there is no other counsel in the world — as Rabbainu ז"ל revealed to us — that "Hashem is good to all" — for every matter — both for healing and for sustenance and for children. And know — that my wife, may she live — blessed be G-d — since this past Monday — blessed be G-d — she has had no more fever. May Hashem Yisbarach help — that there should be an end and a conclusion to all our troubles — and to the troubles of all the sick of Israel. Only she has no more strength at all. And I greatly asked of you many times — that when you write me a letter — write me a receipt for my letter — from which day it was written. And at present — I sent you a letter on Friday of Tisa — a large letter — for you and for our friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine. And there were greetings of peace for Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — according to your opinion — whether to show him the greetings of peace or not. And also this week — on Monday — I sent you a letter too — through a woman who said that our friend Reb Nussun son of Chana, may his candle shine, dwells with her as a neighbor. And I have no news whether you received it. And I already wrote to you — perhaps you have no leisure to reply to me — at least my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, should reply to me with a receipt. And if I have a receipt for every letter — surely I will exert myself at every time to write you letters. And perhaps Hashem Yisbarach will help me — that I write to you some words flowing from the source of life — the Nachal Novea Mekor Chochmah [הנחל נובע מקור חכמה — "the flowing stream — the source of wisdom" — the Breslov title for Likutay Halachos, the major work of Reb Nosson ז"ל; the full title embeds the letters of Reb Nosson's name in an acronym: נחל נובע מקור חכמה] — to give life to your souls. And the humiliations and the pouring out of blood that you bore — that you were expelled from the synagogue of the Ari ז"ל — will be an atonement for the blood. [יהיה תקון על הדמים — "will be a rectification for the blood" — the humiliation of being forcibly expelled served as a spiritual atonement; the very blood-draining shame serves as a tikkun — a rectification and repair for sins] And the holy days of Purim are drawing palpably near — and they begin from the Torah portion of Shekalim. [Parshas Shekalim — the first of the four special Torah portions read before Passover; it falls around Rosh Chodesh Adar and initiates the Purim-to-Passover season; Reb Nosson ז"ל would begin preparing for Purim immediately after Chanukah] And now let us begin from this moment a fresh beginning — in joy. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — that through the power of the joy — all the harsh judgments be sweetened from upon us — so that we merit to receive the Passover festival in holiness — and to fulfill all the commandments of the Torah in awe and love — and to accept upon ourselves the fast of Taanis Esther in joy and in love. And we must from now accustom ourselves to cry out and to call out to Hashem Yisbarach. For to be occupied as Reb Nosson ז"ל did — who immediately after Chanukah engaged in the matter of Purim — for according to the words of Rabbainu ז"ל — now is the beginning of all beginnings. And for the sake of Hashem — ask greatly from Hashem Yisbarach — and greatly compel yourselves — for the joy of Purim. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit me too — to receive Purim in great joy. And I greatly ask of you — to write to me whether Reb Simcha, may his candle shine, found something good. And also whether he gathers together in fellowship with you — within the assembly — at the three Shabbos meals. And who married whom. And also — what is this — that I have had no greetings of peace at all from Reb Aizik, may his candle shine? And immediately write to me about your brother Yisroel Leib — what he is doing now. And also from Reb Abba, may his candle shine — what he is doing — whether he has been restored to his original vigor. And give life to my soul. And also write to me — from where is the livelihood of my friend Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Nussun, may his candle shine, son of Reb Yekusiel ז"ל — when he dwells as a neighbor. More there is nothing new — only life and peace and a complete healing for my wife, may she live — and for your brother Yisroel Aryeh, may his candle shine. And greetings of peace to all the Anash — with strong love. Your friend, Nussun from Breslov Written Thursday, eve of Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni, 5643 (March 1883), from Teverya. Spiritual remedies from Sefer Ha'Middos — leave the doctor, give the money to charity. Good news — no fever since Monday. The humiliation of expulsion is an atonement. Purim preparation begins from Parshas Shekalim. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן