קסד

Your letter — through Reb Itsmar, may his candle shine — I received yesterday. And surely my suffering is very great — from our persecutions. But this is my consolation — for "G-d seeks out the pursued." [Ecclesiastes 3:15 — "G-d seeks out the pursued" — v'ha'Elokim yevakesh es ha'nirdaf; G-d takes the side of the pursued; since they pursue us — G-d is on our side] And "the wicked one watches for the righteous" — etc. — and Hashem will not abandon us in his hand. Therefore strengthen yourselves in joy — for Hashem is with you — and close to you — and Hashem will plead your cause and fight on your behalf. And we have someone to rely upon — for Rabbainu ז"ל wages war against Amalek and against Og King of Bashan and against Bilam and against Goliath — and all of them he subdues — little by little — until he will subdue all the powerful husks. And even one in whom some powerful husk has clothed itself — surely Rabbainu ז"ל will subdue them — through his holy disciple — and through the holy books that they left after themselves — a blessing — in the world. And do not fear the accursed husk — Zeresh — the wife of the one who frightens [ארורה זרש אשת מפחידי — "the accursed Zeresh — the wife of the one who frightens" — Haman's wife Zeresh from the Book of Esther; applied here to the forces of opposition surrounding the Tzfas community; Zeresh advised Haman how to terrorize — the writer refers to her as "the wife of the one who frightens"] — and do not fear at all. And surely G-d willing you will see their downfall — without a supporter. Only the believer will not be shaken. And for the present — greatly multiply prayer and crying out. And study the Torah Abba Shaul — and through the power of this Torah — the downfall of the unprovoked enemies will come. But you — do not fear and do not worry at all — only transform — for we have such a King. And all of it is only a trial. And I already heard from Reb Nosson ז"ל — may his merit protect us — that whoever holds himself steady in the controversy that passed over him — he is tied to the holy cord. And the holy cord will never be shaken — for the spirit of impurity will pass from the world. But "and You are on high — forever, O Hashem — His hand is on top." And be strong and courageous in the power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — they are mighty of strength [גבורי כח — from Psalms 103:20 — "mighty of strength who do His word — hearkening to the voice of His word" — the angels described as mighty warriors of strength; applied here to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple as the heavenly warriors fighting on behalf of the persecuted Anash] — and they will fight for you.

And blessed be He Who is good and does good — over the good tidings of my friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — that Hashem Yisbarach helped him. And perhaps the controversy was exchanged [נתחלף המחלקת להחיות אותו — "the controversy was exchanged to give him life" — the spiritual exchange: what was previously manifested as controversy and persecution was transformed into a source of spiritual life and revival for him; the suffering transmuted into vitality] — to give him life. And also bring good tidings — for a good sign — to your precious father — the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your mother, may she live. And to your veteran Chassid brother — the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife and his son — the veteran Chassid young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine. And to his wife, may she live — with your son — may Hashem Yisbarach give that it should be for a good sign and for good fortune and for success and blessing — for you and for all the Anash. And the match should flourish — in prosperity and honor and long and good years. And may there be seen from them generations upon generations that will be a contentment of spirit to Hashem Yisbarach from them. And regarding the ten rubles from Breslov — I have not yet received them. And if I send immediately — to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine.

And know — that the fever has intensified greatly upon my wife, may she live — in a manner that has not been like this before. And I was compelled to take in a hired cook for the household — until after Passover. [A significant measure: the writer is forced to hire a cook because his wife is completely incapacitated; a mark of how severe her condition has become as Passover approaches with all its intensive preparation requirements] Therefore have mercy on me and on her — all the Anash — and pray for her. For she has no more strength to bear the great pain, G-d have mercy. And because of this — my mind is somewhat confused. And were it not for the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — which strengthen me — at least with a will.

Words of one who loves you — who blesses you with a kosher Passover — and to fulfill all the commandments that apply on Passover — and everything in joy — who seeks your peace always, Nussun from Breslov

Written Monday, Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya. Words of encouragement against the persecution. Good news — Reb Nachman has been helped; and joyous tidings of Reb Eliezer's forthcoming match. The wife's fever has intensified — a cook was hired for Passover.

Your letter from Wednesday — this present one [dana — Aramaic: "this present one"] — I received properly. And also the Meizhide [A coin — the Meizhide; money sent as a charitable donation or contribution] — I received properly. And in the merit of the charity — from Reb Abba ז"ל — may his soul ascend to the light of the face. And I will recite Kaddish for him the entire month. And regarding what I wrote to him about the matter of the distribution [החלוקה — chalukah — the distribution; the system of distributing funds collected in the diaspora for the support of Jews living in Eretz Yisroel; specifically here the distribution funds allocated to Reb Abba ז"ל who has passed away] — I met with the administrator [הממנה — "the appointed one, the administrator" — the person appointed to oversee and distribute the chalukah funds in Teverya] — and he told me how Reb Altir — who was the son-in-law of Reb Shmuel the collector of Akel [ר' שמואל העליר עקל — "Reb Shmuel the collector of Akel" — ha'alir appears to be from Yiddish allyr — an agent or collector who gathers charitable funds on behalf of an institution; Akel or Ekl — possibly the name of a town or institution he represented; the exact identification is uncertain but the role is clear: a fund-collector] — here — received the distribution money of Reb Abba ז"ל. And since his wife, may she live, was traveling to Jerusalem — she transferred the power of the distribution — that Reb Abba ז"ל should receive it on her behalf. Therefore — if Reb Altir will write — with the signature of a rabbinical court — that he received from Reb Abba the distribution — from the period of time from which he will now travel — then they will transfer to him their distribution — whatever is on their portion. And I will do as per your letter — half I will receive into my hand — and half I will receive for the woman Chava, may she live — as per your letter. And for sending me the honorable sum of thirteen groshen — may Hashem Yisbarach bless you — with a remembrance of salvation and mercy. And may it be a comprehensive redemption — to sweeten through the power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — all the harsh judgments — in general and in particular and in the particulars of particulars. [בכלל ובפרט ובפרטי פרטיות — "in general and in particular and in the particulars of particulars" — the Kabbalistic tripartite structure of reality: the comprehensive whole, each individual particular, and each sub-particular within each particular; the redemption sweetens all harsh judgments at every level of reality] And may you merit — together with the Anash — to receive the holy Passover festival in fitness and in holiness and purity and joy and gladness — and in prayer with intention and outcry — as is explained in Likutay Moharan — on Passover — that one cries out in prayer. And may we all merit — to receive through the festival of Passover — such knowledge — to break the lust for money. [לשבר תאות ממון — "to break the lust for money" — a specific teaching of Rabbainu ז"ל connected to Passover: the Exodus from Egypt is an Exodus from the material lust that enslaves; Passover specifically has the power to break the grip of the money-lust] And may we all merit to prepare ourselves — through the Omer count with intention — for the receiving of the Torah — with ardor and with a fresh beginning. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit us — to taste the taste of the pleasant words from the sayings of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — and to truly settle ourselves — as to what is the ultimate purpose of this world. For we have nothing in this world — except to long and to watch with expectant eyes for the World to Come — as is explained in Likutay Tinyana, sign 10. [Likutay Moharan Tinyana — the Second Collection — sign 10; a Torah discourse of Rabbainu ז"ל that explains the soul's true purpose in this world: to long and watch for the World to Come; this world is only the antechamber — the longing itself is the purpose] Peace to you and to my friend Reb Aizik, may his candle shine, Nussun from Breslov Written Friday, the 13th of Nissan, 5643 (April 1883) — one day before Passover eve. News of Reb Abba's passing — the writer will say Kaddish for him all month. Distribution fund matters. A Passover teaching: cry out in prayer; break the lust for money; long for the World to Come. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Today I was at the administrator — and he told me that he will give me all the monthly money due to Reb Abba ז"ל — and to his wife, may she live. Therefore write to me immediately — as you wrote before the Passover festival — that half I should receive into my hand — and half I should send to the woman Chava, may she live. Only I have not yet received it — because I have not returned the distributor. [שלא השבתי המחלק — "because I have not returned the distributor" — some financial document or allocating instrument that needs to be returned before the funds can be disbursed] Therefore immediately write to me — to know — so that immediately with the previous wagon. And when I send the money to her hand — I will then send to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine — his money — 2510 groshen of our money. And to Reb Yaakov Dov — the sum of six groshen. And to Reb Dov, may his candle shine — 310 groshen. For this money — Reb Moshe the shochet and examiner sent — one ruble — a payment. And wrote to me to give to Reb Yaakov Dov — with G-d's help — half a ruble. And to the shochet and examiner — 20 and five kopeks. And to me — 20 and five kopeks. And Reb Moshe Yadid received six groshen. And I do not reckon the money of Reb Moshe Yadid — only upon me and upon Reb Chaim — and for them I do not reckon. And I asked that immediately and at once — to reply to me — with alacrity — without delay. And also to write — how was your conclusion of Passover — whether it passed in peace and in joy. And may Hashem Yisbarach merit me — to hear from you and from each and every one of the beloved of my soul — only joy and gladness. And the money — I exchanged here — each ruble — thirteen and a half groshen. And greetings of peace to our truly beloved Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Aizik, may his candle shine — let him not worry at all — only strengthen himself in prayer. And G-d willing surely Hashem Yisbarach will conclude everything for him for the good. Only the believer will not be shaken. Words of one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov Nussun the above-mentioned Written Monday, the 2nd of the Omer, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya. Financial matters about the distribution of Reb Abba's funds. A report on Passover — a little joy fulfilled. The writer went to the holy graves to pray for the wife. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter — through Reb Itsmar, may his candle shine — I received yesterday. And surely my suffering is very great — from our persecutions. But this is my consolation — for "G-d seeks out the pursued." [Ecclesiastes 3:15 — "G-d seeks out the pursued" — v'ha'Elokim yevakesh es ha'nirdaf; G-d takes the side of the pursued; since they pursue us — G-d is on our side] And "the wicked one watches for the righteous" — etc. — and Hashem will not abandon us in his hand. Therefore strengthen yourselves in joy — for Hashem is with you — and close to you — and Hashem will plead your cause and fight on your behalf. And we have someone to rely upon — for Rabbainu ז"ל wages war against Amalek and against Og King of Bashan and against Bilam and against Goliath — and all of them he subdues — little by little — until he will subdue all the powerful husks. And even one in whom some powerful husk has clothed itself — surely Rabbainu ז"ל will subdue them — through his holy disciple — and through the holy books that they left after themselves — a blessing — in the world. And do not fear the accursed husk — Zeresh — the wife of the one who frightens [ארורה זרש אשת מפחידי — "the accursed Zeresh — the wife of the one who frightens" — Haman's wife Zeresh from the Book of Esther; applied here to the forces of opposition surrounding the Tzfas community; Zeresh advised Haman how to terrorize — the writer refers to her as "the wife of the one who frightens"] — and do not fear at all. And surely G-d willing you will see their downfall — without a supporter. Only the believer will not be shaken. And for the present — greatly multiply prayer and crying out. And study the Torah Abba Shaul — and through the power of this Torah — the downfall of the unprovoked enemies will come. But you — do not fear and do not worry at all — only transform — for we have such a King. And all of it is only a trial. And I already heard from Reb Nosson ז"ל — may his merit protect us — that whoever holds himself steady in the controversy that passed over him — he is tied to the holy cord. And the holy cord will never be shaken — for the spirit of impurity will pass from the world. But "and You are on high — forever, O Hashem — His hand is on top." And be strong and courageous in the power of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — they are mighty of strength [גבורי כח — from Psalms 103:20 — "mighty of strength who do His word — hearkening to the voice of His word" — the angels described as mighty warriors of strength; applied here to Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple as the heavenly warriors fighting on behalf of the persecuted Anash] — and they will fight for you. And blessed be He Who is good and does good — over the good tidings of my friend Reb Nachman, may his candle shine — that Hashem Yisbarach helped him. And perhaps the controversy was exchanged [נתחלף המחלקת להחיות אותו — "the controversy was exchanged to give him life" — the spiritual exchange: what was previously manifested as controversy and persecution was transformed into a source of spiritual life and revival for him; the suffering transmuted into vitality] — to give him life. And also bring good tidings — for a good sign — to your precious father — the veteran Chassid — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Hirsh, may his candle shine — together with peace upon your mother, may she live. And to your veteran Chassid brother — the young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Sender, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his wife and his son — the veteran Chassid young scholar Morainu v'Rabbainu Eliezer, may his candle shine. And to his wife, may she live — with your son — may Hashem Yisbarach give that it should be for a good sign and for good fortune and for success and blessing — for you and for all the Anash. And the match should flourish — in prosperity and honor and long and good years. And may there be seen from them generations upon generations that will be a contentment of spirit to Hashem Yisbarach from them. And regarding the ten rubles from Breslov — I have not yet received them. And if I send immediately — to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. And know — that the fever has intensified greatly upon my wife, may she live — in a manner that has not been like this before. And I was compelled to take in a hired cook for the household — until after Passover. [A significant measure: the writer is forced to hire a cook because his wife is completely incapacitated; a mark of how severe her condition has become as Passover approaches with all its intensive preparation requirements] Therefore have mercy on me and on her — all the Anash — and pray for her. For she has no more strength to bear the great pain, G-d have mercy. And because of this — my mind is somewhat confused. And were it not for the books of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — which strengthen me — at least with a will. Words of one who loves you — who blesses you with a kosher Passover — and to fulfill all the commandments that apply on Passover — and everything in joy — who seeks your peace always, Nussun from Breslov Written Monday, Rosh Chodesh Nissan, 5643 (April 1883), from Teverya. Words of encouragement against the persecution. Good news — Reb Nachman has been helped; and joyous tidings of Reb Eliezer's forthcoming match. The wife's fever has intensified — a cook was hired for Passover. נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן