עג

Thanks to G-d for our lives — blessed be G-d, blessed be G-d — all of us here in the line of life and peace. May I merit to hear from you life and peace at all times. And likewise may He let us hear quickly and soon from the Anash in the diaspora — life and peace. And particularly from our friend, our beloved in truth — Reb Hirsh son of Slaveh [ר' הירש בן סלאווע — "Reb Hirsh son of Slaveh" — Slaveh is his mother's name — a Slavic-Yiddish woman's name; he is identified here by his mother's name rather than his father's, as was sometimes done; not a place name but the name of his mother] — life and success and peace — without limit.

Your letter from Friday of Beshalach and from Sunday of Yisro — I received this very moment — and it was a wonder in my eyes that you wrote that you have not received any letter from me since my arrival here. Have I not sent my letter to Reb Chaim Krish, may his candle shine, through the donkey-driver Reb Zeidel immediately upon my arrival — on Wednesday of Beshalach — and on that letter I wrote of the peace of my arrival here and of the peace of all the members of my household. Only I do not know whether Reb Zeidel gave the letter to Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. Therefore ask Reb Chaim, may his candle shine. And also on Wednesday of last week I sent you a letter through Reb Dov, may his candle shine, the partner of the patron Reb Chaim Yehoshua, may his candle shine. And also I received on Friday a letter from our beloved Reb Nussun son of Reb Yekusiel — who wrote to me from our friend Reb Tzvi, may his candle shine — that he has fallen ill in Uman. And it is a time of trouble for Yaakov — and from it he will be saved. And we have great suffering — that we have no letter at all from your co-parent-in-law, may his candle shine. Therefore if Hashem Yisbarach gives any news about him — immediately inform me. And regarding what you wrote about the books — there are no buyers here at all — for a woman also brought books with her worth three rubles — and she has no buyers at all.

And regarding the sugar — for here it is a small town and full of poor people — and it is established and fixed in you that you want a livelihood that is not a livelihood — and you still do not know that we cannot form partnerships with the Anash in business matters in this way. But presumably Hashem Yisbarach will help you and this too shall pass. Only you must pray to Hashem Yisbarach that He do good for you — and repent greatly over this action — that you went according to the counsel of the vile world — for this is not the counsel of Rabbainu ז"ל. And for everything prayer and repentance avails — and surely Hashem Yisbarach will have mercy on you and bless you most favorably.

And know, my faithful brother — that I studied much in the Yikara D'Shabbata — and it is impossible for you to estimate the greatness of the new teachings that are there — and particularly regarding the stories. And from there one sees: whoever attaches himself to the books of Rabbainu ז"ל with constancy and with great faith — how he is able to refine his brain — and to see wonders in all the holy Torah — through the illuminating light of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple. Therefore we must believe that Hashem Yisbarach provides for us through an easy cause — and not to take upon oneself excessive distraction [טרדא יתרה — Aramaic code-switch: tarda yeserah — "excess distraction, excessive preoccupation" — tarda is the Aramaic form of the Hebrew tirdah; a code-switch into Aramaic for this word; the distraction and driven-preoccupation of the person who chases unsuitable livelihood]. Therefore, my brothers my friends — be strong and courageous in Torah and prayer — and trust in Hashem — for surely Hashem Yisbarach will provide for you — and do not worry at all. Only be in joy — for you have merited to be on the great and awesome Rosh Hashana in the midst of the holy gathering. And draw yourself close to Rabbainu ז"ל — in thought, in speech, and in deed — and surely G-d willing everything will be properly set aright.

Words of one who truly desires your success — only from within joy — one who truly loves you, Nussun from Breslov

Written Sunday, Parshas Mishpatim, 5640 (January or February 1880), from Teverya. Reb Tzvi ill in Uman. No buyers for books. A direct rebuke on the sugar trade. A teaching from Yikara D'Shabbata: attachment to Rabbainu ז"ל's books refines the brain.

נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן And in what you wrote to me that blessed be G-d your son is in good health — you gave life to our souls. But would that Hashem Yisbarach send swiftly and soon a complete healing to your wife, may she live — to her two hundred and forty-eight limbs and her three hundred and sixty-five sinews [לרמ"ח אבריה ושס"ה גידיה — the traditional Talmudic enumeration: the human body has 248 limbs and 365 sinews, corresponding to the 248 positive commandments and 365 negative commandments of the Torah; to pray for "all her limbs and all her sinews" is to pray for every single part of the body, leaving nothing out; the entire body prayed-for in the language of the entire Torah]. And we have great grief from this and we pray for you at all times. And also for your son, may his candle shine — may Hashem Yisbarach hear our prayer quickly and soon. And write to me how the joy of Purim passed for you — for through this all harsh judgments are sweetened.