קנ

And also the letter from Reb Yosef, may his candle shine — from the 2nd of Vayeitzei — I also received. And why did he not bring me a letter from my daughter from Breslov? And also my wife's son — whose name is Aharon — also dwells in Breslov — and surely Reb Yosef also saw him. And my wife, may she live, has suffering — that he brought her no letter from her daughter Chaike, may she live — and from her son Aharon, may his candle shine.

And my wife, may she live, has the fever again this time. And because of this my mind is greatly confused — and I cannot write to you several words — to give life to my soul and to your soul — from the words of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple — through which every day we see other novelties — upon which all the worlds depend. And from them I see the greatness of the power of free choice [כח הבחירה — the power of free will and free choice — bechira; one of the foundational concepts in Rabbainu ז"ל's teachings: the great power of human free choice, which is so great that it can even darken such great lights as those of the Anash; a sobering recognition of the importance of each person's choices] — which can darken such lights — even among the Anash. And we are obligated to give over our souls — and to be gathered together in fellowship [hitva'adus — the fellowship assembly] — perhaps we will merit to hear one word from their words — which stand at the very summit of all the worlds. And even to be in a house where the name of Rabbainu ז"ל and his holy disciple and our assembly is mentioned — is no small thing.

For our assembly is no small thing — for the main provocation of the Adversary in your encampment is because of the assembly. And each one of us must ensure that he himself should not be the cause of separation — and to pray greatly — that the houses that were built through the assembly should not be destroyed, G-d forbid — and to be a neighbor to the assembly. And each one must love his companion — and judge him favorably. For a little light drives away much darkness. And even if we see in one person that he has a bad character trait — all our fellowship must pray for him — that Hashem Yisbarach help him to break this bad trait. As is explained: "My fellowship — is there anything in the world that you have not swept over — come, let me be destroyed with them." [A paraphrase of a Talmudic saying from Sanhedrin 98b — a leader who says of his generation: "my fellowship" — meaning: is there anything, any failing, that you have not swept over me? If so — come, let me be destroyed together with them; one who is bound to his fellowship shares in their fate and their merit; a cry of total mutual responsibility]

More I have no leisure to write — for I am preparing letters for my son Moshe Efraim, may his candle shine. And perhaps Reb Dov, may his candle shine, is coming — and he has with him my money — the sum of three rubles — send it to me immediately — for my time is pressing. And also — what did Reb Yosef, may his candle shine, say about the money from Tcheryn — for he wrote a letter saying they want to send it — and where is it? And also write to me whether our friend Reb Efraim arrived home safely to Jerusalem. And revive my soul.

And regarding the letter to your co-parent-in-law — G-d willing after Shabbos I will write to him and send it to you — for now I have no leisure because of my own letters. And also write to me and ask Reb Yosef — whether the letter arrived that we sent to Uman in the name of your co-parent-in-law — for in it there was also a letter for Reb Yosef from my wife. And may Hashem Yisbarach send a complete healing to wife Leah, may she live — and to the wife of Reb Yosef.

Words of one who truly loves you — truly and in truth — and may Hashem Yisbarach give you the vessel that holds blessing for Israel — which is peace [Last Mishnah of Uktzin — "The Holy Blessed One found no vessel that holds blessing for Israel except peace"; the very last words of the entire Mishnah; the writer closes with this as a blessing: may you receive the vessel — peace — which alone can hold all blessing] , Nussun from Breslov

Written the night before Thursday, Parshas Vayishlach, 5643 (late November/December 1882), from Teverya. The wife's fever has returned. Internal unity of the Anash — pray for one another, do not be the cause of separation. "A little light drives away much darkness."

נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן Your letter from Tuesday and Wednesday — I received from the hand of the woman on Friday — the eve of Shabbos. And you gave us life with your letter — that you received my letter — for I had suffering — perhaps the letter was not delivered to you. And our letter is a secret of secrets.