כא

Thursday, the Torah portion of Chukas [Parshas Chukas — "The Statute" — the portion containing the Red Heifer, the death of Miriam and Aharon, and the sin of Moshe at the rock; it falls in late June or early July], 5637 [= summer 1877 CE] — here in Teverya, may it be established and built for good — written from the home. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed.

To the honor of my friend — our ohavainu — why, it is none other than the wondrous young Torah scholar, the veteran Chassid — the honor of our teacher Reb Nussun, may his candle shine — together with peace upon his dear father, the wondrous and exceptional in Torah and in the fear of Heaven, the veteran Chassid — the honor of the name of his Torah — Morainu v'Rabbainu Reb Tzvi, may he live, for length of good days — Omain.

Thanks to G-d for our lives — all of us here are in the statute of life and peace [בחקת החיים והשלום — b'chukas ha'chaim v'ha'shalom — "in the statute / ordinance of life and peace" — a deliberate wordplay on the name of the Torah portion Chukas: just as Chukas is a divine statute beyond rational explanation that must simply be accepted, so too is the blessing of life and peace a divine statute — fixed, decreed, beyond ordinary cause and effect — granted to them as an act of G-d's inscrutable will; the writer weaves the portion's name into the living fabric of his blessing]. May we merit at all times to hear from you life and peace and good tidings from outside the Land. Omain Netzach Selah Va'ed.

Your letter from Tuesday of this week I received through the postal courier Zeidel properly — and you gave us life with your letter, for two reasons. The first — Hashem Yisbarach knows the truth: when I see a letter from you it is my very life-force. The second — the news of the peace of the said friend. May Hashem Yisbarach have mercy on the tears of his grandfather Reb Efraim, may his candle shine — and purify his heart to walk in the straight path. And regarding the money — I already sent it through Reb Dov Kraimer, may his candle shine, to Reb Chaim Yehoshua — already on last Thursday. And when I received the letter from them at night, I went this morning to Reb Dov, may his candle shine, and asked him — and he told me that he did not send it last Thursday but on Tuesday of this week, for he had no one to send it through. And I sent only ten bishlikim. And I have asked of you that the remainder — the sum of six and a half bishlikim — you should lend me until the New Moon of Menachem Av [ראש חדש מנחם אב — the first day of the month of Av; named Menachem — "the Comforter" — expressing the hope of consolation even within mourning], and I will send you the said sum with thanks and loving-kindness — for expense upon expense falls upon me, and my sister has not even a single penny in her house. And G-d willing in the month of Menachem Av I will repay you with thanks and loving-kindness, without delay.

And regarding what your father, may his candle shine, wrote to me — that I should write to Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine, regarding the money — the right thing is that your father, may his candle shine, himself write a letter to Reb Efraim, may his candle shine, and to Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine — to give life to their souls regarding the peace of the young couple. And the greatness of this mitzvah is beyond measure. And particularly since Reb Yaakov wrote at the outset to your father, may his candle shine, regarding the one silver ruble — that each week he should give it to the couple, provided there is peace. And I too will write from here regarding the money to Reb Yaakov, may his candle shine. And the money — it is certain that they will give one silver ruble each week until the father-in-law, may his candle shine, comes. For the money that was given to him was — even in the case of — G-d forbid — no peace, to pay for board [קעסט — kest — Yiddish: the traditional post-wedding arrangement by which the bride's family provides the young couple with room, board, and sometimes a stipend for a fixed period; a standard institution in traditional Ashkenazi marriage agreements]. And Reb Yaakov asked of me: if this money is paid, then I should borrow from my sister, may she live, and write to him — and he will send whatever I borrow. And particularly since Hashem Yisbarach has helped with the peace — he will surely keep his word and send one silver ruble each week. Only they have asked us to write letters at all times — how and what. Therefore it is right that you write to them, and I too will write to them.

And regarding the marriage match — what you wrote to me: I do not know how you can believe this — that in Eretz Yisroel there is found someone who will give one thousand rubles, while you will give only one hundred rubles. Can such a thing be believed? Can such a thing be told? [היאמן כי יספר — an echo of Job 15:22; the incredulous refrain — "will it be believed when it is told?" — the writer uses it with gentle irony: this sounds too good to be true] But I spoke with your father-in-law Morainu v'Rabbainu Moshe, may his candle shine — and he told me that a matchmaker said to him — namely [פיזמע — pizme — Yiddish: "namely, that is to say, to wit" — an introductory marker introducing the specifics of what was said; another code-switch into Yiddish mid-Hebrew, as in vais ich nisht, der hust, and others throughout these letters] — that in Yerushalayim there is found a divorcée, a young woman [גרושה ילדה — "a divorced young woman" — as a divorcée her match-value was considered somewhat reduced, yet she was young and healthy], whose former husband was an iluy of iluyim [עלוי שבעלויים — "a prodigy of prodigies" — the superlative of iluy, a Torah genius of exceptional brilliance] — but for some reason they divorced each other. And out of spite [ולהכעיס — u'l'haChis — "and to spite, to vex, to provoke" — a stronger word than mere aggravation; the family would take a lesser match as a pointed act of spite: even with less money we find someone worthy; the word carries the full force of wounded pride asserting itself] — even if a great iluy were to present himself who would give somewhat less than what he would give, that too would be acceptable. And I understand from this that Hashem Yisbarach will bring you a suitable match for him — and not through great things and wonders beyond you [ולא בגדולות ובנפלאות מכם — an echo of Psalms 131:1: "my heart is not lifted up, nor my eyes raised too high; I do not pursue great things or wonders beyond me"; the writer counsels: do not chase the impossible or the overly grand; G-d will find the right match through more accessible means].

And I see from this that Hashem Yisbarach yearns for your prayer — and He has brought you a grandson, may he live, for length of days and good years. And you must raise him to Torah, to the wedding canopy, and to good deeds. And there has been renewed for you a new prayer — and the One Who hears the prayers of Israel will surely hear your prayer and help you in the very best manner. And El Shaddai [ואל שדי — "and the Almighty" — the divine Name associated with sufficiency and with the protection of the family; the Name placed on the mezuzah, guarding the home] should give you great mercies — and everything shall be turned to good, in the power and merit of the one who said this combination [בכח וזכות מי שאמר זה הצרוף — "in the power and merit of the one who said this combination" — tzeruf: a combination of holy letters or divine Names; the "one who said this combination" refers to Rabbainu ז"ל, who revealed the specific arrangement of divine Name and teaching that applies to this situation; the power of the Tzaddik's teaching is invoked as the merit that turns everything to good]. For we have nothing to lean upon except our Father in Heaven and the power and merit of the Tzaddikim — and they will sweeten all the harsh judgments from upon us — all for good.

As for news — there is none, only life and peace.

Thus — words of one who always seeks your good and desires your success in truth [כה דברי הדוש"ת וחפץ הצלחתכם באמת — הדוש"ת = ha'doresh shlomchem tamid — "the one who always inquires after your welfare"], Nussun from Breslov