מַה שֶׁסִּפֵּר הַר' אַהֲרֹן לִיפָּאוֶועצְקִי לְהַר' אַבְרָהָם זַ"ל

At the time when Rabeinu za'l still dwelt in Breslov, he suddenly told R' Nassan and R' Naftali to make their way to Mezhibuzh, to the holy tziyun of the Ba'al Shem Tov za'l; and on their way there, they should first be in Berdichev at the home of the Rav R' Levi Yitzchak za'l. And so they did; and on Erev Shabbos they came to Berdichev and immediately went to greet the Rav. When the Rav za'l saw them, he told them that it was not convenient for him at that moment for them to come to him, because "the elder" [i.e., the opponent] had come to spend Shabbos with him.

They immediately understood to keep out of his sight, so that he would not decree upon them to leave Berdichev — and they did not appear before him until close to evening. When they came to him at the last hour, he saw them and said: "Are you still here? Have you not left Berdichev?" They said to him: "And how is it possible to leave here and not be with you for Shabbos?" And the Rav za'l greatly honored R' Nassan za'l, whose practice was to greatly prolong his prayer; and it was the custom of the people of Berdichev to wait until he finished praying and say to him "Gut Shabbos" as was proper. On this Shabbos, when he finished the prayer and removed his glasses from his eyes and did not immediately see Moharan"as za'l, he asked: "Viya iz Natale?" (Where is Natale [his affectionate name for R' Nassan]?) At this gathering the elder was also present. When the time of the meal arrived, R' Nassan and R' Naftali za'l did not sit at the table until they saw that the elder had sat in his place. Then they chose their places — one opposite the elder and one at his side — in order that if the elder opened his mouth, they could confront him in every manner, to fulfill the statement of our Sages za'l: "Do not stand idly by the blood of your fellow" [Vayikra 19:16]. During the meal, when a bottle of wine was brought to the table, the Rav za'l took the bottle and gave it to R' Nassan za'l to distribute to those seated. It was then of course impossible for the elder to open his mouth during all three meals; and so the Shabbos passed in silence from both sides. However, on Sunday morning the elder entered to the Rav za'l and related before him that he had heard — due to Rabeinu's za'l great desire that his people pray with burning [his'lahavus] — he had permitted them to drink spirits before the prayer. And this was said as a complaint before the Rav za'l, after which he left. Afterward, when R' Nassan and R' Naftali za'l returned and entered to the Rav za'l, the Rav told them the aforementioned complaint without mentioning who had said it. To this they replied not a word — but R' Naftali, who was a man of some fire, seized both sides of the Rav's garment in his hands, and the two of them together began stamping their feet and cried out: "Rebbe! Rebbe! Ir oich? Ir zolt azelches zogen?!" — Rebbe! Rebbe! You too?! That you should say such a thing?! — From this the Rav understood that it was a great wonder in their eyes that he would give voice to such a falsehood; and he said to them: "No! No! Serdtse (dear ones of my heart) — it is not I who says this; it is he who said it." In this we see the prophecy of Rabeinu za'l — had he not sent R' Nassan and R' Naftali za'l, who knows what would have come of the elder's being alone in Berdichev. When they departed from Berdichev, the Rav za'l said to his people about R' Nassan and R' Naftali za'l: that he had not seen Chassidim who love their Rebbe as they do. And the elder, when he returned from Berdichev home after this event, had with him a man from Nemyrov; when he asked the man which place he was from, and the man answered him from Nemyrov, he said: "In Nemyrov of yours there are maginei aretz (shields of the earth)" — and his intention was upon R' Nassan and R' Naftali za'l. And this was told before Rabeinu za'l; and R' Avraham said that in this he was correct — the tradition of the anash being that what is mentioned in the Torah [Torah of Rabeinu] of "Tiku emunah" (make faith sound / blow the trumpet for faithfulness) concerning maginei aretz — the intention of Rabeinu za'l was primarily upon Moharan"as, who through his books strengthens and restores the fallen and weak souls through the seven restorers of good taste [meshivei ta'am]. ✦ TRANSLATOR'S SUMMARY ✦ Introduction: Moharan"as (Rabbi Nassan of Breslov) is introduced as the author of Likutay Halacsos. His fiery prayer and teaching are described through the testimony of contemporaries. A remarkable dream confirms Moshe Rabeinu's approval. Rabeinu (Rabbi Nachman MayUman) prophesied: "through him, not even my secular conversations will be lost." The Prophecy of the Children: Rabeinu foretold that if the wealthy Moshe Hinkes divorced and remarried, he would have children. After years and Moharan"as's persistent efforts and ultimately a sworn oath, Moshe complied — and the prophecy was fulfilled.

The Source of Strife: The brother-in-law of Moshe's new wife, the Rav of Tamashhpil (a follower of the powerful Rav of Savran), developed baseless hatred for Moharan"as. A trivial incident at the circumcision of Moshe's son was exploited to foment enmity; and later, a comical misunderstanding about an esrog's pitam (stem) was weaponized into a fabricated slander by Boruch Dayan — resulting in the Rav of Savran's full fury against Moharan"as and the Breslov community. Years of Tribulation (5594–5599 / 1834–1839): The persecution included: physical beatings, stone-throwing, false testimony before authorities, arrests, imprisonments, expulsion from Breslov, and a fatwa permitting Moharan"as's murder. Despite all this, Moharan"as refused to retaliate or inform against his persecutors. While imprisoned, he composed Torah — including a Halacha still found in Likutay Halacsos, Yoreh Dei'ah. Divine Providence: G-d's protection is demonstrated throughout: in miraculous escapes, the sudden illnesses and deaths of persecutors, the healing of Reuven Yosef through the anash's prayers, and the eventual quieting of the dispute.

The Rav of Savran died of a shameful intestinal illness; Boruch Dayan died unusually; Moshe Hinkes died suddenly while in the act of informing. Epilogue (Berdichev): Rabeinu prophetically sent R' Nassan and R' Naftali to Berdichev to protect his name before the Rav of Berdichev (R' Levi Yitzchak). The Rav of Berdichev praised them: "I have not seen Chassidim who love their Rebbe as they do" — calling them maginei aretz (shields of the earth).

✦ THE CHAIN OF MACHLOKES: A DIAGRAM ✦ Rav of Savran (jealousy of Moharan"as's gathering) Rav of Tamashhpil (humiliated at bris; incites his sister) Moshe Hinkes' wife & daughter (incite Moshe against Moharan"as) Boruch Dayan (fabricates esrog/pitam slander) Rav of Savran issues decree "to oppress, pursue, destroy" Breslovers Beatings, stonings, informings, arrests Moharan"as prays at Admor's tziyun → Psalm 109 Rav of Savran stricken with intestinal rupture → dies Moharan"as returns to Breslov in peace (5599 / 1839)