Segment 1
שסב
And peace to all our anshei sh'lomaynu in Breslov — with great love and precious deep affection.
Segment 2
בָּרוּךְ הַשֵּׁם, יוֹם ג' תֵּצֵא תר"א טְשֶׁעהרִין.
And to my beloved Rabbi Shimshon — may his light shine — abundant thanks to you for having fulfilled your words to lend me for the work. And he has already paid his son Rabbi Itzik — may he live — and warned him to pay you in full — and he certainly fulfilled his words. And his request from him and from all the beloved and pleasant anshei sh'lomaynu — that they watch over his household to support them in all that is possible. And let them be careful not to avert their eyes — G-d forbid — from his household — that he not be a debtor — G-d forbid. And strengthen yourselves every day in Torah and prayer — and in particular in hisbodidus — as they have spoken of this countless times. Ashreickem if you fulfil his words — for they are not from his heart — G-d forbid — only from the heart of the holy and very awesome tzaddik — the memory of the righteous and holy one for a blessing. And all of them flow and come out from the source of true and complete wisdom — very awesome — whose understanding is beyond reckoning. And the days of Elul are approaching — and the seven weeks of consolation have already begun — and they must prepare themselves for Rosh Hashana — the holy and awesome and very terrible day. "Is the shofar sounded in the city and the people not tremble?" And remember well what they merited to hear regarding the holiness of Elul and Rosh Hashana — "Es l'vavcha v'es l'vav" — "oz v'hadar l'vushahvet'schak l'yom acharon" — Tishrei Tashuri. And let not such awesome new novellae — which renew themselves at every time for each and every person in every place — become old in your eyes. And it is impossible to extend now on this.
Segment 3
שָׁלוֹם וְחַיִּים וּכְתִיבָה וַחֲתִימָה טוֹבָה לַאֲהוּבִי בְּנִי חֲבִיבִי הָרַבָּנִי וְכוּ' מוֹרֵנוּ הָרַב יִצְחָק שֶׁיִּחְיֶה עִם כָּל יוֹצְאֵי חֲלָצָיו שֶׁיִּחְיוּ.
The words of your companion and your teacher and your disciple — who hopes that his portion will be with you forever.
Segment 4
מִכְתָּבוֹ מִיּוֹם א' רְאֵה קִבַּלְתִּי בִּקְרוּמִינְטְשַׁאג שֶׁנִּשְׁלַח לִי מִפֹּה לְשָׁם, וְהָיָה לִי לְנַחַת גָּדוֹל. וְעַל שַׁבַּת פָּרָשַׁת שׁוֹפְטִים הֶעָבַר חָזַרְתִּי לְפֹה. וּבְיוֹם א' הֶעָבַר קִבַּלְתִּי מִכְתָּבוֹ שֵׁנִית, וְהַיּוֹם קִבַּלְתִּי מִכְתָּבוֹ שְׁלִישִׁית עִם הַמִּכְתָּבִים מִבְּנִי שֶׁיִּחְיֶה מִבְּרֶסְלֶב, וְכֻלָּם הֶחֱיוּ נַפְשִׁי הַרְבֵּה. אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁכֻּלָּם צִעֲרוּנִי הַרְבֵּה מִגֹּדֶל מְרִירוּת צַעֲקָתְךָ בְּכָל אִגֶּרֶת, עִם כָּל זֶה הִגְדַּלְתִּי הַשִּׂמְחָה עַל הַמָּרָה־שְׁחוֹרָה, בִּרְאוֹתִי עֹצֶם חֶזְקַת לִבְּךָ הַטּוֹב בִּנְקֻדַּת הָאֱמֶת, וְאַתָּה מֵבִין מֵרָחוֹק תְּהִלָּה לָאֵל כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה צָרִיךְ אַתָּה לְחַזֵּק עַצְמְךָ תָּמִיד, וּבְכָל יוֹם מֵחָדָשׁ, אֵיךְ שֶׁהוּא יִהְיֶה אֵיךְ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה. לְמַעַן הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ שֶׁתֹּאחֵז בָּזֶה, כִּי הוּא חַיֶּיךָ לָנֶצַח. וְתֵדַע וְתַאֲמִין בְּנִי חֲבִיבִי שֶׁכָּל מַה שֶּׁעוֹבֵר עָלֶיךָ כְּבָר עָבַר עַל כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה אֲנָשִׁים כְּשֵׁרִים יוֹתֵר וְיוֹתֵר. וּבִפְרָט עַתָּה בַּדּוֹר הַזֶּה, אֲשֶׁר גַּם אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ מֵרָחוֹק קְצָת אֶת הַמַּעֲשֶׂה הָרַע הַנַּעֲשֶׂה תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, וּבִפְרָט בָּעִתִּים הַלָּלוּ, הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ יְכַפֵּר הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ יְכַפֵּר. אַךְ כָּל מִי שֶׁנֶּחֱלַק וְנִמְעַד אֲשׁוּרָיו וְנִתְפַּס בְּרֶשֶׁת הַבַּעַל דָּבָר כְּמוֹ שֶׁנִּתְפַּס, אֵין מְדַבְּרִים מִמֶּנּוּ כְּלָל, כְּאִלּוּ הָיָה רָשָׁע מִבֶּטֶן אִמּוֹ, וְאֵין מְנַחֲמִין עַצְמוֹ בַּמֶּה שֶׁנִּצֹּל מֵרֶשֶׁת כָּזֹאת רַחֲמָנָא לִצְלַן. אֲבָל בֶּאֱמֶת גַּם הוּא בְּוַדַּאי הָיָה לִבּוֹ חָפֵץ בְּהַתַּכְלִית, אַךְ כָּל נְפִילָתוֹ רֻבּוֹ כְּכֻלּוֹ הָיָה מֵחֲמַת שֶׁלֹּא נִתְקָרֵב לְאוֹר הָאֱמֶת הַמֵּאִיר בַּדּוֹר הַזֶּה. שֶׁעַל יְדֵי זֶה הָיָה גַּם הוּא מִתְחַזֵּק, וְלֹא הָיָה נוֹפֵל וּמִתְרַחֵק מֵהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ וְתוֹרָתוֹ כָּל כָּךְ. וְאִי אֶפְשָׁר לְהַרְחִיב הַדִּבּוּר בָּזֶה, בִּפְרָט עַל פְּנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה. וּמַה לָּנוּ לְדַבֵּר מֵהָעוֹלָם, עָלֵינוּ לְהוֹדוֹת וּלְהַלֵּל וּלְשַׁבֵּחַ לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ תָּמִיד. מַה נָּשִׁיב לַה' כָּל תַּגְמוּלוֹהִי עָלַי, אֲשֶׁר חָמַל עָלֵינוּ בַּעַל הָרַחֲמִים בְּחֶמְלָה רַבָּה וּבַחֲנִינוּת כָּאֵלֶּה, שֶׁאָנוּ יוֹדְעִין קְצָת וּמַאֲמִינִים שֶׁיֵּשׁ סוֹד כַּוָּנוֹת אֱלוּל. וּתְדַקְדֵּק הֵיטֵב בִּדְבָרָיו הַקְּדוֹשִׁים שֶׁאָמַר וְזֶה סוֹד כַּוָּנוֹת אֱלוּל שֶׁהוּא לִהְיוֹת בָּקִי בַּהֲלָכָה, בָּקִי בְּרָצוֹא בָּקִי בְשׁוֹב, בָּקִי בְּעָיֵל, בָּקִי בְּנָפִיק, שֶׁהוּא בְּחִינַת אִם אֶסַּק שָׁמַיִם שָׁם אַתָּה, וְאַצִּיעָה שְׁאוֹל הִנֶּךָּ; וְכַוָּנָתוֹ כִּפְשׁוּטוֹ שֶׁאֲפִלּוּ מִי שֶׁהוּא בִּבְחִינַת וְאַצִּיעָה שְׁאוֹל מַמָּשׁ, יֹאמַר הִנֶּךָּ. אֲבָל אֵין זֶה דָּבָר פָּשׁוּט לְהַחֲיוֹת וּלְהַחֲזִיק אֶת הָאָדָם שֶׁלֹּא יִפֹּל יוֹתֵר, כְּשֶׁהוּא בִּשְׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּיּוֹת מַמָּשׁ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם. רַק יֵשׁ בָּזֶה סוֹד גָּדוֹל וְנוֹרָא, סוֹד עָמֹק וְנִסְתָּר מְאֹד מְאֹד, שֶׁהוּא סוֹד כַּוָּנוֹת אֱלוּל, שֶׁזֶּה הַסּוֹד אֵין יוֹדֵעַ רַק מִי שֶׁדִּבֵּר וְגִלָּה זֹאת הַתּוֹרָה הַנּוֹרָאָה, שֶׁהִיא סוֹד הַשָּׂגַת מַעֲשֵׂה מֶרְכָּבָה בְּתַכְלִית הַמַּעֲלָה עַד בְּחִינַת נְקֻדָּה הָעֶלְיוֹנָה מְאֹד, לְהַשְׁלִים בְּחִינַת אָדָם הַיּוֹשֵׁב עַל הַכִּסֵּא. וְאֵין מִי שֶׁיּוּכַל לְהַחֲיוֹת עַתָּה הַנְּפָשׁוֹת הַיְרוּדוֹת וְכוּ' בַּדּוֹרוֹת הָאֵלּוּ, כִּי אִם מִי שֶׁגִּלָּה הַתּוֹרָה הַנַּ"ל, וּבֵאֵר לָנוּ בִּפְשִׁיטוּת, וְהִזְהִיר אוֹתָנוּ לְקַיֵּם וְאַצִּיעָה שְׁאוֹל הִנֶּךָּ. וְעוֹד בְּכַמָּה וְכַמָּה לְשׁוֹנוֹת קְדוֹשׁוֹת כָּאֵלֶּה שֶׁהֶחֱיָה אוֹתָנוּ בְּאִמְרוֹת ה' אֲמָרוֹת טְהוֹרוֹת, הַמְּשִׁיבִין אֶת כָּל הַנְּפָשׁוֹת הַיְרוּדוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם בְּשִׁבְעָה מְשִׁיבֵי טַעַם וְכוּ' וְכוּ'. וּתְמִימוּת וּפְשִׁיטוּת דְּבָרָיו הַקְּדוֹשִׁים מְחַיִּין וּמְשִׁיבִין אֶת הַנֶּפֶשׁ מְאֹד. אֲבָל בֶּאֱמֶת יֵשׁ דְּבָרִים בְּגוֹ סוֹדוֹת עֲמֻקּוֹת וְנִסְתָּרוֹת מְאֹד. וְאִי אֶפְשָׁר לְבָאֵר אֲפִלּוּ מַה שֶּׁיֵּשׁ בְּלִבִּי בָּזֶה, מִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן הַנִּסְתָּרוֹת לַה' אֱלֹקֵינוּ וְכוּ'. אַךְ הַנִּגְלוֹת לָנוּ וּלְבָנֵינוּ, לִשְׁמֹר לְקַיֵּם דְּבָרָיו הַקְּדוֹשִׁים בִּפְשִׁיטוּת וּתְמִימוּת. וְעַתָּה אַחֲרֵי הוֹדִיעַ אֱלֹקִים אוֹתָנוּ וְאוֹתְךָ וְאֶת כֻּלָּנוּ כָּל זֶה וְיוֹתֵר וְיוֹתֵר, הִזָּהֵר וְהִזָּהֵר לְקַיֵּם גַּם מַה שֶּׁהִזְהִיר מְאֹד לִבְלִי לִהְיוֹת זָקֵן חַס וְשָׁלוֹם. בִּפְרָט עַתָּה בִּימֵי אֱלוּל וְתִשְׁרֵי שֶׁצְּרִיכִין שֶׁכָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד יַמְשִׁיךְ עַל עַצְמוֹ הִתְחַדְּשׁוּת עַל כָּל הַשָּׁנָה כֻּלָּה. (חָסֵר)
Peace — to my beloved son — my dear one — may he live.
Segment 5
רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה בְּרֹאשׁ חֹדֶשׁ וְכוּ' בְּחִינַת חַדֵּשׁ עָלֵינוּ שָׁנָה טוֹבָה חַדֵּשׁ דַּיְקָא שֶׁזֶּה הָעִקָּר (חסר)
In the past week he sent him his letter with the sum of one hundred and sixty-five silver rubles — and presumably it reached his hand. And now he is prepared to travel today to the congregation of Krumintchag. And there is nothing new to say — and also he has no leisure at all. And the days of Elul are approaching — and he is preoccupied with his traveling — and the time of prayer has arrived — and it is impossible to extend at all. And extend his peace to all his household in Breslov — and the peace of all our anshei sh'lomaynu in Breslov — and the peace of all our anshei sh'lomaynu in your congregation and in all their surroundings — to all his brothers and friends he speaks peace and great salvation. And may the Master of Mercy have mercy and purify their hearts to serve Him in truth — and strengthen their thought to seize it in holiness — not to allow it to wander outward — G-d forbid. And the true holiness of Elul and Tishrei should illuminate upon them — that they merit at any rate from now to draw close to Him Yisborach in truth — each one from the place where he is. For this is the entire secret intention of Elul — that they merit to go in the path that Moshe Rabbeinu trod — and the true tzaddikim after him — in these forty holy days — from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur — as is explained in his holy words.
Segment 6
בְּחִינַת מִמַּעֲמַקִּים קְרָאתִיךָ ה'. וְהָעִקָּר לְהַרְגִּיל עַצְמוֹ בְּכָל יוֹם (חָסֵר)
The words of your father — who loves you in truth forever.
Segment 7
הִתְחַדְּשׁוּת כָּל כַּוָּנַת רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה. צָעַק לִבָּם אֶל ה'. וְלִזְכֹּר (חָסֵר)
Nussun of Breslov.
Segment 8
אֵינָהּ נֶאֱבֶדֶת כְּלָל. וְכֵן מַה שֶּׁכָּתוּב שֶׁאֲפִלּוּ (חָסֵר)
Overview: Wednesday, Parshas Re'eh — Tshehrin — 5601. To his beloved son. In the past week he sent him his letter with the sum of 165 silver rubles — and presumably it reached his hand. And now he is prepared to travel today to Krumintchag — and there is nothing new to say — and also he has no leisure at all. And the days of Elul are approaching — and he is preoccupied with his traveling — and the time of prayer has arrived — and impossible to extend at all. Extend his peace to all his household in Breslov — and the peace of all the anshei sh'lomaynu. And may the Master of Mercy have mercy and purify their hearts to serve Him in truth — and strengthen their thought to seize it in holiness — not to allow it to wander outward — G-d forbid. And the true holiness of Elul and Tishrei should illuminate upon them — that they merit at any rate from now to draw close to Him Yisborach in truth — each one from the place where he is. For this is the entire secret intention of Elul — that they merit to go in the path that Moshe Rabbeinu trod — and the true tzaddikim after him — in these forty holy days — from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur — as is explained in his holy words.
Segment 9
אוּן מֶע שְׁרַייט (חָסֵר)
Segment 10
(אָמַר הַמַּעְתִּיק. כָּל הַשּׁוּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ הָיוּ קְרוּעִים וְהָיוּ חֲסֵרִים מֵהֶם וְלֹא יָכֹלְתִּי לַעֲמֹד עֲלֵיהֶם. עַל כֵּן הֶעְתַּקְתִּי כְּמוֹ שֶׁהֵם חֲבָל עַל דְּאָבְדִין. וְתוֹדָה לָאֵל עַל פְּלֵטָה הַנִּשְׁאֶרֶת).
And now — after G-d has made known to them and to you and to all of them all this and more and more — be very very careful to fulfil also what he warned very much — not to be old — G-d forbid. In particular now — in the days of Elul and Tishrei — when each and every one needs to draw upon himself a renewal for the entire coming year. [ … missing text … ] Rosh Hashana at Rosh Chodesh etc. — in the aspect of "chadesh aleinu shanah tovah" — renew — specifically renew — for this is the essential [ … missing text … ] in the aspect of "mi'maamakim k'rasticha Hashem" — "from the depths I have called to You Hashem." And the essential is to accustom oneself every day [ … missing text … ] the renewal of all the intention of Rosh Hashana. "Tzaak libam el Hashem." And to remember [ … missing text … ] is not lost at all. And likewise what is written that even [ … missing text … ] and one cries [ … missing text … ]
Segment 11
יִתְהַפֵּךְ הַכֹּל לְטוֹבָה. הֵן כָּל הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וְיוֹתֵר מֵהֵמָּה, חִזְּקוּ נַפְשִׁי וְכַמָּה וְכַמָּה נְפָשׁוֹת בְּכָל מַה שֶּׁעוֹבֵר עָלֵינוּ. גַּם אַתָּה אֱחֹז בָּהֶם, הֲפֹךְ בָּהֶם וַהֲפֹךְ בָּהֶם וְכוּ', כִּי גַּם עָלֶיךָ נֶאֶמְרוּ כֻּלָּם. וְגַם תְּקַיֵּם מַה שֶּׁאָמַר שֶׁצְּרִיכִין לִהְיוֹת עַקְשָׁן גָּדוֹל בְּעִנְיַן הַהִתְקָרְבוּת לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ מִכָּל מָקוֹם שֶׁהוּא, וּבְיוֹתֵר לְהִתְחַזֵּק לִהְיוֹת בְּשִׂמְחָה בְּכָל עֵת כַּאֲשֶׁר הִזְהִיר אוֹתָנוּ כַּמָּה פְּעָמִים אֵין מִסְפָּר בְּכַמָּה עֵצוֹת נִפְלָאוֹת. וְהַיּוֹם יוֹם ד' הִגִּיעַ בְּעֶזְרַת ה' יִתְבָּרַךְ. וְזֶה סָמוּךְ קַמְתִּי מִמִּטָּתִי וַחֲדָשִׁים לַבְּקָרִים רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ, וְחַסְדֵי ה' כִּי לֹא תָמְנוּ וְכוּ' חִזְּקוּ אוֹתִי בְּחֶמְלָתוֹ הָרַבָּה לִכְתֹּב לְךָ דְּבָרִים אֵלֶּה הַנּוֹבְעִים מִמַּעְיְנֵי הַיְשׁוּעָה. הַמְחַיִּין וּמְשִׁיבִין כָּל נֶפֶשׁ הֶחָפֵץ בָּאֱמֶת, כָּל אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ חַיִּים בְּאַפָּיו וְכוּ'. וְהַהֶכְרֵחַ לְסַיֵּם דְּבָרַי כִּי זְמַן הַתְּפִלָּה הִגִּיעַ וַאֲנִי טָרוּד מְאֹד, כִּי בְּדַעְתִּי לִנְסֹעַ הַיּוֹם לְמֶעדְוֶועדִיבְקֶע עַל שַׁבַּת קֹדֶשׁ הַבָּא עָלֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה. וְאַחַר שַׁבַּת קֹדֶשׁ הַבָּא עָלֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה אֶסַּע לְאוּמַאן בְּעֶזְרַת ה' יִתְבָּרַךְ. וּבַעַל הָרַחֲמִים יְשׁוֹבֵב נַפְשִׁי וְנַפְשְׁכֶם וְיַנְחֵנִי בְמַעְגְּלֵי צֶדֶק לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ.
All will be turned for good. All these words — and more than them — have strengthened his soul and how many and many more souls — in all that passes over them. You too — hold fast to them — "hafoch bahem v'hafoch bahem" — for also to you all of them were said. And also fulfil what he said — that one must be a great stubborn one in the matter of drawing close to Hashem Yisborach from every place where one is. And more so to strengthen oneself to be in joy at every time — as he warned them countless times through many wondrous counsels.
Segment 12
דִּבְרֵי אָבִיךָ הַמְחַכֶּה לִרְאוֹתְכֶם בִּמְהֵרָה בְּחַיִּים וְשָׁלוֹם וְשִׂמְחָה רַבָּה, וְחֶדְוַת ה' יִהְיֶה מָעֻזֵּנוּ, בִּפְרָט בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ הַבָּא עָלֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה.
And today — Wednesday — arrived with Hashem's help. And just now he arose from his bed — and chadashim la'b'karim rabbah emunasecha — "new every morning — great is Your faithfulness" — [Eichah 3:23] and chasdei Hashem ki lo samu — strengthened him in His abundant compassion to write to him these words — that flow from the wellsprings of salvation — which give life and restore every soul that truly desires — every one in whom the breath of the spirit of life is in his nostrils — and so forth. And it is necessary to conclude his words — for the time of prayer has arrived and he is very preoccupied — for he intends to travel today to Medevedivke for the holy Shabbas coming upon them for good. And after the holy Shabbas coming upon them for good he will travel to Uman — with Hashem's help. And may the Master of Mercy restore his soul and your souls — and lead him in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Segment 13
נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב
Nussun of Breslov
Segment 14
וְשָׁלוֹם לְכָל אַנְשֵׁי שְׁלוֹמֵנוּ בְּאַהֲבָה רַבָּה, וְשָׁלוֹם לִידִידִי כְּנַפְשִׁי הָרַבָּנִי הַנָּגִיד הַמֻּפְלָג מוֹרֵנוּ הָרַב יַעֲקֹב נֵרוֹ יָאִיר.
The words of your father — who loves you in truth forever.
Segment 15
לֹא יָכֹלְתִּי לְהִתְאַפֵּק מֵעֹצֶם אַהֲבָתְךָ לְחַזֶּקְךָ וּלְזָרֶזְךָ שֶׁלֹּא יִהְיוּ לְךָ שׁוּם סְפֵקוֹת חַס וְשָׁלוֹם בְּלִבְּךָ בְּעִנְיַן רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה הַבָּא עָלֵינוּ לְטוֹבָה. רַק תֹּאמַר בְּלֵב שָׁלֵם בָּרוּךְ שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה, לִזְכּוֹת לְהִתְוַעֵד יַחַד עִם אַנְשֵׁי אֱמֶת אֲנָשִׁים כְּשֵׁרִים לְהִתְקַבֵּץ עַל צִיּוּן הַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק הַקָּדוֹשׁ, שֶׁהִבְטִיחַ לַעֲזֹר לְכָל מִי שֶׁיָּבוֹא אֵלָיו, בִּפְרָט בְּעֶרֶב רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה, וּלְהִמָּנוֹת יַחַד בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה אֶצְלֵנוּ. מָה אֹמַר לְךָ אָחִי מְעַט מְעַט שָׁמַעְתָּ וְהֵבַנְתָּ מֵרָחוֹק, אֲבָל יוֹתֵר מִזֶּה בְּנִי הִזָּהֵר וְהִזָּהֵר שֶׁלֹּא תִּהְיֶה חַס וְשָׁלוֹם בִּכְלַל חֶסְרוֹן לֹא יוּכַל לְהִמָּנוֹת שֶׁדָּרְשׁוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זַ"ל (חֲגִּיגָה ו:) זֶה שֶׁנִּמְנוּ חֲבֵרָיו וְכוּ', בִּפְרָט לְעֵסֶק קָדוֹשׁ וְנוֹרָא כָּזֶה. וְאִם תִּרְצֶה תּוּכַל לִקְרוֹת מִכְתָּב הַנַּ"ל שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר גַּם אֵלֶיךָ וּלְכָל חַד כְּפִי מַה שֶּׁעוֹבֵר עָלָיו; וְגַם תִּזְכֹּר הֵיטֵב אֶת כָּל מַה שֶּׁנִּדְבַּר בֵּינֵינוּ, וְאֶת כָּל הַהִתְנוֹצְצוּת שֶׁהִתְנוֹצֵץ בְּלִבְּךָ אוֹר הָאֱמֶת וְכוּ'. וּתְחַזֵּק נַפְשְׁךָ לָבוֹא בְּשִׂמְחָה, בֹּא תָּבוֹא בְּרִנָּה עִם בְּנִי שֶׁיִּחְיֶה וְעִם אַנְשֵׁי שְׁלוֹמֵנוּ, נָגִילָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה בִּישׁוּעָתוֹ. וּמֻבְטְחַנִי שֶׁבְּלֹא דְּבָרַי בְּוַדַּאי לֹא הָיִיתָ נִמְנָע חַס וְשָׁלוֹם מִלָּבוֹא. אַךְ לְזָרוּזֵי יְתֵרָה קָאָתֵינָא. כִּי יָדוּעַ לָנוּ רִבּוּי הַמְּנִיעוֹת הַמִּשְׁתַּטְּחִים אָז דַּיְקָא. וּבֶאֱמֶת כֻּלָּם בַּאֲחִיזַת עֵינַיִם, כִּי עִקַּר הוּא מְנִיעַת הַמֹּחַ כַּיָּדוּעַ לָכֶם כָּל זֶה; עַל כֵּן הַהֶכְרֵחַ לְזָרֵז בִּשְׁעַת מַעֲשֶׂה כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זַ"ל (בְּמִדְבַּר רַבָּה ז). אַשְׁרֶיךָ אִם תְּקַיֵּם דְּבָרַי, בְּוַדַּאי תַּחֲזִיק לִי טוֹבָה בָּזֶה וּבַבָּא לָנֶצַח.
Nussun of Breslov.
Segment 16
נָתָן הַנַּ"ל
[Hebrew: נָתָן הַנַּ"ל...]
Segment 17
וְשָׁלוֹם לִבְנִי הָרַבָּנִי וְכוּ' מוֹרֵנוּ הָרַב דָּוִד צְבִי שֶׁיִּחְיֶה.
And peace to all our anshei sh'lomaynu with great love. And peace to my dear friend as my soul — the rabbinical scholar — the distinguished nagid — our Teacher the Rabbi Yaakov — may his light shine.
Segment 18
מִכְתָּבְךָ קִבַּלְתִּי פַּעֲמַיִם. הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ יְחַזֵּק לְבָבְךָ שֶׁתִּזְכֶּה לַעֲסֹק בְּתוֹרָה וּתְפִלָּה וּמַעֲשִׂים טוֹבִים בְּכָל יוֹם כָּרָאוּי, כִּי חוּץ מִזֶּה הַכֹּל הֶבֶל. וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ מַה שֶּׁכָּתַבְתָּ שֶׁקָּשֶׁה לְךָ לְשַׁבֵּר הַיֵּצֶר הָרָע בְּעִנְיַן הַמַּלְבּוּשִׁים, הֲלֹא אַתָּה מֻכְרָח לְשַׁבֵּר מֵחֲמַת שֶׁלְּעֵת עַתָּה אֵין בְּיָדְךָ. וּכְבָר הוֹדֵיתָ בְּמִכְתָּבְךָ שֶׁקָּשֶׁה גַּם לִקְנוֹת לְךָ מִיצִיל בְּסַךְ ג' ד רוּבָּל־חָדָשׁ, עַל כֵּן אַל תּוֹסִיף לַחֲשֹׁב בָּזֶה כְּלָל. הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ יַצְלִיחֲךָ וִיפַרְנֶסְךָ בְּכָבוֹד, וְהָעִקָּר שֶׁתַּכְרִיחַ עַצְמְךָ לִלְמֹד וְלוֹמַר תְּפִלּוֹת וּתְהִלִּים בְּכָל יוֹם, וְתִשְׁמֹר עַצְמְךָ מְאֹד מְאֹד מִמַּחֲשָׁבוֹת רָעוֹת, וּבִפְרָט מֵהִרְהוּרִים חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, וְתַמְשִׁיךְ מַחֲשַׁבְתְּךָ מֵרַע לְטוֹב. וְתִזְכֹּר תָּמִיד הַסִּדְרָא שֶׁל אוֹתוֹ הַשָּׁבוּעַ וּמַה שֶּׁכָּתוּב בָּהּ. וְיֵשׁ בָּזֶה הַרְבֵּה לְדַבֵּר אַךְ אֵין פְּנַאי כְּלָל.
I could not restrain myself — from the very immensity of my love for you — to strengthen you and to urge you — that you should have no doubts whatsoever — G-d forbid — in your heart — regarding Rosh Hashana coming upon us for good. Only say with a whole heart: Baruch she'hecheyanu v'kiyemanu v'higianu laz'man hazeh — that we merited to gather together with true people — worthy people — to assemble at the holy tziyun of the holy tzaddik — who promised to help all who come to him — in particular on Erev Rosh Hashana — and to be counted together on Rosh Hashana among us. What shall I say to you my brother — a little you heard and understood from afar — but more than this my son — be very very careful — that you should not be — G-d forbid — in the category of the deficiency that cannot be counted — that our Sages — of blessed memory — expounded (Chagiga 9b) — this is one whose companions were counted and so forth — in particular for such a holy and awesome work as this. And if you wish — you can read the above-mentioned letter — which was said also to you — and to each one according to what passes over him. And also remember well all that was spoken between them — and all the glimmering that glimmered in your heart — the light of truth — and so forth. And strengthen your soul to come in joy — bo tavo b'rinah — come with singing — with my son — may he live — and with our anshei sh'lomaynu. Nagila v'nismecha bishu'aso. And I am confident that without my words — certainly you would not have refrained — G-d forbid — from coming. But I come to add urgency. For well known to them is the multitude of the obstacles that spread themselves just then — specifically. And in truth all of them are mere illusion — for the essential is the obstacle of the mind — as is known to you all. Therefore it is necessary to urge at the time of action — as our Sages of blessed memory said (Bamidbar Rabbah 7). Blessed are you if you fulfil my words — certainly you will be grateful for this in this world and in the World to Come — forever.
Segment 19
דִּבְרֵי אָבִיךָ הַמַּעְתִּיר בַּעַדְכֶם.
And peace to my son — the rabbinical scholar — our Teacher the Rabbi Dovid Tzvi — may he live. He received his letter twice. May Hashem Yisborach strengthen his heart — that he merit to engage in Torah and prayer and good deeds every day as befitting — for besides this all is vanity. And he does not know what you wrote — that it is hard for you to break the evil inclination in the matter of the garments — are you not compelled to break it — for just now you do not have it in your hand. And you already admitted in your letter that it is also hard to buy yourself a coat for three or four new rubles — therefore do not add to think about this at all. May Hashem Yisborach make you successful and provide for you with dignity. And the essential is that you force yourself to learn and to say prayers and Tehillim every day — and guard yourself very very much from evil thoughts — and in particular from imaginings — G-d forbid — and draw your thought from bad to good. And always remember the weekly Torah portion and what is written in it. And there is much to speak of this — but there is no leisure at all.
Segment 20
נָתָן מִבְּרֶסְלֶב
Nussun of Breslov
Segment 21
וְשָׁלוֹם לְכָל אַנְשֵׁי שְׁלוֹמֵנוּ בְּאַהֲבָה רַבָּה וּרְחִימְתָן עֲזִיזָא.
Overview: Tuesday, Parshas Teitzei — Tshehrin — 5601. Note: significant portions missing — torn. To Yitzchok and all his household. He received his letter from the past Sunday in Krumintchag — and on the past Shabbas — Parshas Shoftim — he returned here. And on the past Sunday he received his letter a second time — and today a third time — with the letters from his son from Breslov — and all of them greatly gave life to his soul. Even though all of them greatly pained him — from the immensity of the bitterness of your cry in every letter — even so he greatly magnified the joy over the melancholy — upon seeing the immensity of the strength of your good heart in the point of truth. And you understand from afar how much and how much you need to always strengthen yourself — and every day anew — however it will be — however it will be. For the sake of Hashem — hold fast to this — for it is your life forever. And know and believe — that all that passes over you has already passed over many more people — who are far more fitting than you. And in particular now in this generation. And examine well his holy words — and this is the secret intention of Elul — to be expert in the halacha — expert in the going out — expert in the returning — expert in entering — expert in departing — which is the aspect of "im esak shamayim sham atah — v'atziyah she'ol hineka." And his intention is according to its plain meaning — that even one who is literally in the lowest depths of hell — let him say "hineka." Only there is in this a great and awesome secret — the secret of the attainment of ma'aseh merkavah at the very highest level — and there is no one who can give life to the fallen souls in these generations — except the one who revealed this Torah — and warned them to fulfil "v'atziyah she'ol hineka." All will be turned for good. All these words — and more — have strengthened his soul and how many more souls. "Hafoch bahem v'hafoch bahem." And today — Wednesday — arrived with Hashem's help — and just now he arose from his bed — and chadashim la'b'karim rabbah emunasecha — chasdei Hashem ki lo samu — strengthened him in His abundant compassion to write these words — that flow from the wellsprings of salvation. He is preoccupied — for he intends to travel today to Medevedivke for Shabbas — and after Shabbas he will travel to Uman with Hashem's help. And may the joy of Hashem be their strength — in particular on the holy Rosh Hashana. Then: postscript to Rabbi Yaakov — he could not restrain himself from the immensity of his love — to urge him — that he should have no doubts whatsoever in his heart regarding Rosh Hashana — only say with a whole heart: Baruch she'hecheyanu — that they merited to assemble at the holy tziyun of the holy tzaddik — who promised to help all who come to him — in particular on Erev Rosh Hashana. Nagila v'nismecha bishu'aso. And postscript to his son Dovid Tzvi — force yourself to learn and to say prayers and Tehillim every day — guard yourself very much from evil thoughts — and draw your thought from bad to good — and always remember the weekly Torah portion.
Segment 22
מִכְתָּבִים דִּשְׁנַת ה' אֲלָפִים תר"ב