On the way home from Galatz, they passed through Iasi and encountered a great plague there. The epidemic had spread to all the surrounding towns, making travel most difficult. It also caused them considerable trouble when they tried to cross the border. Coming from a plague area, even remaining in quarantine was not sufficient to let them cross.

But God was with them, and they were led safely through it all. They had seen plague and sword and famine and thirst and captivity, but with God’s help, they returned home safely.⁶⁶ #42, #43, #46). Immediately upon his return home, he went to visit Rabbi Shneur Zalman (later of Liadi) in Liozna (Avenehah Barzel, p. 34, #46).

footnotes: ⁶⁶ On his way home from Galatz, Rebbe Nachman passed through Iasi, Teplik and Uman. He also visited Rabbi Aryeh Leib, the Shpola Zeide (Grandfather or Sage of Shpola), and saw Rabbi Yekusiel, the Maggid of Terhovitza, when he passed through nearby Kornibolad (see Tzaddik

They returned complete and intact in body, possessions and Torah.⁶⁷ 33b on Genesis 33:18. Cf. Rashi ad loc. For in the Holy Land, the Rebbe was worthy of attaining a wondrously lofty perception, and his vision knew no bounds.

footnotes: ⁶⁷ Shabbat