Igrot Kodesh · Letter 3797 — Faith & Bitachon
Volume 11 · Letter 420
B"H
25 Elul 5715
Brooklyn
Greetings and blessings,
I received with pleasure your letter of 20 Elul, which followed a long interruption. You tell me that your love and fear of Hashem have weakened (during prayer).
As you know, the Alter Rebbe* writes in chapter 31 of the Tanya*: "One will cast off sadness and attain true joy. One will value one's own soul, so that it may rejoice more clearly."
Moreover, one should meditate on the content of chapter 33, according to which one can reach such an elevation solely by understanding the meaning of the words one pronounces (i.e., through a manner of prayer that is accessible to all). In such a case, one is filled with great joy, which is even "a double and manifold joy."
More specifically, one should maintain awareness of the Torah* and the mitzvos* that one must fulfill, for oneself and for one's surroundings. In this way, one will no longer have time to be sad. Moreover, this feeling of sadness constitutes an obstacle to the service of Hashem, as explained in the Tanya*, chapter 26, and in various other texts.
The teaching of our masters is also well known, transmitted by my father-in-law, the Rebbe [the Frierdiker Rebbe*], according to which every Jew can derive a lesson from the Tanya*, even if some will contemplate it profoundly and others much less so. Indeed, the verse "for the matter is very close to you" (which appears on the title page of the Tanya*) applies to all equally.
May Hashem grant that you strengthen yourself on the path of fulfilling the injunction: "Serve Hashem with joy," and that you guide others in this direction. Hashem will grant you success.
On the occasion of the new year that approaches, for us and for all of Israel*, for good and for blessing, I send you my blessing, for you and for all your family, that you be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year, materially and spiritually.
With my blessing for good tidings,