Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4524 — Faith & Bitachon

B"H

10 Tammuz 5716

Brooklyn

I greet you and bless you.

I received with surprise your letter from the eve of Shabbos*, in which, after recounting your life story, you arrive at the conclusion — presented as self-evident — that the only means at your disposal to establish yourself in life is to study English, then chemistry. Only in this case will you be able to place your trust in Hashem and find your place.

All of this shows to what extent the yetzer hara* is capable of deceiving a person, whereas in your entire surroundings there is not a single person who has followed this path. How then can you imagine that it should be so — and even more, take the firm decision that all other paths are not for you, that only this new path will ensure you a good situation? And you specify that this will be the case in the spiritual domain as well!

Of course, you also say that if a particular miracle occurs, you will be able to establish yourself in another manner. It is quite obvious that what you write about that yeshivah* student in no way confirms your words. That young man comes from an entirely different background, and even if he devotes several hours a day to secular studies, may Hashem grant that your enthusiasm for these studies be no greater than his, and that your ardor for the study of Chassidus* be as great as his — that you advance on the straight path, as he himself does, from year to year.

Concretely, it is said of you as of all other Jews that "one who claims not to have labored and yet to have found success — do not believe him." It is also said of you as of all other Jews that "no one knows how he will earn his livelihood," as Iggeres HaKodesh* explains in chapter 22. This allows one to set aside all calculations, especially since you wish to follow a path that no one has taken in your milieu. You do not even imagine the trials you will have to face, the difficulties confronted by young men like you in finding a place.

You say you experience no pleasure in such-and-such a thing and in such-and-such another. This evokes someone who would say he has pleasure in fasting and feels disgust for sumptuous dishes. Stubborn will, contrary to all logic, can also, in time, lead to this.

I do not know who suggested this astonishing and painful idea to you, nor why you do not see where it leads. If you wish to rely on my opinion and my counsel, then abandon all these ideas of a career. Study exclusively the revealed dimension of Torah and Chassidus, with constancy and ardor, for another three or four years. If you do so, I am convinced that you will establish yourself fittingly, that you will earn your livelihood, materially and spiritually. Obviously, you must not deceive yourself — must not convince yourself that all the others wish you ill and do not seek your good.

With my blessing,

For the Rebbe Shlita*,

the secretary,