Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6499 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem*,

25 Elul* 5718,

Brooklyn, New York,

To the sons and daughters of Israel, wherever they may be,

may Hashem* grant them long life,

Extensive greetings and blessings,

The month of Elul* and especially the days of Selichos*, as well as the Ten Days of Teshuvah*, are the time (note 1: The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "See the Tur* Orach Chaim*, at the beginning of chapter 581") to establish an honest moral accounting, without deceiving oneself, of the year that has just passed, in order to deduce from it the good resolutions that one must adopt for the coming year, at home as in all one's concerns. Furthermore, these days are auspicious and, according to the central idea of the Psalm that is recited twice daily: "Seek My Face. Hashem*, I will seek Your Face," they imply (note 2: The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "See the Likkutei Torah*, Parshas* Re'eh, at page 32b") and demand such a search — that of a deep and inner content, around oneself, in the soul and in the world. In this way, one finds and brings to light the Divinity that vivifies the world and fills it.

These two points — the moral accounting and the search for "My Face" — are linked and one depends on the other. In establishing the accounting of the past, indeed, one very often commits an error by taking into account only what is superficial and external, in oneself as in one's surroundings. And it is the same when one establishes a plan and a way of life for the coming year. Such, therefore, are the call and the demand of these days. One must evaluate one's own strengths and capacities.

As important as the revealed strengths may be, the evident possibilities at one's disposal to conform one's daily existence to the teachings of our Torah*, Torah* of life, as determined and strong as a person's character may be — enabling him not to be affected by a hostile environment, to follow the path of the Torah* and the Mitzvos* — he must know that he still possesses "in reserve" much more than this: opportunities that he can bring to light through the appropriate effort, immense inner strengths, the determination and the power leading him to implement in his life that which constitutes the good and the truth.

For this, it is necessary to put into practice the words of the verse: "Seek My Face." One must search for and bring to light one's strengths and capacities. Then, "you will find when you search" — one will be able to obtain such a result, after having searched for and demanded what is appropriate.

* * *

What has just been said applies specifically and much more broadly to spiritual guides, to Rabbanim*, and even to fathers — those who give life and who animate the moral existence of the home and the family. One can observe that at every step, at every stage, they are seized by doubt and fear: perhaps such a word is too severe, perhaps one demands too much, perhaps some are repelled because of it.

It is therefore to them that the call and the demand of this period are addressed: "Seek My Face." One must observe, search for, and express the deep dimension of those to whom one extends one's influence. One must evaluate their capacities according to their inner richness, according to the worth of their soul, which is "a part of Divinity, truly" (note 3: The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "Iyov 31:2. The Tanya*, at the beginning of chapter 2, adds: 'truly'"). With the appropriate approach and effort on their part, one can bring to light (note 4: The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "See the Rambam*, Laws of Divorce, at the end of chapter 2, who says: 'He wishes to belong to the people of Israel. He wishes to fulfill all the Mitzvos* and to distance himself from the Prohibitions'") the hidden riches and strengths (note 5: The Rebbe notes at the bottom of the page: "Commenting on the verse: 'You will be a land of desire,' the Baal Shem Tov* explains that the greatest Sages cannot attain the immense treasures hidden in every Jew, a land of desire of Hashem*, as my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, writes, according to what is reported by the Hayom Yom*, at page 54") that each of them conceals within himself, so that they may manifest themselves, including in daily existence. One must therefore come to their aid, give them what they wish to receive — a Torah* of integrity, with all its Mitzvos*, with the fundamental idea that: "The Torah* is eternal," in every era and in every place.

* * *

It is precisely through such an approach that one establishes an honest accounting, that one succeeds in evaluating one's own strengths and those of the people one wishes to guide on the right path. This accounting will bear on the past and on the manner of organizing the future, so that the coming year may be "full" of the appropriate content, in everything that depends on man.

It is therefore in this manner that one fills one's year, in particular with the blessings of Hashem* in all domains, material and spiritual. With my blessing that you be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year,

Menachem Schneerson,