729 —הפצת קונטרס ח"י אלול, הכנה רוחנית, והדרכה על תפלה ולימודים כלליים

B"H, Eve of Shabbat Kodesh, 13 Elul.

Hashem yisborach. Haraha"ch vavavac"h iy"a nu"m etc. Mehor"y shiy.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Enclosed here is the booklet for Chai Elul, may it soon be published with G‑d's help. Surely you will also merit to share it with the public: to enliven yourself and them, in accordance with the two sayings about Chai Elul: (a) To bring life into Elul; (b) To give vitality to the service of Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li (I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine). For this is the day when the luminaries were hung: the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov and the birthday of Admor HaZaken. They infused inner vitality into the service of Ani L'Dodi V'Dodi Li and gave their lives so that both Torah scholars and simple people would receive an extension of inner life and be able to live with inner vitality.

The Previous Rebbe explained (quoted at length in the introduction to the booklet) that from Chai Elul begins a special preparation for Rosh Hashanah. He adds elsewhere that at this time also begin three months of preparation for the service of Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus on Yud-Tes Kislev—the founders being: The Baal Shem Tov—the founder of general Chassidus; Admor HaZaken—the founder of Chabad Chassidus; and their successors are the Rebbes who fill their place up to and including the Previous Rebbe.

On this bright day—Chai Elul—everyone who has received word from the Previous Rebbe and his explanation about this day's theme will surely begin, with inner vitality, making a soul-accounting—a true reckoning in one's soul—of everything that happened over the past year, with regret for what is past and resolve for improvement in the future. This is a good preparation for both Rosh Hashanah in general and Rosh Hashanah of Chassidus. According to what the Previous Rebbe said, all this prepares one to receive a good inscription and sealing for a good year materially and spiritually.

With wishes for success in your work to merit many people, and with blessings for a good inscription and sealing.

M. Schneerson

* * *

Regarding your question whether to pray at sunrise after staying up all night or to sleep a bit beforehand so you can prepare yourself properly before G‑d—it depends on how much you can strengthen yourself not to fall asleep during prayer. I have not heard an explicit directive about this, but in my opinion, since there is intention required in prayer whose absence invalidates it altogether, generally it is better to follow the second path—especially for chassidim and Anash who have heard or learned about prayer.

* * *

I was shocked to hear that you are considering studying at some college or similar institution. My hope and confidence are that you will completely abandon this idea and calm my spirit with good news about this.

Summary

The Rebbe urges sharing inspiration from Chai Elul with others, highlights its role as spiritual preparation for Rosh Hashanah, advises ensuring proper focus during prayer even after sleepless nights, and strongly discourages pursuing secular college studies.