2345 —התגברות על מחשבות מבלבלות בלימוד תורה ובתפלה

B"H, 15 Teves, 5714. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter with the enclosed pan, which I will read at an auspicious time at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal.

Regarding what you write in your letter that your heart is broken over your spiritual state, since you see yourself in a situation of ups and downs: look into Iggeres HaKodesh by our master the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch, printed at the end of Siddur Meah Shearim p. 30a beginning with 'LeHavin Etzah HaYeutzah,' etc. Surely someone among Anash in your area has this siddur. Also look into Torah Ohr on Parshas Vayeshev beginning with 'Shir HaMaalos.'

Practically speaking, it is known the saying of my father-in-law the Rebbe in the name of his father: any matter that disturbs Torah and avodah surely does not have a pure source; sometimes the yetzer hara dresses itself in a silk coat. And since it appears from your letter that these aforementioned thoughts are disturbing you from proper study and prayer, there is no doubt as to their source; therefore you must reject them. The advice for this is also explained in Tanya chapter 26 and onward. May Hashem grant you success.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that distracting thoughts during Torah study or prayer are tactics of the yetzer hara and must be dismissed without hesitation. He encourages seeking guidance from Tanya and related texts to overcome these obstacles and continue serving Hashem with clarity.