2500 —התגברות על מכשולים באמצעות שמחה בתורה ובמצוות

B"H, 2nd Adar II, 5714.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Yehuda Leib

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from 3/5. It is surprising that in your letter you do not mention anything about your good activities in spreading Torah and Judaism in your surroundings, which you are surely doing according to the ruling of our Sages: "It is presumed that an agent fulfills his mission." And every single Jew is an agent of the Supreme Man upon the throne, so to speak, as explained in Likkutei Torah at the beginning of Parshas Vayikra.

It is understood that in fulfilling this mission there are various obstacles and hindrances from the nature of the world and from each individual's personal circumstances. However, our Sages have given us a tried-and-true piece of advice: joy breaks through barriers—specifically, joy associated with mitzvos, whether actual mitzvos or the general directive which is a great principle in Torah: "In all your ways know Him." Despite everything, what Rambam writes at the end of Hilchos Lulav (chapter 8, laws 15–16) regarding joy still applies.

Especially suited for this matter are these days—the days of Adar—when we increase in joy, and particularly in a leap year when it is customary (as ruled in Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim siman 686:7) to increase in joy both in Adar I and Adar II.

With blessings for your son sheyichyeh and with blessing.

P.S. In a separate package I am sending you a Tanya which was recently published for the first time in the United States.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that while spreading Torah may encounter obstacles, these can be overcome through true joy—especially joy connected to mitzvos. Increasing such joy during Adar empowers one to break through all barriers and fulfill their Divine mission.