2900 —להישאר ערים רוחנית בזמנים של קרירות

B"H, 3 Elul, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Morenu HaRav Avraham Sender

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from before Rosh Chodesh with the copy enclosed, I was pleased with the copy of your letter that you will send to the honored individual. As is known, when coldness prevails, one of the main things is not to allow oneself to fall asleep in any manner.

Surely you received my regards through your son-in-law Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Morenu HaRav Nisan, and also my request. I am confident that you are utilizing your time in his vicinity now to increase in Judaism in general and especially in matters of Chassidus—its teachings, guidance, and customs.

It is already known from the saying of Knesses Yisrael in the name of every Jew: Even though "I am asleep in exile, my heart is awake to the Holy One Blessed be He—to His Torah and mitzvos and to redemption," etc., as our Sages said in Shir HaShirim Rabbah. And "one who comes to purify is assisted," 'assisted' being plural (see Likkutei Torah Devarim 89d).

And in the month of Elul—which is found between Rosh Hashanah for animals and Rosh Hashanah for man—may Hashem grant each one of us success to transform the animal into a human.

Blessings for a good inscription for him and all his family.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that during times of spiritual coldness or apathy, it is crucial not to become complacent or spiritually asleep. Instead, one should use these moments as opportunities for growth—especially during Elul—transforming oneself and increasing in Torah and Chassidus.