3244 —אתערותא דלתתא צריכה לבוא ממאמץ עצמי

B"H, 1st of Shevat, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from the 15th of Teves. I was pleased to read that the matter of your residence has been arranged in some fashion, and especially what you wrote about beginning to set a date for the wedding with G‑d's help. In all times, and particularly in our generation, the sages are not pleased with a long delay before marriage—especially when the reason is that financial calculations are not fully satisfactory. This is despite what our sages taught: "A person does not know from what he will earn his livelihood." See Iggeres HaKodesh by Rabbeinu HaZaken at the beginning of section 22: "They are made equal to each other."

What you wrote regarding how to receive an 'it'aruta d'letata' (arousal from below) is contradictory from beginning to end. An it'aruta d'letata must come from below—that is its very nature—and not be received from above. The path for this is well-trodden by many, and even more so—the well-known path with the added "hei" and "lamed-beit" (see Bava Basra 100b), as Rabbeinu HaZaken said: "The essence of teshuvah is in the heart," as explained in many places, especially in chassidic works: Iggeres HaTeshuvah by Rabbeinu HaZaken; Derech HaChaim by his son, Admor HaEmtza'i; Mitzvas HaTeshuvah—printed in Derech Mitzvosecha—by tzt"z, his grandson, etc.

Certainly it is unnecessary to remind you about the yahrzeit of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal nishmaso Eden, on the tenth day of the eleventh month approaching soon. As explained about yahrzeits—especially those of a Nasi Yisrael—in Iggeres HaKodesh by Rabbeinu HaZaken section 27 and its explanation, in Siddur Shaar Lag BaOmer and elsewhere; surely you will utilize this auspicious time for all the above.

As you requested, I will mention you and all those you write about at the holy resting place of the one whose yahrzeit it is. May it be G‑d's will that there be success both materially and spiritually together.

With blessings to direct your practical halachic observance in daily life—especially since many depend on you.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that true spiritual awakening must come through one's own effort rather than waiting for external inspiration. He also emphasizes timely marriage and making use of spiritually opportune moments for growth and blessing.