ב"ה, ט"ו אלול, תשט"ו
ברוקלין.
שלום וברכה!
במענה על מכתבו מיום הששי, בו כותב אשר כמה שנים למד בישיבת חב"ד ומפני סיבות שונות יצא משם וכשרונותיו בלימוד טובים אבל אינו מתמיד בלימודים.
ולפלא שאינו מרגיש עד כמה מבהיל ענין כזה, ומה שמתאר הסיבות שהן סיבות שונות, הנה אינם שונות ואינם חדשות, וכבר מבוארים בתורתנו הק' שהסיבה היא אחת שנשמעים לקול מלך זקן וכסיל הוא היצה"ר המשתדל למנוע את איש הישראלי לקבל עליו מצותיו של הקב"ה אשר תלמוד תורה כנגד כולם, ותמיהני שאינו מזכיר במה מתעסק עתה, ובכל אופן ישתדל ככל יכולתו, ויגעת ולא מצאת אל תאמין, להמשיך בלימודים בישיבה וילמוד בהתמדה ושקידה, ואין הדבר תלוי אלא בו, והשי"ת יתן לו שנת הצלחה בכל האמור לעיל וכתיבה וחתימה טובה.
בברכה לתלמוד תורה ביראת שמים,
בשם כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א
מזכיר
Translation of the letter:
"B"H, 15th of Elul, 5725
Brooklyn.
Shalom uBracha!
In response to his letter from Friday, in which he writes that he studied for several years at the Chabad Yeshiva and left there for various reasons, and while his learning abilities are good, he does not persist in his studies.
It is astonishing that he does not realize how serious this matter is, and what he describes as various reasons are neither different nor new; as our holy Torah explains, the reason is one: listening to the voice of the old and foolish king, which is the yetzer hara (evil inclination) striving to prevent the Jewish man from accepting upon himself the commandments of Hashem, for which Torah study is equivalent to all others. It is surprising that he does not mention what he is currently involved in. In any case, he should strive with all his ability, and if he has exerted himself and not found success, he should not believe [it], but continue to study in the yeshiva and to study with diligence and perseverance, and the matter depends only on him, and may the Almighty grant him a year of success in all the above and a good inscription and sealing.
With blessing for Torah study with fear of Heaven,
In the name of His Holiness our Master, Teacher, and Rebbe, long shall he live, The Secretary"
B"H, 15th of Elul, 5715.
Brooklyn.
Shalom u'Vrachah!
In response to your letter from Friday, in which you write that you studied for several years at the Chabad Yeshiva and left for various reasons, and although your abilities in learning are good, you do not persist in your studies.
It is astonishing that you do not realize how serious this matter is. What you describe as various reasons are neither different nor new; as our holy Torah explains, the reason is one: listening to the voice of the old and foolish king—that is, the yetzer hara—who tries to prevent a Jewish person from accepting upon himself the commandments of Hashem, for which Torah study is equivalent to all others.
I am surprised that you do not mention what you are currently involved in. In any case, you should strive with all your ability; if you have exerted yourself and not found success, do not believe it—continue to study in yeshiva with diligence and perseverance. The matter depends only on you. May Hashem grant you a year of success in all of the above and a good inscription and sealing.
With blessing for Torah study with fear of Heaven,
In the name of His Holiness our Master, Teacher, and Rebbe—may he live long—the Secretary
Summary
The Rebbe teaches that excuses for leaving Torah study are rooted in the yetzer hara. True success comes through persistent effort and personal responsibility in learning.