4117 —מלחמה בעצב וגישת אתגרים בשמחה כמצוה

B"H, 17 Shevat, 5716.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z ba'al middos etc. Baruch Litvin

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your registered letter from Tuesday with the enclosure. Thank you for your prompt reply, even though it was written with much melancholy, regarding the synagogue and the battle you are waging so that the shul will be run as it should be.

I emphasize the matter of melancholy because, as we have heard many times from my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal (may his merit protect us), and as is also clearly seen, when one goes into battle, if one is sad and downcast, this itself weakens one's ability to wage the battle. But when one imagines that he is fulfilling the instruction of our holy Torah which was given to us by the Creator of the world, he does so with a completely different vitality, and this itself greatly increases the chances and hastens victory.

I hope you will not suspect me of being a preacher or giving rebuke; rather my intention in what I wrote above is to inspire more action and to increase trust and joy in another Jew. It is well known the chassidic saying: "Ivdu es Hashem b'simchah" (Serve G‑d with joy), that even Tisha B'Av—which will soon be transformed into joy and gladness with the coming of our righteous Moshiach—the fasting and reciting of lamentations must also be done with a feeling of joy at having the great fortune and opportunity to fulfill the command of the King of kings, Hakadosh Baruch Hu. And as ruled in Rambam at the end of Hilchos Lulav: one who avoids joy deserves retribution etc., but one who does so—this is a great service; see there.

Enclosed is the letter from the lawyer, and I hope that if you have further news about this—and may it be G‑d's will that they are good tidings—you will inform me; thank you in advance.

An excerpt from your letter I am forwarding to Pittsburgh, and I am certain that if they need your help further in this matter, you will do so. May Hashem grant you success.

Blessings to achieve everything with joy and success.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that facing challenges with sadness weakens one's efforts, but approaching them as a mitzvah with joy brings strength and hastens success. Even difficult moments should be infused with happiness in serving G‑d.