4701 —התגברות על ייאוש וחשיבות עבודת ה' בשמחה

B"H, 8 Elul, 5716.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from before Rosh Chodesh Elul, the month of mercy, which is filled with complaints about your situation and that you do not see success, even in your influence on your friends, etc.

It is already known the saying of our holy Rebbeim and Nesi'im that anything which helps or leads to actual service—any obstacle to this matter, even if it comes from a lofty source—is only a trick of the animal soul. All this applies to you: if these complaints increase your energy in Torah study, mitzvah observance, and spreading the wellsprings outward, perhaps they are worthwhile, though this is not the chassidic way of 'Serve Hashem with joy.' But if my concern is correct—that these complaints weaken you in all the above—then it is like the tried tactic of the yetzer hara who tells a person: 'Since you are not succeeding anyway and will not defeat me, there is no point in even starting,' G‑d forbid. The falsehood of this claim is clear: each one of us among all Israel has been promised a share in the World to Come and 'no one will be cast away.' In our generation there is an added point: as explained in my discourses for Shabbat Parshas Eikev and Shoftim—'VeHayah Eikev' (and it will be at the heel)—in Ikvesa d'Meshicha (the footsteps before Mashiach), 'tishme'un et ha-mishpatim ha-eleh' (you will surely listen to these laws), since this is the very last generation and there is no time left to delay clarifications; therefore 'you will surely listen.' With a little contemplation one can prove to the old king (the yetzer hara) that he is nothing but a cunning fool.

But it is even better not to enter into debate with him at all—for it wastes time and because 'whoever wrestles with a degenerate...' Rather, arouse your good inclination against him and clarify for yourself that although it says about Ikvesa d'Meshicha that 'not in haste shall you go out,' this refers to when redemption actually begins. But in these final moments of exile, on the contrary—each moment becomes more precious since soon will come those years about which it says 'I have no desire for them' (Shabbat 151b). Therefore it is necessary to utilize every moment as effectively as possible. Since a little light dispels much darkness, it is simple that straightforward Torah study and mitzvah observance are more effective than trying to dispel darkness by debating with the yetzer hara.

Accordingly, it is also clear why one must increase learning of pnimiyus haTorah—which brings love and awe for G‑d (see Rambam Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah ch.2; introduction to Sefer HaChinuch at its end)—and specifically every day. For this small measure protects even a large amount of revealed Torah study—as our Sages taught (Shabbat 31a): "He said to him: better if not..." As explained at length in Likkutei Torah Vayikra (6a), see there.

May it be Hashem's will that these few lines—few in quantity relative to their subject—will influence you so that you become someone who overflows inspiration onto others as well.

And for your birthday—which I am sure you observed according to Anash custom recently on your birthday—may it be a year of success for you in both revealed Torah study and Chassidus, with added beauty in mitzvah observance and prayer (which is primary), since prayer is like the spine supporting all 248 positive commandments—the body's limbs (see Likkutei Torah Balak p.74).

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that discouragement comes from the yetzer hara and should not deter us from joyful service. Instead, we must use every moment productively through Torah study and mitzvos, especially by increasing learning of pnimiyus haTorah daily.