4847 —להקדיש שנה שלמה ללימודי קודש בהתמדה ושקידה

B"H, 17 Marcheshvan, 5717

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In answer to your letter of 14 Marcheshvan.

In my opinion, and after considering all the reasons you write, this year you should devote entirely to Torah study and learn with diligence and perseverance. I hope that with effort you will find a suitable study partner. It goes without saying that I do not mean anyone else's good, but this is for your own good. And if you learn this year with the proper diligence, then at the end of the year we will be able to talk over the questions you touch on at the end of your letter. It also goes without saying that there is no basis whatsoever to deliberate about your aptitudes and about learning being foreign [to you], etc., etc., for this is only a question of will^[1] — and when one learns without distractions, not thinking about other things (והכל עשה יפה בעתו, "He has made everything beautiful in its time," Koheles 3:11)^[2] — and at the appropriate time I am sure you will settle in and make use of your talents in such a way that you will be satisfied materially and also spiritually.

With blessing,

On behalf of the Rebbe shlita

Notes

[1] Only a question of will (נאר א פראגע פון וועלען): the recipient wrote that he doubted whether his aptitudes and inclinations suit learning, and that learning is foreign to him; the answer is that there is no basis for this, since success in learning depends on will and resolve, not on nature.

[2] He has made everything beautiful in its time (והכל עשה יפה בעתו): Koheles 3:11. Everything has its time; now is the time for learning, and the other questions in their time, at the end of the year.