5836 —אודות תענית דיבור ופעולה מכוונת

B"H, 10th of Menachem Av, 5718. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from Erev Shabbat Kodesh, in which you ask—following what our master the Alter Rebbe writes in Iggeres HaTeshuvah regarding giving tzedakah instead of fasting—whether a Ta’anis Dibur (speech fast) can also serve as a replacement. It is clear from the entire presentation in Iggeres HaTeshuvah that in this case it is not so; see also there chapter 3 and certainly the halachic authorities who require giving for every day of fasting, etc. The matter of Ta’anis Dibur and similar practices is its own concept and applies in certain cases (see also Sefer HaToldos Maharash p. 72 at the end), but it does not replace the fasts mentioned.

Regarding your question about the custom, etc., of giving coins ^[1], etc., it is questionable what practical difference this has for your situation. It is well known from our Sages that the Holy One did not create anything in His world for naught; this too teaches us that all a person’s thoughts, words, and actions must not be wasted but should have purpose and intent. The purpose and intent are as stated in the Mishnah: "I was created to serve my Maker," which is also understood from Rambam, Tur, and Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim siman 231—that "in all your ways know Him." The explanation of your aforementioned question still requires clarification as to what practical action results from it; all this so that people should not say etc.—it can be said that this is an explicit Gemara (Bava Basra 15b at the end).

I hope you are increasing from time to time not only in studying the revealed part of Torah but also in Chassidus, since it is an explicit ruling that one must always ascend in holiness.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that while Ta’anis Dibur has its place, it cannot replace traditional fasts. Every action, word, and thought should be purposeful—to serve our Creator—reminding us to seek meaning and intention in all we do.