5842 —גאולה מידית בתניא ומשמעותה האמיתית

B"H, 13th of Marcheshvan 5718. Brooklyn.

Mar Avraham Moshe shiyichyeh

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 5th of Cheshvan, where you raise the point mentioned in chapter 11 of Igeres HaTeshuvah by our master the Alter Rebbe, about how it is possible that one returns and sins between the blessing of 'Forgive us' and 'Redeemer of Israel.' However, it is not explained what compels him to interpret the Alter Rebbe's words—'they return and sin'—as referring to that specific time. For although regarding asking for forgiveness and pardon, He Who is abundant in forgiveness grants it immediately when we request 'Forgive us,' for what could delay it*, nevertheless regarding redemption—even though the wording is 'they are redeemed immediately,' its meaning is not like the aforementioned 'immediately,' since there is an order to redemption: the coming of Eliyahu HaNavi and several matters before and after this, as explained in many teachings of our Sages. By the way, this idea—that redemption comes immediately after teshuvah—is also found in Rambam, Hilchos Teshuvah chapter 7 halachah 5^[3].

You surely know about the three well-known daily study portions in Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya; at least maintain them from now on.

With blessing.

* And note also Kiddushin 49b.

Summary

The Rebbe distinguishes between immediate forgiveness—which occurs as soon as we sincerely ask—and immediate redemption, which follows a divinely ordained sequence. Consistent Torah study strengthens our connection to these truths.