6003 —צום כתשובה, הדרכה על תעניות ארבעים יום ואלטרנטיבות

B"H, 22 Teves, 5718. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 14th of Teves, it is self-understood that I was very disturbed by its content, especially the conclusion of your letter, where it appears you wish to fast for forty days. Such conduct is contrary to what Rabbeinu HaZaken [the Baal HaTanya—decisor in the hidden aspects of Torah—and the Shulchan Aruch—decisor in the revealed aspects of Torah] writes in his Igeres HaTeshuvah. Therefore, I hasten to write to you and am sending this letter express. May Hashem Yisbarach help that it will have its intended effect; that is, even if you have already accepted upon yourself what was mentioned above in a manner that requires a release from three people, you should do so and tell them that you did not know what is written in Igeres HaTeshuvah [see there chapter 3 (page 92b)], and—that this also goes against the well-known teaching of the Baal Shem Tov on the verse 'Ki Tireh Chamor Sonacha Roveitz Tachas Masa'o... Azov Ta'azov Imo' ("If you see your enemy's donkey lying under its burden... you shall surely help with him") [see Hayom Yom, 28 Shevat (page 23)].

The forty-day fasts can be substituted by doing two things: a) Giving tzedakah in such a way that by Purim or Pesach this year you will have given approximately $27; b) Exchanging them for partial-day fasts—meaning over several years dividing them into fasts until midday; this can be spread over nine years ^[1].

It is therefore clear that your writing about abstaining from your wife—may she live—is entirely against my opinion. You must conduct yourself according to the laws of our holy Torah regarding family purity but not with abstinence, especially since this also causes pain to another person—which takes up great importance according to Shulchan Aruch.

Regarding your question about doing things for rectification (tikkun), you should make sure to recite by heart several chapters of Mishnayos and at least one chapter of Tanya (it can also be from the smaller chapters), and every weekday before davening give tzedakah and keep up with daily study sessions of Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya every day—and all this should be done without making a vow.

Awaiting good news regarding all the above—and soon.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that fasting as teshuvah should follow halachic guidance rather than personal stringency. Charity and daily learning are preferred alternatives. Proper observance of family purity laws is emphasized over unnecessary abstinence.