ב"ה, כ"א שבט, תשי"ח
ברוקלין.
שלום וברכה!
במענה למכתבו מר"ה לאילנות, בו כותב:
א) אשר עומד הוא בשינוים ואף שמחליט מזמן לזמן אחרת אינו עומד בהחלטתו זו וכו'.
והנה כבר מלתו אמורה בכ"מ בדא"ח ומהם בספר התניא אשר ולאום מלאום יאמץ וגו' ואין ליפול ברוחו ובעצבות ח"ו, על ידי זה כיון שאצל כו"כ זוהי דרך עבודתם וכמו שנתבאר בארוכה בכ"מ שם (וימצאם במפתח הענינים שלבסוף ספר התניא), וכל יאוש בהנוגע לענינים רוחנים ויאוש כהנ"ל בפרט אין זה אלא מפיתויי היצר ותחבולותיו, וק"ל.
ב) כותב סברתו לבוא ללמוד בישיבת תו"ת אשר בכאן אבל אינו ברור, מפני מה אינו יכול ללמוד בהתמדה ושקידה בהישיבות הנמצאות במקומו עתה, ובאם ברצונו ללמוד בישיבת תומכי תמימים כדאי שיסע ללמוד בישיבת תו"ת אשר בסמיכות מקום אליו, זאת אומרת בסביבת פאריז, כמובן לאחרי שיתכתב עמהם ויודיע להם ידיעותיו וכו' ויברר היש שם חברות מתאימה בשבילו.
בטח יודע משלשת השיעורים דחומש תהלים ותניא הידועים, ועכ"פ ישמור עליהם מכאן ולהבא.
Below is the transcription, introduction, and summary of the audio recording featuring a letter from the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Introduction
In this audio recording, the class explores a letter written by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, found in Volume 16 of the Igros Kodesh (Holy Letters), letter #6,067. The letter, dated the 21st of Shevat, 5718 (1958), is a response to a young man in France who expressed frustration over his lack of consistency in spiritual resolutions and asked for guidance regarding his Torah studies.
Transcription
The Holy Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 16, Letter 6,067. Baruch Hashem, 21st of Shevat, 5718. Peace and blessing.
In response to your letter of Rosh Hashanah L'Ilanos [Tu B'Shevat], the 15th of Shevat, in which he writes:
Number one: His issue is, you know, people a lot of times make decisions, but they don't… resolutions don't last. So he’s telling the Rebbe that he’s always changing. And even though from time to time he makes a decision or a resolution, he cannot stand by his resolution, etc.
It’s funny—not interesting—one time in a personal meeting, this was one of the points that was told to the Rebbe. And the Rebbe said, in short, as the Rebbe has been seen to write to other people:
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Don't make too big resolutions, so it'll be easier to hold on to them.
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Share your resolution with somebody else—with a friend, with a teacher—and you'll be embarrassed if you don't keep the commitment.
In any event, so the Rebbe says: The answer to your issue of not being able to stick it out with your resolution has already been spoken of many times in Chassidus, and amongst them in the book of Tanya. And that there is a struggle in a person's life. U’leom mi’leom ye’ematz [one nation shall be stronger than the other]—the Rebbe quotes the verse—one force is opposite the other force.
Don't feel down and upset, God forbid, by that. Don't feel bad because you are not consistent or always changing. The Rebbe said: Don't let this cause you to feel down and become depressed and sad. Because for many, this is part of the path, the way they serve Hashem, as explained at length in many places—and the Rebbe said you can find them in the index to the topics in the end of the book of Tanya.
And the Rebbe says: Any time to give up when it comes to spiritual matters, or giving up and not making decisions anymore—especially that—is only part of the persuasion of the [Evil] Inclination and part of his tricks. It is very easy to understand, so the Rebbe says: Don't fall for it.
The inclination is trying to tell you your resolutions don't hold, don't bother, you're no good. No, this is part of the service. Sometimes we struggle. In other words, failing is also part of the pathway. You can’t expect to be perfect all the time.
Number two: He writes to the Rebbe that he has an idea to come to learn in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Brooklyn by the Rebbe. But the Rebbe says it's not clear: Why can't you just learn with diligence and devotion in the Yeshivas that are where you live now?
And if you want to learn in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim—in other words, in a Lubavitcher Yeshiva—it's proper to learn in a Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim that is close to where you are. Because he is from France, the Rebbe says that's in the areas of Paris, in the area over there.
The Rebbe says, obviously, you’re going to have to communicate with them in writing and tell them how much you know, etc. And you should find out: is there a proper study partner for you?
And the Rebbe says, for sure you know of the three daily classes—Chumash, Tehillim, Tanya—that are known as Chitas. At least keep them from here on in.
So, the Rebbe advises him not to become despondent because he can't stick to his decisions and he fluctuates. The Rebbe says that's part of the pathway; a lot of people do that. The Rebbe says look into the Tanya. Certainly do not give up and do not throw in the towel.
Regarding coming to learn in Brooklyn, the Rebbe says it is better to learn in the Yeshiva near you in Paris. Of course, consult them, ask them to have a chavrusah [study partner], and the Rebbe reminds him about keeping the three classes of Chitas.
Summary
In this audio, the class explores how the Lubavitcher Rebbe provides spiritual and practical guidance to a student struggling with self-discipline. The Rebbe emphasizes that the internal struggle between good and evil inclinations is a fundamental part of human nature and spiritual growth, as documented in the Tanya. He warns the writer not to fall into the "trap" of the Evil Inclination, which uses feelings of failure and depression to discourage a person from making further spiritual efforts.
Regarding the student's education, the Rebbe suggests that rather than moving to Brooklyn, he should remain in France and enroll in the local branch of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Paris. He advises the student to find a dedicated study partner (chavrusah) and ensures he is committed to Chitas—the daily study of Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya.