In the holy letters of the Rebbe, Igros Kodesh, Volume 16, Letter Number 6109, dated Boruch Hashem, the 11th of Adar, 5718, Brooklyn, the Rebbe writes:

Shalom u’vracha.

The Rebbe begins by acknowledging receipt of the writer’s letter, which included a pidyon nefesh—a request for blessing and assistance.

The Rebbe writes that at an auspicious time he will mention the request at the holy tziyun of his father-in-law, the Rebbe, with all the appropriate titles, asking that the writer’s needs be fulfilled as described in his letter.

The Rebbe then notes an important detail.

When one prays for another person or mentions someone in a prayer for blessing or healing, it is customary to include the name of the person together with the name of his mother.

The Rebbe observes that the writer did not include his mother’s name in the pidyon nefesh.

Therefore, the Rebbe asks that he send his mother’s name written in Lashon Kodesh, in Hebrew, since this is the proper way to mention a person in prayer.

The Rebbe then emphasizes a general principle.

The more a person increases in matters of Torah and mitzvos, the more he draws down blessings in all the areas of life that he needs.

Since the writer had described certain needs and requests in his letter, the Rebbe reminds him that strengthening his spiritual life is the way to increase Divine blessing.

Because the writer was a yeshivah student, the Rebbe emphasizes that he should especially increase in Torah study.

The Rebbe notes that the Torah is called “Toras Chayim”, the Torah of life.

This means that Torah does not only guide spiritual life, but it also brings blessing and vitality to a person’s life in this world.

The Rebbe then addresses another issue raised in the letter.

The writer had mentioned that he struggles with forgetfulness and asked the Rebbe for guidance on how to improve his memory.

The Rebbe suggests several practices.

First, the Rebbe writes that it is known that there is a segulah—a spiritual remedy—for improving memory by being careful with Tevilas Ezra, the practice of immersing in a mikvah.

Second, the Rebbe advises that when studying Torah and when praying, one should look inside the text rather than relying solely on memory.

In other words, when davening one should pray from the siddur, and when learning Torah one should study from the sefer itself.

The Rebbe emphasizes the importance of reading the words directly from the book.

At the same time, the Rebbe also suggests strengthening memory through memorization.

The writer should become proficient in several chapters of Mishnayos by heart, and at the very least he should memorize one chapter of Tanya.

This combination—studying carefully from the text while also committing portions to memory—helps sharpen and strengthen one’s memory.

The Rebbe adds another important practice.

Each weekday morning, before Shacharis, the writer should set aside several coins for tzedakah.

Acts of charity open channels for blessing and success in all areas of life.

The Rebbe concludes with a blessing that the writer should receive the blessings he seeks and signs the letter in the name of the Rebbe.

The message of the letter is clear: when a person is seeking improvement in physical matters of life, one of the most effective paths is to strengthen his spiritual life—through Torah study, prayer, mitzvos, and charity.

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Synopsis (≤325 characters)

 

The Rebbe advises a yeshivah student seeking blessing and help with forgetfulness to increase Torah study, pray from a siddur, immerse in a mikvah (Tevilas Ezra), memorize Mishnayos and Tanya, and give daily tzedakah. Spiritual growth draws down blessing and strengthens memory.