6285 —חשיבות לימוד חסידות בעומק בדורנו

B"H, 29 Iyar, 5718.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Ben Tzion Yakubovitz

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was pleased to receive your letter from the 37th day of the Omer, and as always, everything follows the signature, which states that you are, thank G‑d, feeling well, etc. May it be G‑d's will that you return to your full strength both literally and in every sense, as explained in the discourse "Maskil LeEitan" by our master the Alter Rebbe (printed in Kuntres Limud HaChassidus).

Since you sign after your signature that you are a descendant of the pillars of Chassidus, my strong hope is that you have set times for studying their teachings in addition to conducting yourself according to this Torah path. Surely you also increase from time to time in all this, as our Torah instructs us to always ascend in holiness.

It is certainly unnecessary to point out that if in previous generations it was possible to suffice with chassidic conduct or reciting concepts of Chassidus as a segulah without deep understanding and comprehension—since then the world was not so immersed in intellects opposed to Torah; Judaism was visible even on the street and certainly at home—in our era, when people are immersed in schemes and cunning of secular wisdoms (and not a small part—in "wisdoms" of heresy), and additionally invest their Chabad intellect primarily into livelihood matters, while unusual winds blow through the streets etc., it is obvious there must be an equal and opposite increase: we must deepen our understanding through profound study of the inner dimension of Torah called in Zohar haKadosh "the Tree of Life," which adds vitality to learning Nigleh Torah and fulfilling its mitzvos etc., extending even to the physical life of a Jewish person—which is also holy. These matters are explained at length elsewhere, including Iggeres HaKodesh by our master the Alter Rebbe (the halachic authority for Nistar) and Shulchan Aruch (the halachic authority for Nigleh) section 26, as well as Kuntres Etz Chaim by his grandson and successor Admor Maharashab.

May it be G‑d's will that also regarding this study you will soon report feeling well and increasing etc.

Blessings for proper health and good news regarding all mentioned above, and for receiving the Torah with joy and inwardness.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that especially today we must engage deeply with Chassidus—not just superficially—so its inner light can counteract external influences and infuse both spiritual practice and daily life with true holiness.