6285 —חשיבות לימוד חסידות בעומק בדורנו

B"H, 29 Iyar, 5718.

Brooklyn.

Haravac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Ben Zion 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 full strength in every sense, as explained in the discourse "Maskil LeEitan" by our Alter Rebbe (printed in Kuntres Limud HaChassidus).

Since you sign after your signature that you are a descendant of the pillars of Chassidus, I strongly hope that you have set times for studying their teachings in addition to living according to them. Surely you also increase your study from time to time as our Torah commands 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 chassidic concepts as a segulah without deep understanding—since then the world was not so immersed in ideas contrary to Torah; Judaism was evident even on the street and certainly at home—then all the more so in our era when people are steeped in cunning strategies of secular wisdoms (and not a small part—'wisdom' of heresy), on top of investing one's intellect in making a living, and when unusual winds blow in the street, etc., it is obvious that we must counter this by increasing understanding and comprehension through deep study of the inner dimension of Torah. As stated in the holy Zohar, it is called the Tree of Life and adds vitality to learning revealed Torah and fulfilling its mitzvos, etc., even extending to the physical life of a Jew—which is also holy. These matters are explained at length elsewhere: see Iggeres HaKodesh by our Alter Rebbe (the halachic authority for Torah's hidden dimension) and Shulchan Aruch (the authority for revealed Torah) chapter 26, as well as Kuntres Etz Chaim by his great-grandson and successor Admor Maharashab.

May it be G-d's will that through this learning you will soon report feeling well and increasing further, 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 deeply study Chassidus—not just recite or act superficially—so its inner light strengthens both our spiritual and physical lives amid modern challenges.