6307 —נצחיות הנפש והגבלת אבלות יתירה

B"H, 10 Sivan, 5718. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

We acknowledge receipt of your letter from 5/21, and at an auspicious time, all those you wrote about will be mentioned at the holy resting place of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal, for whatever they need according to the content of your letter.

Surely you know that one of the main principles of Jewish faith is the matter of the soul's survival, and that the soul is eternal. Therefore, it is forbidden to increase mourning, G-d forbid, beyond what is written in Shulchan Aruch. It is obvious that if this interferes with learning in general or with diligent and consistent study, it clearly comes from the yetzer hara who tries to prevent every person from serving his Creator as instructed by our holy Torah. Furthermore, if one—G-d forbid—listens to the enticements of the yetzer hara, it also causes the opposite of nachas ruach (satisfaction) to the soul of the departed, since the yetzer hara uses her situation to weaken a person in Torah study. This is easily understood.

One should increase diligence and consistency in Torah study; this brings true satisfaction to the soul and also serves as a conduit and vessel for receiving Hashem's blessings for each member of the family according to their status and situation.

It is proper that every day after morning prayers one should say that month's daily portion of Tehillim—as Tehillim is divided by days of the month.

Blessings for good news,
In the name of my revered teacher shlita,
Secretary

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that true comfort for a departed soul comes through increased Torah study and daily Tehillim rather than excessive mourning. Observing these practices brings blessings to one's family and aligns with authentic Jewish faith in the eternity of the soul.