6564 —הפיכת הרע לטוב ולימוד חסידות בעקביות

B"H, 22nd of Marcheshvan, 5719. Brooklyn.

The Chassidic Rabbi, the veteran Chassid, a G‑d-fearing man, honored and distinguished, engaged in the needs of the community, Rabbi Yitzchak, sheyichyeh

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter of Motzaei Shabbos Kodesh.

... Regarding your question on the statement of our Sages, "Whoever is greater than his fellow, his evil inclination is greater than his" (Sukkah 52a), and likewise on the well-known story printed in HaTamim regarding Avraham Avinu—that this is on account of the body—and further, from what is written in Tanya, that the evil is transformed into actual good.

It is understood that your question is not on the Tanya, but rather on the Yerushalmi Berachos at its end and the Zohar (vol. 3, 107b), especially since in the Yerushalmi it is brought specifically with regard to Avraham Avinu.

(I do not cite the Bavli, Berachos 61b, since there Rashi explains it in another way, unlike the above.)

In truth, none of the above poses a difficulty, for the statement "Whoever is greater than his fellow…" is said of him in his own right, prior to a person's avodah; and even though it was transformed to good, or he slew it through fasting, this is akin [though of course—in an exceedingly subtle measure] to what is said of baalei teshuvah, that their inclination is evil on account of their earlier nature. And in like manner is the above statement regarding Avraham Avinu.

And a further example of the same kind: the eating of the refined body of (a) Moshe Rabbeinu, (b) when he ascended on high, (c) with regard to bread from heaven, in which there is no waste—and nevertheless he did not eat, because it simply is not befitting.

Regarding what you wrote about encouraging your brother-in-law, the Rav shlita, to study Chassidus—certainly you will not suffice with mentioning it once but will continue until this matter comes into actual practice and with consistency—as per the instruction of Rabbeinu HaZaken—not only consistency in time but also consistency within one's soul, which is most important.

With blessing for good tidings in all the above,

M. Schneerson

Printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 10, p. 203, and completed according to a photocopy of the letter.

Rabbi Yitzchak (מו"ה יצחק): Dubov, Manchester. Further letters to him — above, vol. 17, letter 6279, and those noted there.

The well-known story (בהסיפור הידוע): See also above, vol. 13, letter 4723.

What is written in Tanya (שכתוב בתניא): Chapter 10.

Summary

The Rebbe clarifies that spiritual challenges are present before one’s inner work and transformation. He urges ongoing encouragement and consistent study of Chassidus—both regularly and with deep personal commitment—for true spiritual growth.