8549 —התגברות על נסיונות החיים, שמחה, אומץ ולימוד תורה יומי

B"H, 25 Marcheshvan, 5723. Brooklyn.

The Avrech Uri Tzvi, may he live.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 22nd of Cheshvan.

At an auspicious time you will be mentioned at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory, for all the matters you wrote about.

To your question: What is the way to ease the trials and confusions on the path of life for Bnei Yisrael in our world—living according to our Torah of life and fulfilling its mitzvos about which it is said "v'chai bahem" (and you shall live by them)?

It is well known what our master the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch, says on this: From this itself one should be inspired with added courage to live life according to the guidance of the living G‑d—without looking at difficulty or suffering. This comes through contemplating that surely the Holy One does not come with unreasonable demands upon His creations and only asks according to their ability. If a trial increases, then certainly beforehand there was an increase in the inner strengths of the one facing it. Just as in victory in material matters: if one acts sluggishly or doubts his own strength and loses spirit, he may be defeated even if he is stronger than his opponent. Therefore it is emphasized everywhere about the necessity to serve G‑d with joy and gladness of heart and strong confidence in the victory of good and holiness. Not always is it time for a cold and dry calculation—especially not one based on one's animal soul.

Knowing your father from earlier correspondence—and now we have also met face-to-face—I have strong hope that these few lines will suffice. As Scripture says: "Give to a wise man and he will become wiser still."

I wish to add another point: As is emphasized everywhere regarding an army—that there must be added holiness because they need what is written: "Hashem Elokecha walks in your camp to save you... therefore your camp shall be holy" (Devarim 23:15). On this depends the security of the whole group or platoon.

Accordingly, certainly even now you have a daily shiur (Torah study session) in our holy Torah—and an addition on Shabbat which is sanctified to Hashem.

Certainly you will inform me good news regarding all this. May it be G‑d's will that it be very soon.

Blessings for good news.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that overcoming life's challenges requires joy, confidence in one's inner strength granted by G‑d, and steadfastness in Torah study. A holy environment strengthens both individual resolve and communal security.