Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4049 — Tzedakah

B"H

24 Teves* 5716

Brooklyn

Blessings and greetings (this letter is addressed to a woman),

I am responding to your letter of the first day of Rosh Chodesh* Teves*. Obviously, in writing to you, I did not intend to frighten you, nor to signify that you should stop writing to me (presumably with complaints). Nor did I intend to show you that the world is in perfect and irreproachable order (thus giving no cause for complaint). Until the coming of Moshiach*, perfection will not be found in this world of matter, as various texts in our sacred books establish.

The message of my letter was solely the following: when defects exist, one must not hide them. Likewise, one must not diminish the praise and thanksgiving that are due to Hashem* for all the good He grants in the greatest proportion. Moreover, the way to repair defects is not through discouragement and resignation, nor even through despondency. Not only is this ineffective, but the repair itself will become all the more difficult.

Conversely, when one is joyful and satisfied, the service of Hashem* in general and the repair of defects in particular are much more fruitful. This can be verified empirically. You know the saying of my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, whose merit protects us, that a soldier*, when he goes to the front, must sing a joyful march (see letter no. 2278). In this way, he increases his chances of being victorious in battle.

Now, if this is so for a physical battle, how much more is it the case for everything one wishes to accomplish in accordance with the Will of the Creator. For, ultimately, this is the true victory, the assurance of good, as various Chassidic texts clearly explain.

I hope that you will accept the teaching of my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, whose merit protects us, cited above. You will therefore act, and do so joyfully, in good spirits. May Hashem* grant that everyone have reason to rejoice.

With blessing for good tidings and success in all of the above,