Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6119 — Faith & Bitachon
Volume 16 · Letter 348
By the grace of Hashem*,
19 Adar* 5718,
Brooklyn,
Shalom* u'vracha*,
I am responding to your letter, in which you report to me several points of your life. You conclude by raising the problem of your youngest son, who has aptitude for study but lacks willpower and patience.
In such a case, one can find a solution only by placing him in a setting where one devotes oneself, with impetus and ardor, to sacred studies during the major part of the day. Consequently, it would be good, insofar as possible, that he go to continue his studies, at least for some time, in one of the European Yeshivos*, reserved for sacred studies. No doubt he will accept this, since it will be only for a limited time. In this way, you will observe the effect it has on him. You will see whether he truly has no willpower and no motivation, as you write, or whether the Yeshivah* has exercised a positive influence on him.
Should it appear that, even in this way, he does not devote himself to study with impetus and ardor, you know, nevertheless, what various texts of our holy Torah* explain. There are, indeed, several categories of Jews, including among those who observe the Torah* and the mitzvos*. Some are, above all, scholars of the Torah*, devoting themselves to its study, even though they also practice the mitzvos*. Others, on the contrary, apply themselves, above all, to fulfilling the mitzvos*, even though they also set aside daily time for study. One can be a Great of Israel, useful to oneself and to the community, while belonging to either one or the other of these categories. May Hashem* grant that you derive true satisfaction from him, that is, Jewish satisfaction in every respect.
Your son's Tefillin* should be checked, as well as the Mezuzos* of your home, so that all are kosher*, in accordance with the Halachah*. And, your wife will observe the positive custom of virtuous Jewish women, which consists of giving tzedakah* every time they light the candles, on the eve of Shabbos* and the festivals.
With my blessing to convey good news,
On behalf of the Rebbe, shlita*,
the secretary,