Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6469 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem*,

1 Elul* 5718,

Brooklyn,

Greetings and blessings,

After a long interruption, I have received your letter of 27 Menachem*, announcing good news, since you are striving to keep the studies of the Chumash*, the Tehilim*, and the Tanya*. In addition, you mention still other elements (note 1: Other positive accomplishments). Above all, you study the Torah* with ardor and constancy and it is in this regard that it is said: "Great is the study that leads to action." One can thus strengthen oneself in all that concerns the Mitzvos*, in particular regarding what you write to me about the beard. Indeed, the Tzemach Tzedek*, basing himself on the holy Zohar*, or commenting on the Tehilim*, regarding the verse: "He is merciful," specifies that by keeping one's beard, one reveals the Thirteen Attributes of Divine Mercy, eliciting the "great Mercy," as explained in the supplements of the Yohel Or* commentary on the Tehilim*.

You ask me how to rectify the known sin (note 2: Seminal emission without purpose). The following teaching is given on this matter: one must strive to think about it as little as possible, not even ask oneself how to repair. However, the thought of man functions constantly. One must therefore invest it in what one studies or in what one does. Likewise, one should divide the Tzedakah* that one gives into many small amounts, giving them at propitious moments — for example, during weekdays, before the morning prayer and before Minchah*. More generally, one must multiply the words of Torah* and of prayer. Likewise, you will exercise influence in the domain of education based on sacred values, according to your possibilities, without calling into question the study time of the Yeshivah* or your state of health. May Hashem* grant that you announce to me, very soon, good news of all that has just been said. With my blessing to be inscribed and sealed for a good year,