Igrot Kodesh · Letter 716 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,
11 Elul 5710,

To the student of the Yeshivah, Chassid* who fears Hashem, the Rav ...,

Greetings and blessings,

I was pained to learn that you are not in good health, and it is said that, from time to time, you are even discouraged. I was very surprised at this, for you know — and several texts of Chassidus* establish it — that a Chassid must feel the truth. In fact, it is the same for all creatures. But Chassidim*, especially those who have been students of the Yeshivah, distinguish themselves in this, that they must feel it and not only conceive it intellectually.

Every creature carries within itself two opposite elements. On the one hand, considering its own existence, it must know that it is nothing; but on the other hand, having been created by the Essence of Hashem and having no other existence than His, it is also all-powerful.

If simple Jews or Chassidim have difficulties feeling that this is so, this must, on the contrary, be an absolute self-evident fact for former students of the Yeshivah, attached to their leader, my father-in-law, the Rebbe. Each one of them must know and feel that the Tzaddik* who leaves this world is found, in all the worlds at once, more than during his lifetime, and the Alter Rebbe specifies: "Including in this world of action." Indeed, he is no longer subject to the limits of space. Each one must therefore feel that the Rebbe accompanies him.

If it is necessary to meditate on one's own situation, there is a moment for doing so [1], and during the rest of the time, one must think of the Rebbe, of the fact that he always accompanies those who are bound to him, directs each of their steps.

The simple fact of thinking of this, without deep meditation, must strengthen all the forces of the soul, so that one can use them as my father-in-law, the Rebbe, desires.

And if one has other thoughts, opposing this, one must know that they are suggested by the yetzer hara*, which seeks different means to turn man away from Torah and the service of Hashem.

Consequently, you must be firm in your conviction that the blessings of the Tzaddik, my father-in-law, the Rebbe, will be realized. He guides you and leads you on the straight path. But you must not be discouraged. And you will read, each day, Psalm 71 [2].

It must, above all, be evident to you that the Rebbe is with you. You can therefore rely upon him, be sure that all will go well, for the Essence of Hashem is the perfection of good, and the Rebbe is the intermediary that connects to It, accomplishing the will of Hashem, which is that all go well, that in the end, visible and tangible good appear.

With my blessing for you to be inscribed and sealed for a good year and awaiting your good news,

Menachem Schneerson

Notes:
[1] The Rebbe mentions, elsewhere, the accounting of the day, made before going to sleep; that of the week, made on Thursday evening; that of the month, made on the eve of Rosh Chodesh; that of the year, made during the month of Elul.
[2] See Letter 644.