Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7928 — Prayer

By the grace of Hashem,

1st day of Rosh Chodesh* Kislev* 5713,

Brooklyn,

To the distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem,

Rav Shmuel Zanvil (note 1: Rav S. Z. Nussbaum),

I greet you and bless you,

I duly received your letter of Monday of Parshas* Chayei Sarah (note 2: The 22nd of Mar Cheshvan*), in which you ask me for a blessing, for you suffer from insomnia and you have nocturnal terrors. You ask me what I think about it. In my view, you must forget all of this. You will have your Tefillin* checked as soon as possible, as well as your Tzitzis* and the Mezuzos* of your home, to make sure that everything is in conformity with Halachah*. Likewise, you will adopt, without making a vow of it, the practice that was established by my father-in-law, the Rebbe, whose merit protects us. This consists of reading Tehillim*, every morning, after the prayer, according to the monthly division. Every weekday, before the morning prayer, you will give a franc to Tzedakah*. And, you will make sure that no day passes without your having studied at least a few verses of the Chumash* of the Sidrah* of the week. You will also have a study of the Oral Law, according to what pleases you. And, I hope that you will take counsel from the Chassidim* of Lubavitch*, who will give you good advice in this matter.

You must also know by heart some passages of the Torah*, some Psalms, and passages of the Mishnah*. When you feel anxiety or a thought that is not joyous coming, you will concentrate on the Psalm or on the Mishnah* that you have learned. In this way, it is certain that you will feel well. You will announce good news to me on this matter,

For the Rebbe Shlita*,

the secretary,