Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8032 — Tzedakah

By the grace of Hashem,

20 Tishrei* 5715,

Brooklyn,

I greet you and bless you,

I respond to your letter from the eve of Yom Kippur*, from which the essential is missing, since you do not specify to me the time you devote to the study of Chassidus*. Our Sages say that: "the deed is essential and not the theory." One must therefore put into practice the directives and customs of Chassidus*. Of course, one must keep the three studies that apply to all, bearing upon the Chumash*, the Tehillim*, and the Tanya*. Each person, according to his level, must make an addition to all of this, in particular those who do not yet have to concern themselves with earning a livelihood and who are still in the tent of the Torah*.

Regarding what you write to me, you must completely cease thinking about it. When the evil inclination suggests such a thought, one must not fight against it, but rather think about our holy Torah* or study it. For a little light suffices to chase away much darkness. May Hashem grant that you finally become a Chassid* and that you begin to obey. With my blessing,

For the Rebbe Shlita*,

the secretary,