Igrot Kodesh · Letter 8102 — Tzedakah

By the grace of Hashem,

25 Sivan* 5716,

Brooklyn,

I greet you and bless you,

I respond to your letter of 22 Sivan*, in which you specify to me the location where you are continuing your studies during this new semester. First of all, you tell me that, until now, you have not shown a particular interest in study and you therefore request a blessing. It is, however, quite evident that one cannot discharge one's obligation solely by asking for a blessing. One must make the effort to study, in the fitting manner, not only on the day of receiving the present letter and the following day, but for a much longer period. In fact, when one adopts this behavior for a certain time, it is no longer necessary to make an effort afterward and one has more and more desire to study.

You should have spoken with the Rav about this question as about all your other concerns. You will tell him everything you wrote to me. He sees you constantly and will no doubt be able to help you in this matter. May Hashem grant you success. I hope that you read the Tehillim* according to their monthly division and that you will continue to do so. With my blessing,