After an unsettling year, many of us approach the New Month of Elul, as well as the coming year, with a sense of trepidation. What lies in store? And how can we strengthen our spiritual commitment? The Avner Institute presents the Rebbe’s two comforting letters, one to a newly observant but insecure woman, the other to a gentleman who, although careful in certain mitzvoth, is reminded that action, physical performance of a deed, lies in the heart of return and repentance.
In loving memory of Hadassah Lebovic A”h
“No room for anxiety”
By the Grace of G-d
Rosh Chodesh Shevat 5744
Brooklyn, NY
Worcester, MA 01602
Blessing and Greeting:
I received your letter of Jan. 4th, with enclosure. In it you write that you really do not understand your place in the world, etc.
At the same time, you begin with the good news that you and your husband have been blessed with good children, and that for many years you have been conducting your everyday life in the way of Torah and mitzvoth.
The above already contains the answer to your question. Let me explain briefly.
Proper Guidance
It is self-understood that, since Hashem is the Creator and Master of the world, He undoubtedly provided every human being, and especially every Jew, both with the directive and guidance as to how to conduct one’s life, as well as with the necessary capacity to carry it out.
It also follows that the directives which Hashem has given are clear, for otherwise there would be no point in giving them. This is why our Torah is called Toras Chaim and Torah-Or, because it teaches us how to live, and done so in a way that is clear as light.
With the above in mind, you can well understand that, having been blessed with the greatest gift, the gift of children, to bring them up as “children of Hashem,” you have been provided with the necessary capacities to carry out this great privilege and pleasure in the fullest measure, and with joy and gladness of heart.
In plain words, answering your question. All you have to do is to conduct your everyday life in accordance with the Shulchan Aruch [Code of Jewish Law], remembering that one of the basic mitzvoth is to have complete bitachon [trust] in Hashem, Whose benevolent Providence extends to each and every one individually. With complete trust in Hashem, there is no room for anxiety, as our King David expressed it in Tehillim, “Hashem is my shepherd. I shall not be short of anything,” and much more in this vein.
Feeling of Achievement
However, in His infinite kindness, Hashem desired to give a person the feeling of achieving something. Therefore, Hashem created the yetzer hara [evil inclination] to attempt to confuse a person an distract him from the way of the Torah, so that every individual has to make a special effort to overcome such distractions. But the Torah already informed us in advance that there is such a thing as a yetzer hara, and that Hashem may, and does, put a person to the test, but and moreover, provides the strength to overcome the distractions and difficulties one may encounter. At the same time, Hashem requests and promises, “Serve Hashem with joy.”
In the final analysis, therefore, it is mainly a matter of one’s own will and determination, which includes also taking care of one’s physical health and being in a state of confidence and joy, as the Rambam rules that taking care of one’s health is one of the important mitzvoth, because good health and peace of mind are necessary in order to serve Hashem with joy.
Taking care of one’s health requires not to rely on one’s own judgment, but seeing a medical specialist when necessary, and following his instructions, which is also one of the mitzvoth of the Torah. (In this connection, I would suggest special care in the observance of kashruth of foods and beverages.)
In the above, you will find an answer to some of your other questions too. For example, you might well tell the doctor what you think as to what kind of treatment you should get, but the final word—in accordance with the Torah—is the doctor’s, and you should follow the instructions, even if you do not personally agree with them.
I trust the above will answer your letter. But if there is anything left which you would like to clarify further, I suggest that you should talk with an Orthodox Rav in your city personally, especially as such matters are treated confidentially and can be discussed quite frankly.
Receipt is enclosed for your tzedakah, and may the zechus [merit] of it stand you and yours in good stead.
With blessing,
[signature]
P.S. With regard to your mentioning the matter of “punishment,” etc.—considering that in the interim many days of Yom Kippur have passed, on which, according to the Torah, sins are forgiven and no traces are left—there is no reason to have any anxiety.
“There must be the deed”
B”H
[no date]
Greeting and Blessing:
This is in acknowledgment of your letter of the 22nd of August.
First of all, I want to wish you a speedy recuperation.
I trust that by judging by the spirit of your letter and the discussions that you had with Mr. —, there is no need for me to explain at length what is frequently emphasized in our daily prayers, namely that the Torah and mitzvoth are “our life and the length of our days.” And although the Torah and mitzvoth must be observed in the daily life for their own sake, as the Will of G-d, they are also the channels and vessels to receive the G-dly blessings. This too has often been emphasized in the Torah and in very clear terms, such as, “If you will walk in my statutes and my commandments and do them, then I will give your rains in their due season,” etc., with all the blessings enumerated there.
Actual Fulfillment
Our Sages of blessed memory have also underscored the importance of the actual fulfillment of the mitzvoth in the daily life, stating that “the essential thing is the deed.” Since you mention that your field is chemistry, you surely know that this branch of science likewise begins with actual experience and experiments, by which various combinations of chemical elements react to each other, etc. Only then follows the theory and conclusions to explain the said reactions, a theory that in time undergoes various changes and refinements on the basis of further observation and research into chemical reactions.
In a similar [but separate] way, l’havdil, in regard to the Torah and mitzvoth. First and foremost, there must be the deed, the action, the fulfillment of the mitzvoth in the daily life, and then the effort to understand as much as possible the deeper significance of the mitzvoth. Indeed, this goes back to the principle of na’aseh (first) v’nishmah [we will do, and we will understand], on the basis of which we received the Torah and mitzvoth in the first place.
It is not my purpose to sermonize, or to indulge in lengthy discussions on such matters through correspondence. But what was written above is intended as an introductory observation, expressing my hope that this is your consistent approach in the daily observance of the Torah and mitzvoth, and, as mentioned above, this is also the way to receive G-d’s blessings in all one’s needs, materially and spiritually.
Taking Stock
The present month of Elul, which is the time of “stocktaking,” as well as preparations for the New Year, is particularly auspicious for making and implementing good resolutions. The auspiciousness of this month has been explained by the Alter Rebbe by the illustration of the “king in the field.” The month of Elul, the Alter Rebbe explains, is the time when G-d is particularly accessible and benevolent and gracious, as a king is when he goes out into the field to meet his subjects. For at such a time even the common laborer can approach the king in his work clothes, and the way he can present to the king a personal petition which the king accepts graciously and accepts his request. I trust you will take the fullest advantage of this auspicious time.
I was particularly satisfied to read in your letter that you are careful to observe the mitzvah of tefillin every day. No doubt you have had your tefillin checked to make sure they are kosher. The mitzvah of tefillin is a particularly basic one, as is also indicated by the fact that it is put on the arm, symbolizing action, facing the heart—the seat of the emotions, and the other part of the tefillin is put on the head—the seat of the intellect. Thus, the entire being of the Jew is embraced by this mitzvah, which is the key to his daily life and conduct.
I send you and yours my prayerful wishes for a kesiva vechasima tova.
With blessing,
[signature]
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