6600 —התגברות על מחשבות מבלבלות והשגת שמחה על ידי התמקדות בתורה

B"H, 13th of Kislev, 5719
Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In reply to your letter of the 8th of Kislev with its enclosure, in which you write about your state of mind and state of health, that confusing thoughts come upon you, etc.

The advice given in such a case is known: diverting the mind^[1]. It is understood that diverting the mind does not mean fighting against these thoughts, for the very fighting over a matter is^[2] the opposite of diverting the mind from it; rather^[3], it means paying no attention at all to the thoughts. And since the power of thought is always roaming, diverting the mind from any thought is done by thinking about another subject not of that kind at all — and how good if it is a matter of Torah, for then is fulfilled in this that a little light dispels much darkness^[4], and all the more so^[5] much light.

According to what is explained in several places^[6] (Likkutei Torah of the Alter Rebbe, Vayikra (30d, 52d), and elsewhere), that things engraved in the faculty of memory are^[7] constantly present in a person, and not only that, but they influence the person, though in an encompassing way^[8] — it is proper that you know by heart^[9] some chapters of Mishnayos and at any rate^[10] one chapter of Tanya, and from time to time review them in speech or in thought. And first of all, for all the above: contemplation of individual Providence according to the teaching of the Baal Shem Tov^[11], that it extends over each and every one^[12], down to the finest details of his life; and the Providence is from G‑d^[13], Who is the essence of good, and it is the nature of the good to do good. This contemplation will certainly result in true joy and the removal of sadness, as it is said, "G‑d is with me, I shall not fear"^[14]. These matters are explained also in the Tanya in several places, as marked in the subject index of the Tanya in the Kehot^[15] edition.

On the occasion of the bright day of Yud-Tes Kislev, which is fast approaching, I will close my letter with blessing for good tidings^[16] in all the above, in good that is visible and revealed; especially since Divine Providence has placed you in a bright corner^[17], to occupy yourself with true good — good to Heaven, good to people, and the good that bears fruit (Kiddushin 40a)^[18] — and in the measure of the Holy One, blessed be He, it is many times as much^[19], to bestow good on you too in abundance.

With respect and with blessing for good tidings.

Notes

1. Diverting the mind (היסח הדעת): After Mishlei 12:25: "Worry in a man's heart — let him put it aside (yashchenah), and a good word will gladden it"; Rashi: "let him put it out of his mind... let him occupy himself with Torah, and it will gladden the worry in his heart and save him from it"; and so in Yoma 75a: "One said: let him put it out of his mind." That is: the advice for worrying thoughts that come from one's state of health and spirits is to divert the mind from them and not occupy oneself with them; and, as the letter explains, this diversion is done by thinking about a matter of Torah, which brings joy and removes sadness.

2. Is (ה"ז): הרי זה.

3. Rather (כ"א): כי אם.

4. A little light dispels much darkness (מעט אור דוחה הרבה חשך): See Tanya, chapter 12: "just as light has superiority, dominion and rule over darkness, for a little physical light dispels much of the darkness, which is driven away by itself"; after Koheles 2:13: "as light excels darkness". That is: there is no need to fight the darkness, only to add light, and the darkness is driven away of itself.

5. All the more so (ועאכו"כ): ועל אחת כמה וכמה.

6. In several places (בכ"מ): בכמה מקומות.

7. Are (ה"ה): הרי הם.

8. In an encompassing way (בדרך מקיף): A general influence that "encompasses" the person, not an inner one (through actual understanding and contemplation). That is: even when he is not considering the words at the time, the very fact that they are engraved in his memory affects him.

9. By heart (בע"פ): בעל פה.

10. At any rate (עכ"פ): על כל פנים.

11. The teaching of the Baal Shem Tov (תורת הבעש"ט): The view of the Baal Shem Tov that individual Providence extends not only over the human species as a whole, but over each and every detail of creation, down to the finest details of each person's life.

12. Each and every one (או"א): אחד ואחד.

13. G‑d (השי"ת): השם יתברך.

14. "G‑d is with me, I shall not fear" (ה' לי לא אירא): Tehillim 118:6: "G‑d is with me, I shall not fear; what can man do to me?"

15. Kehot (קה"ת): קרני הוד תורה.

16. Good tidings (לבשו"ט): בשורות טובות.

17. A bright corner (בקרן אורה): A lit and special place; borrowed: a position and a role in which one can bring light to others.

18. Good to Heaven, good to people, and the good that bears fruit (טוב לשמים טוב לבריות וטוב העושה פירות): Kiddushin 40a: "'Say of the righteous that he is good, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds'... but one who is good to Heaven and to people is a good righteous man"; and there, being good to people means having "fruits" enjoyed in this world.

19. Many times as much (כ"פ ככה): כמה פעמים ככה. After the saying of our Sages, Sotah 11a: "the measure of good always exceeds the measure of retribution"; Rashi there: "greater in payment". That is: as he bestows good on others, so, and in far greater measure, the Holy One, blessed be He, will bestow on him, measure for measure.

Summary

To a man troubled by confusing thoughts connected with his health and spirits, the Rebbe gives the known advice of diverting the mind: not fighting the thoughts, which only engages them, but thinking of something else entirely, best of all Torah, since a little light dispels much darkness. He should learn chapters of Mishnayos and Tanya by heart, since what is engraved in memory influences a person constantly, and above all contemplate individual Providence, which brings true joy. Since Providence has placed him where he does good for others, G‑d will repay him many times over.