6625 —פחד מברקים: לימוד משניות ותניא בעל פה לשמירה, והתמדה בסדרי הישיבה

B"H, 5th of Teves, 5719
Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In reply to your letter, in which you write that at times you are afraid of lightning^[1] and the like:

You should learn by heart several chapters of Mishnayos, and at least one chapter of Tanya, and from time to time review them as you walk in the street and the like^[2]. Since the words of our Torah, given by G‑d^[3], the Creator of the world, will be engraved in your mind, this will^[4] increase G‑d's blessings and His protection in all your affairs^[5].

Regarding what you wrote, that you have difficulties in studying Tanya and the like: ask your Rosh Mesivta^[6] and your mashpia in Chassidus to explain to you the matters you find difficult.

The main thing is that you study with diligence and assiduousness, in keeping with the schedule of the yeshivah and the instructions of your teachers, and then you will succeed.

You surely know of the takanah to recite the monthly portion of Tehillim every day after the morning prayer^[7]; keep to it.

With blessing for good tidings^[8] in all the above,

In the name of the Rebbe shlita^[9],

Secretary

Notes

1. Lightning (ברק): Lightning in a storm. וכיו"ב = וכיוצא בזה, "and the like".

2. As you walk in the street and the like (בהלכו ברחוב וכיו"ב): This advice rests on the directives of the Previous Rebbe: Hayom Yom, 4 Nisan: "He should have some words of Torah, such as Chumash, Mishnayos, Tanya, that he knows by heart, so that he can review them as he walks in the street, in the market and the like"; Hayom Yom, 11 Teves: "Everyone ... must have learned something by heart: Chumash, Tehillim, Mishnayos, Tanya"; and on the protection this brings, Hayom Yom, 9 Sivan: "The letters of the Torah are a general protection and a personal protection."

3. G‑d (השי"ת): השי"ת = השם יתברך.

4. This will (עי"ז): עי"ז = על ידי זה, "through this".

5. His protection in all your affairs (ושמירתו בכל עניניו): Fear of lightning is fear of the forces of nature; one in whose mind are engraved the words of Torah given by the Creator and Ruler of the world is bound to the Master of nature and protected by Him.

6. Your Rosh Mesivta (הר"מ): הר"מ = הראש מתיבתא, "the Rosh Mesivta".

7. The monthly portion of Tehillim every day after the morning prayer (השיעור תהלים חדשי בכל יום אחר תפלת השחר): The takanah of the Previous Rebbe to recite every day, after the morning prayer, the portion of Tehillim as divided for the days of the month, so that the whole book is completed each month. See Hayom Yom, 1 Shevat: "The recitation of Tehillim (every day after the prayer) ... the great importance of reciting Tehillim with the congregation and its inner intent, which affects the entire Jewish people, materially, in children, life and sustenance, and spiritually." For the daily portion, see Tehillim for the 5th day of the month, the day this letter was written.

8. Good tidings (בשו"ט): בשו"ט = בשורות טובות.

9. In the name of the Rebbe shlita (בשם כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א): כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א = כבוד קדושת אדוננו מורנו ורבנו שיחיה לאורך ימים טובים אמן. The letter was written by the secretary in the Rebbe's name.

Summary

To a yeshivah student afraid of lightning, the Rebbe's secretary advises learning chapters of Mishnayos and a chapter of Tanya by heart and reviewing them in the street: words of Torah engraved in the mind bring G‑d's blessing and protection. Difficulties in Tanya should be taken to his teachers, his study should follow the yeshivah's schedule, and he should keep the daily portion of Tehillim.