20 Sivan 5716

After having heard a lot about you, your general accomplishments and especially your work in the field of education, I was pleased to have received your letter, in which you recount what has been going on in your life and how you are managing.

I was shocked, however, and a little upset by the content of the letter regarding your dampened spirit and melancholy, and worse. I am also writing that I was shocked because Divine Providence has placed you as a beacon of light, i.e., you were given the opportunity to work for the proper education of Jewish children. This is clear proof that you were given the abilities to fulfill this very important role because “Hashem does not overburden His Creations.”

It solely depends on your will. If only you will truly want and firmly decide, you will prevail over the challenges, obstacles, and also the uncertainties.

If you say that the despondency is based on, until now, you were not able to improve the education as was necessary, then in addition to what Tanya and other sources explain—sadness is always unacceptable and harmful. The Rebbes have taught, “One good deed is better than one thousand sighs.” Especially since naturally when a person sighs, he feels a bit of satisfaction that he is upset about something, and it does not add to his motivation to work to fill what was lacking.

Please understand that in everything mentioned above, I did not intend to rebuke you. Rather, I wish to express my clear and definite opinion; the fact that your work is in the field of education is a very great merit, for not every person merits to be involved in education, especially in our generation.

In all matters of Torah and Mitzvos, Hashem grants us the abilities and energy to do it, and we are commanded as well, “You shall choose Life!” But at the end of the day, it is up to the person to be the one to choose from his good will and free choice.

(Excerpt)

(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XIII)