Weekly Letter: On The Matter of Sins and Teshuvah

Another letter of the Rebbe on the theme of teshuvah, during this month of Elul, gives some practical advice in dealing with states of mind and problems and on the matter of sins and teshuvah.

By the Grace of G-d

20th of Tammuz, 5725

Brooklyn, N.Y. 

Mr.

Brookline, Mass.

Greeting and Blessing:

After not hearing from you for a very long time, I received your letter which reached me with some delay.

With regard to the thought which you expressed in your letter, I believe I have already written to you before, that there are many problems and states of mind which are best dealt with by dismissing them from the mind completely, at any rate for a period of time. It is then possible to return to those problems with a fresh mind and in a more objective state, so as to evaluate the problems in their true perspective and reality and it is then easier to find the proper solution. In the vast majority of such cases the individual himself can decide how long this period of dismissal from attention should be, judging by the degree of objectivity which he can attain as time goes on. 

Needless to say, also, that it is not an easy thing to dismiss a problem from the mind, especially a matter that involves one’s own self. This would be almost impossible unless one can engage one’s thought and attention in a completely unrelated subject. For, man’s thinking process is constantly in a state of flux and has a tendency, consciously or subconsciously, to revert to the subject matter which one wishes to dismiss from the mind. Therefore, when resolving to dismiss the matter form one’s mind, it is necessary immediately to find some other subject, unrelated to the first, in which to engage one’s attention.

Another point which is also almost universally true is that it is not easy for the person involved to find the proper subject in which to engage one’s mind. But here it is possible to receive help from friends who would know you and your psychological makeup. Undoubtedly you have such friends within reach. 

With reference to sins and the like, generally there is the teaching of our Sages that “Nothing stands in the way of repentance, for the past and commitment for the future.” Here too the principle enunciated above may be applied, namely, that although it is necessary to end the transgression immediately, whether it is a sin of commission or omission, it is also often necessary to end immediately  and self recrimination, or brooding, in regard to the sins of the past. 

One of the obvious reasons for this is that brooding over past failures is bound to be depressing and discouraging and would undermine one’s confidence in the future, even one’s confidence in efficacy of teshuva.  Therefore it is advisable to dismiss such thoughts for the time being and leave them for more propitious times.

May G-d grant that you should have good news to report in regard to al above.

Finally, I want to make one further observation, which is one of the things which although they go without saying, are better said. I want to say that there is no need for you to be embarrassed in expressing your attitude towards me, whether you have any trust or lack of trust, and so forth. Such feelings are best to b expressed openly, rather than concealed, when there is a danger of developing a distorted relationship altogether.

I trust that you know the history and significance of the 12th-13th of Tammuz which we have just observed and that the inspiration of these days will be with you throughout the years. The essential message is of course that when a Jew does not permit himself to be discouraged by any obstacles, but resolves to g o along the way of the Torah, he can even single-handedly overcome all difficulties and accomplish extraordinary and wonderful things. And while none of us can compare to my father-in-law of saintly memory, we must also remember that the obstacles and difficulties we may be facing are almost quite insignificant by comparison with those which he faced. Furthermore, he has already trodden out the path of mesiras nefesh for us, which makes it easier for all who wish to follow in his footsteps, all the more so since his zechus stands everyone in good stead.

                                          With blessings,