By the Grace of G-d 10th Menachem Av, 5714 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sholom uBrocho:

I have received your letter in which you described your habits which are not according to the Torah, as also your conduct etc.

It is surely unnecessary to emphasize that all this depends on yourself, and that you must make a determined effort to overcome your bad habits. At the same time you must never be discouraged if you find the going hard, and sometimes without success, for discouragement is one of the very tricks of the Yetzer-hora in order to weaken the fighting spirit of the Yetzer-toiv. It is one of the favorite and most effective weapons of the Yetzer-hora especially among young people. So never become discouraged and never think the battle lost, but keep on fighting, be on guard to overcome a bad habit as soon as it seems to tempt you.

For a 'tikun' I suggest you learn by heart a few kapitlech Tillim, a few Mishnayos, and after learning it well, from the Tanya learn also by heart the following: from Kapital 41 until page 112, second line – 'lifnei hamelech,' from time to time reflecting on the contents of it, and reciting it when you are not otherwise engaged in learning. This will help you in your battle to improve yourself, and G-d will help you.

With blessing,

By N. Mindel

Sec'y