By the Grace of G-d15th of lyar, 5724Brooklyn, N. Y.

Greeting and blessing:

I received your letter of the 7th of lyar, and thank you very much for the good news about the various activities. May G-d grant that the activities should be continued in a growing measure, and with joy and gladness of heart in particular, as we spoke a number of times, when you were here. I trust that not only do you remember this, but that you are constantly endeavoring to materialize this in the daily life.

With regards to fasting, about which I told you once that it is not advisable to take upon oneself extra fasts in addition to those which are already in the calendar, this is based on the words of the Alter Rebbe.¹ One of the reasons which he mentions in this connection is that the generations have weakened, and are no longer fit to have extra fasts. Obviously, my suggestion to you, therefore, is valid even now. The would-be resolution to undertake a fast should be changed to a resolution to serve G-d with an extra measure of joy, and to endeavor to spread good influence in the environment in this direction.

As requested, I will remember those mentioned in your letter in prayer, and may G-d grant that you should have good news to report.

With blessing,

M. Schneerson

P.S. With regard to the concluding lines in your letter, in which you write that you feel badly because you do not know anything in Yiddishkeit, this attitude and feeling is, of course, quite unwarranted. Moreover, you should remember that it is one of the tactics of the Yetzer Harah to plant discouragement in one’s mind. In your case, there is no basis for it, inasmuch as G-d had helped you to study a certain period of time in the Lubavitcher Yeshiva, and there is no doubt that you succeeded in absorbing a great deal of Yiddishkeit.