Important letter from the Admo”r Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of Lubavitch to a young man who complains of problems with the “Known Issue” – as the Rebbe terms it. 25 Iyar, 1984. Brooklyn, New York. (The Rebbe, with the purity of his pen, avoids explicitly mentioning what exactly this “Known Issue” is, but his intent is failures in matters of sanctity.)
The letter before us deals with an exceedingly important matter in Judaism in general and in Chassidism in particular – the purity of one’s thoughts and actions. It is known that when the word “transgression” [“עבירה”] appears in our sources without further details, its meaning is matters concerning the sanctity and purity of the Jewish people. Many mussar works, Early and Later Authorities, attempt to find relief for the “Known Issue” upon which the very essence of the continuation of the Jewish people and its sanctity relies, and the entire spiritual stature of a Jew from his youth depends on this “Known Issue.”
In this letter, aside from the segulah value of the signed blessing by the Rebbe, the Rebbe gives precious psychological and segulah counsel to be rescued from the “Known Issue.” The psychological counsel: “Distraction.” The Rebbe explains: “This is to say, not to go to war with the inappropriate thoughts” as this is a most difficult matter, occasionally impossible. “He should occupy his mind with another matter, completely unrelated to the improper thought.” Here the Rebbe adds another two segulah recommendations. The first: “It is best to occupy it (the mind) with letters of Torah and prayer.” The second recommendation: Checking one’s tefillin.
[1] leaf paper, 14×21 cm. Official stationery, typewritten, with the Rebbe’s signature.
Fine condition: Fold marks. The name of the sender is concealed by a sticker.