By the Grace of God
16 Adar, 5712
Brooklyn, NY.
Shalom and Brajá:
.I received your letter of the 8th of Shevat, but this is the first opportunity I've had to reply. If there had been any good news in the meantime, I have no doubt you would have written to me.
He seems to be upset because he feels he has not reached the proper level of Torah and mitzvot and cannot see the tajles (goal), etc., and that discourages him.
Leaving aside the details of your complaint, I would like to make a few observations:
1. The feeling of dissatisfaction with oneself is a good sign, as it indicates vitality and an urgency to rise and improve oneself, which is achieved by a twofold method: abandoning the current state, and moving towards a higher level (see Sijá of my father-in-law of holy memory, Pesach 5694).
2. If the urgency to progress leads to discouragement and inertia, then it is the work of the Yetzer Hara (the evil inclination), which uses all means to prevent the Jew from carrying out his good intentions related to the Torah and the mitzvot.
The treacherous and deceptive voice of the Yetzer Hara must be suppressed and ignored. Furthermore, as the Tanya states (Chapter 25), even a single act creates an eternal bond and communion with God (ibid., in detail). Therefore, the feeling of discouragement is not only inappropriate but also an obstacle to serving God, as explained in detail in the preceding and following chapters of the Tanya.
3. Regarding the understanding, or lack thereof, of the "tajles," the important thing required of a Jew is within the words of the Torah: "Since the matter is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart (and the tajles is) to do it." Understanding is generally the second step. The first step is the practice of the mitzvot. (See attached copy of my message to the study group.).
My wish for you, as you conclude in your letter, is that the next one you send will be more encouraging.
(Signature)