A common theme in the Rebbe’s sichos and letters is the profound impact that even seemingly external factors can have on the pure and untainted neshamah of a Yid.

In the winter of 5730, a bochur came to the Rebbe for yechidus and, as was customary, wrote his questions on a piece of paper which he handed to the Rebbe. The Rebbe read his note and answered all the questions except one.

The bochur had written that his davening was plagued by machavos zaros (foreign thoughts). As the bochur turned to leave, the Rebbe looked at him sternly and said, “If a bochur sets his watch to the bells of the church on Brooklyn Avenue, it’s no wonder he has machavos zaros during davening.”

(Kfar Chabad Magazine, issue 672, p. 20)