“I can’t find the correct way,” Reb Zalman Gopin wrote in his note to the Rebbe. “Should I behave with kivutz (constriction) or simcha (joy)?”

After reading the note, in a 26 Av 5726 yechidus, the Rebbe responded. “A person is dynamic. One cannot be in one mode constantly.

“This is the difference between the worlds of Tohu and Tikkun. In Tohu, it was one midda, either chessed or gevurah.” And the Rebbe intoned with his hands, raising his right hand as he said chessed, and lowering his left hand as he said gevurah.

“But in the world of Tikkun, both modes coexist.

“But they should be utilized in Avodah. When one is in a mode of restraint, which the Alter Rebbe calls mara shechora (seriousness), it should be employed for hasmada in Torah learning and deepening one’s davening.

“And when one is in a mood of simcha, that should be used for breadth in Torah and davening. Not depth, but breadth. And from breadth, Ahavas Yisroel will also come…”

(Techayeinu issue 9)