As a bochur, Reb Zalman Gopin, today the Kfar Chabad mashpia, was in a dilemma about regulating his mood. The Rebbe showed him how he could utilize whatever mood he was in to serve Hashem.
Reb Zalman Gopin, mashpia at the Kfar Chabad yeshiva, spent the year 5726 (1965-6) studying in 770.
When he entered the Rebbe’s room for a yechidus on 26 Av, he wrote in his note that he was unsure of the path to choose for himself, simcha or kivutz (joyfulness or withdrawal), and asked the Rebbe for guidance.
“It is impossible for a person to constantly be in the same mode,” the Rebbe responded. “Indeed, in the spiritual world of Tohu, there was only one attribute, chessed or gevura. [The Rebbe lifted his hand while saying chessed and lowered it while saying gevura.] However, in the world of Tikkun, both modes exist.”
The Rebbe then went on to identify specific approaches on how to utilize each mode:
“When you are in a somber mood, what the Alter Rebbe terms mara shechora, it should be channeled towards learning and davening in depth.
“However, when you are in a mood of joy, you should channel it in a direction of breadth. Not depth, rather breadth in Torah and tefila.”
(Techayeinu Issue 9, Page 14)
From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash
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