אות - מג

Depression can cause one to forget one’s name (cf. Likutey Halakhot , Shaliach Ligvot Chovo 2:15) .

The Rebbe once spoke in a light vein about the dead, who are asked their name by an angel and cannot remember it. 63 Midrash Chibut HaKever 2, cited in Reishit Chokhmah 1, 12:44; Sefer HaGilgulim , Sod Chibut HaKever (Vilna 5646), p. 73a. He said that the name is forgotten because of the dead person’s great sadness and depression.

Always be joyful, no matter what you are. Even if you feel far from God, be happy and praise Him “for not making me a heathen” (Morning liturgy, based on Menachot 43b ) .

For deeds done against God’s will, set aside a time every day to isolate yourself with a broken heart before God. Be broken-hearted, but not depressed, even during this hour. The rest of the day should then be spent in happiness.

With happiness, you can give a person life. 64 A similar discussion was spoken after Shavuot 5565/1805 ( Tzaddik #181). The discussion below (" His Wisdom ” #141) was also said around this time, and this was also when the first manuscript of Likutey Moharan was bound.

A person might go through terrible suffering and not be able to express what is in his heart. There is no one to whom he can unburden his heart, so he remains deeply pained and worried. If you come to such a person with a happy face, you can literally give him life. This is a great thing and by no means an empty gesture.

The Talmud teaches that two merrymakers were worthy of unusual merit merely because they made others happy ( Ta'anit 22a) .