A chassid once spoke privately with the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek, bemoaning the fact that he had no desire to learn. The Rebbe said in response, "So what should I do, given that I do have a desire to learn?"[38]

One must learn Torah through toil. Thus when one begs for a desire to learn, he is giving away a great opportunity: the merit of not having a desire. So when he learns out of kabbalas ol (submission to the yoke of Heaven) and through toil, he will reach great delight. Instead he gives away his delight and all that it entails and asks for a desire!

Likkutei Sichos, vol. 15, p. 503

   

Notes:

38. (Back to text) Having been born with an innate desire to learn, the Tzemach Tzedek was not able to earn the higher level of merit achieved by learning for its own sake (as opposed to learning out of desire).