| "And they gathered all the food of the good years, etc." (Genesis 41:35).
Reb Noson teaches that these words contain one of the most profound pieces of advice on how to fight the darkness that pulls us into despair and depression.
Storing grain during the seven years of plenty for the seven years of famine serves as a strategy for our existential battle with the evil inclination. For us, the practical advice is this: when we have "years of plenty"—moments of closeness to HaShem, such as Rosh Hashanah in Uman, soulful hitbodedut or other uplifting spiritual experiences—we should channel that pleasant feeling into generating more prayers and good deeds for others.
For instance, during hitbodedut, ask HaShem: "Please, my dear Father in Heaven, bring redemption to the Jewish people, send healing to the sick, etc." When you're in Uman and feel close to HaShem, add a short prayer for others. Remember those Jews who still need to draw closer to God.
By doing this, even when the "seven years of famine" come—times of darkness and hopelessness—the pleasantness from those moments will sustain us and prevent us from falling into utter despair. With certainty, we will overcome the challenges and merit our spiritual rectification.
In essence, when we feel divine closeness, we should remember others. Then, when we face our own challenges, we will draw on that light to overcome the darkness and merit true rectification, Amen VeAmen.
Shabbat Shalom,
Chaim Kramer | 
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