Friday Iyar 23, 5703 - 38th day of the Omer
Chumash: B'chukotai, Shishi with Rashi.
Tehillim: 108-112.
Tanya: The order of (p. 263)...Life of life. (p. 265).
The beginning of one's decline, G-d save us, is the lack of Aoda in davening. Everything becomes dry and cold. Even a mitzva performed by habit * becomes burdensome. Everything is rushed. One loses the sense of pleasure in Torah-study. The atmosphere itself become crass. Needless to say, one is totally incapable of influencing others.
Notes:
Compare Yeshayahu 29:13.