Igrot Kodesh · Letter 1279 — Health

B'ezras Hashem,

7 Kislev 5712,

Brooklyn,

Greetings and blessings,

When I am at the tziyun* of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, I will read your request for a brachah*. I hope that my father-in-law will arouse Heavenly compassion so that your state of health may improve and continue thereafter to do so.

You doubtless know that vessels are needed in order to receive the blessing of Hashem. I therefore propose that you put on tefillin* scrupulously every day, except on Shabbos* and Yom Tov*. The shel yad* tefillin, which is placed near the heart, causes it to be in good health, and the shel rosh* tefillin, placed near the brain that directs the entire body through the nervous system, ensures that the whole organism be in good health.

Likewise, you will recite each day a few chapters of Tehillim* and you will give a certain amount to tzedakah*, without making it a vow. You will do this until the festival of Pesach. Obviously, it is good to continue giving tzedakah* after that. Nevertheless, you will endeavor to observe all of this, at least until Pesach.

I hope to receive from you the good news of an improvement in your state of health, and of the satisfaction of the doctors with the evolution of your condition.

With my brachah* for a speedy recovery,