Igrot Kodesh · Letter 1811 — Health

By the grace of Hashem,

1 Elul 5712,

Brooklyn,

To the Rav, distinguished chassid who fears Hashem,

Rav Shalom[1],

Greetings and blessings,

I duly received your request for a brachah* for Mrs. ..., whose state of health is not satisfactory and who has been hospitalized for several months already.

When I find myself at the tziyun* of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, I will mention her name, so that he may invoke, on her account, the immense mercy of Hashem, so that she have a prompt healing.

Nevertheless, you must explain to her that, in order to elicit and integrate the brachos* of Hashem, she must forge receptacles accordingly[2], and that these have been defined by Hashem Himself. They are actions bringing life, health and prosperity to Yidden, men or women, old or young. They are the mitzvos, which Hashem transmitted to us at Har Sinai. We must accomplish them in every era and in every place.

Moreover, a woman, from various points of view, can surpass a man. It is therefore particularly important for her to forge these receptacles, these mitzvos, if she does not yet possess them, and to accomplish even better and even faster those that she already practices.

Thus, if there is a mitzvah which she has only imperfectly observed until this day, she will from now on put it into practice in the most scrupulous manner. As for that which she has already adopted, she will, in observing it, have even more enthusiasm and joy. It is thus that she will obtain, as soon as possible, the brachos* of Hashem, for herself and for all her family.

I hope that you will explain to her all this as soon as possible. May Hashem permit you to announce to me as quickly as possible the improvement of her state of health. You will tell me that she has committed herself to observe what has just been said, the mitzvos and, in a general manner, the traditional values of a Jewish woman.

With my blessing,

[1] Rav C. Hecht.
[2] See, for example, letter no. 1808.