Igrot Kodesh · Letter 4172 — Health

B"H

19 Adar 5716

Brooklyn

I bless you and greet you,

I am responding to your letter from the end of the month of Teves, whose delivery took longer than usual. You share with me details of your life, your current state of health, and that of your wife.

In accordance with your request, both your names will be mentioned at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, whose merit protects us, so that you may have better health, both physical and spiritual, for among Jews, these two dimensions go together. The difference is only the following: physical health is granted by Hashem*, whereas spiritual health depends on a person's will and action, since Hashem* has willed it to be so.

Hashem* says: "See, I have placed before you life and good… and you shall choose life." This means that one must invest, to the fullest extent possible, in Torah* and mitzvos*, and influence one's children to do the same. Thereupon, Hashem* grants blessing and success, so that one can fulfill one's obligations. For nothing can withstand the will. Obviously, Hashem* fully rewards those who act in this manner.

Regarding your state of health, it seems that the problem is primarily nervous in nature. You must therefore put all of that out of your mind and strengthen yourself in the conviction that the Creator of the world, Who directs it, "heals all flesh and acts wondrously." In this way, the episodes to which you refer will become less frequent.

You surely know the three daily studies instituted by my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, whose merit protects us, which apply to everyone: reciting Tehillim* every day after the morning prayer, according to the monthly division; studying each day a Parshah* of the Chumash* with Rashi's* commentary — on Sunday from the beginning of the Parshah* to Sheini, on Monday from Sheini to Shlishi, and so on; and studying a passage of Tanya*, according to its monthly division. You should observe these studies, at least from now on.

May Hashem* grant you success,

With my blessing for a kosher* and joyous Pesach*,

For the Rebbe Shlita*,

the secretary,