Igrot Kodesh · Letter 2174 — Health

By the grace of Hashem,

23 Tammuz 5713,

Brooklyn,

Greetings and blessings,

Our Sages teach, in tractate Bechoros* 45a, that women possess two hundred and fifty-two limbs[1].

This is the reason why one is accustomed to write[2]: "for all her limbs[3] and for her three hundred and sixty-five sinews[4]."

Nevertheless, for one who does not pay attention to this, one will do likewise, and the essential is that peace be maintained[5].

Notes

[1] Whereas men have two hundred and forty-eight.

[2] When one asks, for example, for a brachah for their healing.

[3] Without specifying their number, as one does for a man.

[4] That is, the same number as those of a man.

[5] It is not fitting to introduce controversy solely to impose this formula.

ב'קעד

ב"ה, כ"ג תמוז, תשי"ג
ברוקלין.

שלום וברכה!

... בטח ידוע לו שבנוגע לנשים הרי ע"פ מרז"ל (בכורות מה, א) שנר"ב אברים להן, ולכן נוהגים לכתוב, לכל אברי' ושס"ה גידי', ואמאן דל קפיד - לא קפדינן. והכל שלום.