Igrot Kodesh · Letter 3214 — Health

B"H

22 Teves* 5715,

Brooklyn,

Greetings and blessings,

I am responding to your letter of Wednesday of Parshas* Shemos*. You consider that you will strengthen the health of your son by sending him to a Cheder* whose level of fear of Heaven* is lower, but which enjoys better climatic conditions. Then, subsequently, you would bring him back to the Cheder* he currently attends.

All of this does not satisfy me. Indeed, the interruption you are about to impose on him now is a certainty. But will you be able to bring him back afterward, and have him make up what he will have missed? This is not certain, and one may even have serious doubt on this subject.

You know what the sacred books say, in general, and those of Chassidus* in particular, regarding the verse, "The fear of Hashem* is life." Indeed, it is the fear of Hashem that brings health. Consequently, even if the climate is better in that place, the stronger fear of Hashem of the Cheder* he currently attends can also strengthen the health of your son.

Let him therefore study Torah* in this Cheder*, in good health and joyfully, with fear of Hashem. I hope that when you read this part of my letter to your wife, she will also signify her full agreement, knowing that health, material abundance, and success depend solely on Hashem, Who gives the Torah*.

You ask me to which cause you should give Tzedakah*. I was pleased to learn, from your letter, that you help your brother who is in the Holy Land*. You shall therefore give one half of your Tzedakah* to the institutions of my father-in-law, the Rebbe*, whose merit protects us. You may do so through my secretariat, which will take charge of its distribution. And you will distribute the second half yourselves, together with your wife. The assistance to your brother may be included in this latter portion.

With my blessing for success in earning your livelihood and for conceiving, together with your wife, a Chassidic* satisfaction from all your children,