Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6611 — Health

By the grace of Hashem*,

21 Kislev* 5719,

Brooklyn,

Greetings and blessings,

I am responding to your letter of 18 Kislev*, in which you specify the state of health of your children. You conclude by asking me how one should consider a food whose kashrus* is not of the best quality. You specify that this is a food that could stimulate the appetite of your children. Generally speaking, the best kashrus* of foods, as various texts establish, is not only important for the observance of the Mitzvah*. Indeed, this food merges with the blood and the flesh of the body, thereby connecting it to the soul. The kashrus* and the fineness of the food therefore act upon the character and the good sentiments of the one who consumes it. Consequently, every addition to the kashrus*, the fineness, and the purity of this food must be considered as an improvement of the constitution, the fineness, and the purity of the character and the sentiments. And if this is so for adults, how much more so is it the case for children, whose character is in formation. The direction in which they are guided is therefore particularly determinative.

Based on what has just been said, you will be able to establish my opinion on the question posed. This does not concern, in this case, something that has a direct bearing on health, which Hashem* forbid, but only the strengthening of appetite and fortification. There is therefore no reason to diminish the level of kashrus* of the foods. One can surely find other means and other ways to strengthen the appetite and the state of health of the children, without encroaching upon the kashrus* and the best manner of observing it. With my blessing to convey good news,

For the Rebbe Shlita*,

the secretary,