Igrot Kodesh · Letter 6845 — Health

By the grace of Hashem,

5 Iyar* 5719,

Brooklyn,

I greet you and bless you,

I am responding to your letter of 2 Iyar*, "Tiferes of Tiferes*" (note 1: The third day of the third week of the counting of the Omer*, corresponding to 2 Iyar*), and I read therein with pleasure that all is well, thank Hashem. May Hashem grant that always and every day you announce to me only good tidings — of your physical health in the literal sense and of your spiritual health.

You also mention the matter of growing your beard. You are right to say that one must bear it and not be affected (note 2: By mockery). As the beginning of the Tur* and Shulchan Aruch*, Orach Chaim*, states, as well as the Shulchan Aruch* of the Alter Rebbe*: "One shall not be affected before the mockers." This initiative must receive the assent of both of you — that is, of yourself and of your wife — and you must be sure, insofar as possible, that you possess the necessary firmness.

We are, indeed, in the days when the Omer* is counted, as it is said: "You shall count for yourselves," and as you know, the Alter Rebbe* explains (note 3: See, on this subject, letter no. 6224): "You shall count (usfartem*) — you shall make luminous (from sapir*, sapphire, radiance). For yourselves — within yourselves." If this is indeed the case, your decision and its concrete application will be at a good and fruitful moment. And the difficulties will be far less significant than what you imagine.

You tell me in your letter that certain people will take it badly. Nevertheless, there will soon be good news in your family life (note 5: In this case, a birth), and without a doubt, "the image of Hashem" (note 6: The wearing of the beard) will multiply His blessings and the success He grants in all needs. I therefore have good hope that their reaction will be far less intense than what you envision. May Hashem grant you the success of announcing good tidings of this as well. I reiterate my blessing that the pregnancy of your wife proceed well and easily, that she have a healthy child, in its time and with ease. With my blessing to give good tidings of all this,