Igrot Kodesh · Letter 688 — Faith & Bitachon

By the grace of Hashem,
21 Menachem Av 5710,

To the distinguished Chassid*, who fears Hashem, ...

Greetings and blessings,

I reply to your letter of 16 Menachem Av, concerning the state of health of your wife.

I do not understand your assertion according to which, for certain reasons, she cannot have children, when at the beginning of your letter you tell me that she was expecting in Elul 5709. If it was possible then, it must be possible still now.

It seems to me, therefore, that she must abstain from the terrible things to which you allude. She will consult once more a specialist, who will prescribe a less violent means. By such-and-such a doctor and such-and-such a treatment, all will be arranged and the blessing of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, will be fulfilled. Then Hashem will gladden your heart by giving you a child.

You tell me that, on account of all this, your wife has become nervous.

It is therefore necessary to convey to her that Hashem directs the world in the best way. He knows what is good and has written, in the Torah, that a child is a blessing. And, if it happens that, with certain Jews, this blessing is delayed, we must know that we have a great Rebbe, my father-in-law, who, in the end, will obtain the realization of his blessings for those who are bound to him.

Nonetheless, it is necessary to strengthen this attachment. On the contrary, when one casts doubt on the realization of his blessing and, on account of this, becomes nervous, there is the symptom of a slackening of one's confidence and one's attachment, which Heaven forbid. When in addition the health is thereby weakened, it can only be a matter of an intervention of the yetzer hara*.

She and you yourself must therefore strengthen yourselves in your bitachon* in Hashem and in the Moshe of our generation, His servant, my father-in-law, the Rebbe. It is in this way that his blessing will be fulfilled most quickly, that you will have a child and all good.

Before lighting the candles, your wife no doubt gives Tzedakah* for the fund of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNess. Without making it a vow, you read each day the Psalm of the Rebbe, currently Tehillim 71.

When your wife awaits a child, with the help of Hashem, you will tell no one, at first. On the other hand, you will immediately convey the news to the Rebbe, at the gravesite.

I conclude by extending my blessing,

Menachem Schneerson