Weekly Letter: The Stronger the Faith and Will, the Stronger the Ability to Recover

The month of Iyar is the month of healing – Ani HaShem Rofecho. May it be so for all Yidden. In keeping with the theme of good health, we share a brief and uplifting letter of the Rebbe, to a woman who feels despondent about the grim prognosis of the doctor about her medical situation. The letter, written originally in English, is from the archives of the Rebbe’s trusted secretary Rabbi Nissan Mindel.

Mrs. 5712
Bronx, N. Y.
Blessing and Greeting:
I received your letter. While I am pleased to read in your letter a quotation about G-d being the Creator of the world Who also guides all its destinies, etc., this very good impression is weakened by the further tone of your letter, where you state that you want to be “realistic”, based on the prognosis of physicians regarding your condition.
I want to tell you, first, that even from the realistic point of view, we must recognize the fact that very many times the greatest physicians have made mistakes in diagnosis. Moreover, in recent times we see that new discoveries are made daily in the medical field, with new “wonder” drugs and methods, which have revolutionized medical treatment.
Secondly, observing life in general, we see so many things that are strange and unbelievable, that to be truly realistic one cannot consider anything as impossible.
In a condition which is, to a large extent, bound up with the nervous system and the resistance of the organism, even medical opinion agrees that the stronger the patient’s faith in cure, and the stronger his will to get better, the stronger becomes his ability to recover.
Needless to say, this is not said in the way of an admonition. But, inasmuch as by individual Divine Providence, you have learned of me, and I of you, I think I am entitled to convey to you the above thoughts, which I was privileged to hear from my father-in-law of saintly memory in similar cases.
May the Almighty help you to fulfill your promise to work for Torah-true movements, and to bring up your children in the way of true Yiddishkeit.
With blessing, and hoping to hear good news from you,
Sincerely,