Traditionally, the months of Av and Adar are polar opposites—one full of fear and sadness, the other full of joy and positivity. But when confronting medical or practical issues, we rely on higher powers. The Avner Institute presents two letters linking Torah observance, effected through kosher education of our youth, to the source of Jewish life; and the Rebbe’s analogy of Torah commandments as tools for mental and physical health.

In loving memory of Hadassah Lebovic A”h

By the Grace of G-d
20 Menachem Av 5718
Brooklyn, NY

Greeting and Blessing:

This is to acknowledge your letter of July 3rd.

I was very gratified to read of the great strides that have been made in your community towards strengthening true Torah Yiddishket. At all times, efforts to strengthen our traditional faith had a priority claim on public-minded individuals; in our times such efforts are simply a vital necessity, especially in communities where there is an inadequacy of Torah institutions.

Moreover, efforts in the field of Kosher education are truly rewarding, because the accomplishments are lasting and cumulative. For every influence during the receptive and formative years of growing children and youths has a decisive effect on adulthood, as in the example of a seed or seedling, where even a slight defect, if not corrected, might irreparably damage the grown tree and its fruit for generations.

I would also like to emphasize, what is indeed self-evident, that inasmuch as the Torah and mitzvoth are the Truth, as the Torah is called “Torah Emeth,” and as our rabbis have also said, “There is no truth but the Torah (Jerushalmi, Rosh Hashanah, ch. 3, Hal. 8), there can be no room here for compromise and half-truths. For compromise and truth are absolutely contradictory.

Moreover, experience has long disproved the fallacy, perhaps well-meant, but quite misguided, that if you tell youths and adolescents the whole truth about the Torah and mitzvoth, they will be frightened away from Yiddishkeit. The contrary is true, for, give a lad or girl the whole truth about Yiddishkeit, they will accept it enthusiastically; dilute it—and you arouse their mistrust and antagonism. Similarly, in the case of adults who, for one reason or another, are as yet not straightened out on the question of the Torah and mitzvoth, they, too, will be impressed only by the feeling of awareness of the whole truth, while they will view with suspicion and derision any effort to dish the truth out to them in “palatable” pills which they could swallow in the estimation of those who would be presumptuous to think for them and judge their capacities.

In education, above all, gaining the child’s confidence is the teacher’s primary objective. The child is quick to detect the teacher’s sincerity, and sooner or later he will also find out whether or not he has been deceived by his teacher, no matter what the motivation was. Should the child lose confidence in the teacher for teaching him only half-truths, he will reject the whole.

On the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the New Year, may it bring true happiness to all our people, whom we all pray “For Thou, O G-d, art Truth, and Thy Word, O our King is Truth and endureth forever,” may every one of us resolve to spread the Truth, through the dissemination of Torath-Emeth, and make it a living truth in everyday life.

In the merit of this the Al-mighty will surely inscribe each and every one of the workers for Torah-true Yiddishkeit, in the midst of all our people, to a truly happy and prosperous New Year, materially and spiritually.

With blessing,

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“Always room for improvement”

By the Grace of G-d
9 Adar 5739
Brooklyn, NY

Greeting and Blessing:

This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 7th of Adar, in which you write about the proposed treatment, surgery, for I will remember her in prayer that whatever the decision, it should be with hatzlacha [success].

Inasmuch as you also ask my “advice” in this matter, I can only say in a general way that I am not in favor of radical treatment if there is any possibility of treating a patient in some other way.

I must also add that it is customary among Jews that when there is a difference of opinion among doctors as to the urgency of an operation, or whether to operate or not, it should be treated as any other sha’ala [question], to consult with a competent practicing Rov, with whom the various aspects and details of the case could be personally discussed, and he can then state his opinion in accordance with the Shulchan Aruch [Code of Jewish Law].

I trust there is no need to emphasize at length that one always needs the blessing of “The Healer of all flesh Who works wondrously,” and the channel to receive it through the everyday life and conduct in accordance with His Will, namely in accordance with the Torah and mitzvoth. When a special Divine blessing is needed, an additional effort in this direction is indicated.

While on the subject of the Torah and mitzvoth, as well as medical science, it is fitting to mention here the analogy between the two. As you know, medical science is basically an empirical science, relying primarily on actual experience and the effectiveness of drugs which has been proven by application and use. The understanding of how the drugs actually do their work is not of primary importance, and can be studied later.

The same is true of the Torah and mitzvoth insofar as the Jewish people is concerned. For our long history has proven beyond a doubt that the existence of the Jewish people is intimately bound up with the Torah and mitzvoth as a way of life, and this has been the only constant factor that has preserved our people at all times and in all places under all kinds of circumstances; whereas other factors that are important for other peoples, such as language, territory, etc., have been changing from time to time and from place to place, so that these cannot be considered determining factors in Jewish life.

I trust that you are using your privileged position of bringing cure and healing to your patients to encourage them to live up more fully to the Will of G-d in the everyday life, since there is always room for improvement in all matters of goodness and holiness, Torah and mitzvoth.

At this time, before Purim, I extend to you and yours prayerful wishes for a joyous and inspiring Purim.

With esteem and blessing,

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