180 —עדכון על מצב בריאות הריי"צ ותובנות חסידיות על רפואה

B"H, Thursday, 26 Teves, 5705.

Brooklyn.

To the esteemed administration of Kollel Chabad in Jerusalem and at its head, Haraha"g Haraha"ch renowned for praise, Maskil al Davar Tov vavac"h iy"a etc. Shabsi Ber Mahrar Shiel Shlita.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Your letter from Tuesday, Kislev 3rd reached me. Thank G-d that the health of my father-in-law, the Rebbe Rayatz Shlita, is improving. Now the doctors have permitted him to return to his holy work for a few hours each day. However, the prohibition against receiving people for "yechidus" remains in place. In general—care must be taken to avoid anything that could cause distress or excitement and similar matters. It is hoped that with each day his condition will further improve.

Here we continue reciting Tehillim (some chapters after Shacharis in addition to the fixed daily portion divided among the days of the month), and certainly you too are continuing these activities now. May Hashem send my father-in-law, the Rebbe Rayatz Shlita, a complete recovery very soon as is prayed for by all Anash—may it be so speedily in our days.

It is worth noting what our Sages say (Megillah 17b; explained in Tehillim by tzt"z VI:1): Healing is in the eighth [blessing], referring to Birkat Refa'einu (the blessing for healing), which brings complete healing. The eighth candle (in generations of leaders of Chassidus: Baal Shem Tov, Maggid of Mezritch, etc.) corresponds to Yosef (the eighth king—see additions to Torah Ohr Vayechi—Tzaddik Yesod Olam; circumcision on the eighth day; Shemini Atzeres as Yosef—Zohar I:264b; Likkutei Torah by Maharash Na"a I:74). And regarding Yitzchak (ten times Havayah—Ohr HaTorah by tzt"z p.304a). In general healing that will be in the future (see Dvarim Haskuni—Bederech Emunah by tzt"z), in Messianic times when Moshiach will come speedily in our days—the days of a harp with eight strings—and then they will say specifically to Yitzchak: 'For you are our father.' See also (Sanhedrin 94a) where Hashem sought to make Hezekiah Moshiach... until when? Until B'zuzzi D'b'zuzzi (which has already been fulfilled in our times)... Hezekiah who has eight names...

With blessings for immediate teshuvah and immediate redemption.

Summary

The Rebbe updates on the improving health of his father-in-law and encourages continued prayers. He shares profound chassidic teachings linking healing with spiritual concepts associated with the number eight and looks forward to ultimate redemption and healing.