605 —בריאות, שמיעת הוראות הרופא, וערך הגוף בתורה

B"H, 17 Iyar, 5710.

Haraha"ch vavaha"ch iy"a nu"m etc.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was saddened to hear that you are feeling weak in your health, and in addition to this you are not careful to follow the doctor's orders. Many times I heard from my father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m, what his father the Rebbe n"a said: How precious is a Jewish body, that so much has been poured out for it—and it is known that specifically to souls in bodies was the Torah and mitzvos given, not to angels. If the Creator Himself values the body so highly, it is understood how careful a person must be in guarding this deposit entrusted to him from Above.

Our Sages taught us (Berachos 60a) that permission was given to a doctor to heal; therefore, the doctor acts with permission and by command of the Torah. It is thus clear that even if for a time one must temporarily set aside a good custom or stringency or similar matter by listening to the doctor's voice, Torah will not remain as a debtor. By temporarily suspending a custom or stringency for a short time, you will have the ability to increase your strength in Torah and mitzvos many times over for long and good years.

With wishes for a complete recovery and much nachas from all your descendants, and as per the blessings of my father-in-law, the Rebbe hk"m—which endure forever.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that caring for one's health is itself a Torah value; following medical advice does not diminish spiritual standing but enables greater strength in mitzvah observance. The body is precious because it is through it that we fulfill G‑d's will.