2181 —המשמעות הרוחנית של הרגל והעקב, וחיזוק בעניינים רוחניים

B"H, 26 Tammuz, 5713.

Brooklyn, NY.

Haraha"g veharaha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"m melachto melachet shamayim etc. Moshe Dovber Rivkin

Shalom u'Vrachah!

On Monday afternoon I received both of your letters at once, and it is a pity you did not inform Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"m involved in communal needs etc. Maharachma Chein Hadakov that you wish to enter (for yechidus), since you are traveling to pleasant pastures; for in such cases he is not stringent... I will conclude with wishes—as the saying of my father-in-law the Rebbe zatzal nbgm zya—tzoo hobn a gezunten zumer un a freilechen zumer (to have a healthy summer and a joyful summer), to your honor and all your family.

Blessings.

Regarding what you wrote about the discomfort in the sole of your foot: this has already been explained in Chassidus—the concept of the foot and especially the heel in spiritual terms. It is worthwhile to increase strength in these areas spiritually, and consequently there will also be improvement physically—see Torah Or at its beginning and Likkutei Torah on Parshas Pinchas there. The discourse "Ein HaKadosh Baruch Hu Ba B'trunya," and elsewhere (based on this one can explain the opinion (Berachos 25b) that regarding the heel it does not say "Kol Atzmosai Tomarna" (all my bones shall say [Your praise]), because its essence is kabbalat ol (acceptance of the yoke) and mesirus nefesh (self-sacrifice)). Note from Midrash Tanchuma cited by Rashi (Devarim 2:5) on "the sole of the foot," and "his feet shall stand on that day."

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that strengthening oneself spiritually even in seemingly lowly aspects like the heel leads to both spiritual and physical benefit. Every part of one's being can be elevated through dedication to G‑dliness.