שמירת בריאות הגוף וקיום הוראות הרופאים

B"H, 24 Menachem Av, 5713.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Your letter and your pidyon nefesh were received, and I will read it at an auspicious time at the holy resting place of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory. As I believe I have already written to you, you must be even more careful in guarding your physical health in the most literal sense. Therefore, you should follow the doctors’ instructions in this matter and not act with stubbornness here, because this too is a part of Torah like all other mitzvos. It is well known from our master the Alter Rebbe (quoted in Hayom Yom for Erev Rosh Hashanah): "One cannot fathom how precious to the Holy One, blessed be He, is the body of a Jew." The well-known teachings throughout Chassidus do not require proof. As for those who claim they are being stringent and therefore neglect their physical health for the sake of stringency—this is actually the opposite of true stringency, etc.

Conduct yourself as described above, and may Hashem grant you proper health both physically and spiritually…

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that caring for one’s physical health is itself a mitzvah and part of Torah observance. True spiritual devotion requires following medical guidance and valuing one’s body as precious to G‑d.