3594 —הצורך בהתאחדות של רופאים דתיים

B"H, 2nd of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, 5715.

Brooklyn, NY.

To the Committee for the Gathering of Religious Doctors in New York, may Hashem be upon them and grant them life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

It was with pleasure that I received the news about your gathering, whose purpose is to organize a union of religious doctors. If at all times the unification of those who are careful regarding the word of Hashem is a good thing, how much more so in our generation—a generation confused by shocking events that have caused many to become completely disillusioned with their false opinions and ideologies and have awakened them to sincerely seek truth. A union of religious doctors has the ability to influence this trend by making clear statements on several points where many err and stray—to declare that true science, whose sole aim is truth, cannot reach conclusions that contradict our Torah of truth; on the contrary—the deeper one investigates, the greater one's recognition becomes in both the fundamentals and details of our faith, the faith of Israel.

As doctors especially, it is necessary to absolutely reject the doctrine of materialism, considering how much bodily health depends on mental health. If from ancient times the medical proverb emphasized "a healthy soul in a healthy body," today it has become clear how even a slight defect in the soul can cause great physical harm. The healthier the soul is, the greater its control over the body and its ability to correct bodily deficiencies—so much so that even some physical treatments are far more effective when combined with strength and willpower from the patient's soul.

This principle—that form (quality) outweighs matter (quantity)—is also evident in that even regarding bodily matters there is growing recognition that vital bodily functions do not depend on quantity; for example, glands (drizen ^[1]) and their products (hormones, vitamins, etc.) are extremely minute in quantity.

As an aside: It is said "mi-besari echeze Eloka" ("From my flesh I perceive G‑d")—from recognizing the soul's rule over the body (a small world), it is but a small step to recognizing Hashem's rule over the world (the great man). In our sages' words: Just as this soul fills the body, sustains it, sees but is not seen—so too does Hashem fill and sustain the world; He sees but is not seen.

The above are general points. There are many questions directly related to a doctor's profession—some practical halachic issues. For example: publicizing the great benefit in observing family purity laws; observing kosher dietary laws; circumcision; regarding reproductive organs: rejecting treatments causing sterilization and replacing them with alternatives—especially concerning prostate surgery. Medications: some can be prepared kosherly but due to lack of attention are made otherwise. Autopsies: for learning anatomy—use models or templates; for determining cause of death—in many cases this knowledge isn't necessary at all. If it's needed for immediate saving of life (such as ruling out poisoning), only dissect what's essential and bury those parts afterward. And so forth.

It goes without saying that regarding what was said above about health benefits from mitzvah observance—I do not mean to explain reasons for mitzvos; as is known, mitzvos must be fulfilled because they are G‑d's command and will—and "the reward for a mitzvah is [the act of] fulfilling it," for this is man's entire purpose: to connect and unite with his Creator through fulfilling His commandments. My intention here concerns those who are spiritually ill—for whom there is no other way yet to draw them closer to mitzvah observance—so we must do everything possible to bring them to actual observance even if only by emphasizing its physical benefits.

I conclude with wishes that you fulfill "az nedberu yirei Hashem ish el re'eihu" ("Then those who fear Hashem spoke one to another") and may Hashem's desire succeed through your hands to bring about real results. As it says: "And it shall be written in a book of remembrance before Him," as a remembrance before Hashem and merit for the many—for their merit depends on you.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that uniting religious doctors can influence society toward truth by showing harmony between Torah and science. He encourages practical halachic guidance within medicine while stressing mitzvah observance as both spiritual fulfillment and physical benefit.