3918 —קרוב משפחה מספר לרש"ב על תגלית מערכת העצבים

B"H, 1st of Kislev, 5716.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Ari Levin

Shalom u'Vrachah!

We acknowledge receipt of your letter from Monday, and regarding what you wrote about the story concerning medicine and the structure of the skull. Apparently, you refer to what I heard from my father-in-law, the Rebbe (of blessed memory), namely: His father, the Rebbe (the Rashab) of blessed memory, was approached by a family member who excitedly told him about a newly read discovery regarding the course of nerves (nerves) in the head. The Rebbe replied that this matter is already found in the writings of Chassidus by the Mitteler Rebbe, son of the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch. He took out a booklet of writings and showed it to him inside. He concluded that the Mitteler Rebbe knew this not because he was an expert in medicine but because he understood these matters as they exist in Adam HaElyon (the Supernal Man), since man below is made in His image and likeness.

And one must always use one's teacher's language; my father-in-law added that this statement from that family member occurred while the Rashab was drying his hands after netilat yadayim (ritual hand washing), and he was not pleased to be approached at that time. Therefore, during the statement he only looked at the speaker, and after reciting Hamotzi he answered as above.

This teaches us incidentally that there is intention not only during reciting the blessing over washing but also during drying one's hands; thus, other speech at that time is distracting.

Enclosed is the recent issue of Kovetz Lubavitch which has just been published; surely it will interest your honor and you will share its content with others as well—the merit of many depends on you.

With blessing.

Summary

The letter highlights how Chassidus contains deep insights paralleling scientific discoveries and stresses both spiritual awareness and sensitivity to proper timing when communicating important matters.