4854 —בדיקה אצל רופא כשהאשה מודאגת, ובדיקת תפילין הכוללת בתים ורצועות

B"H, 20 Marcheshvan, 5717

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In answer to your letter of 14 Cheshvan, in which you write about the state of mind of your wife, may she live, and that she therefore wishes to be examined by a doctor, while you do not see the need to hurry in this.

Now, although my opinion is like yours — that one should not be troubled that she has not yet conceived — since your wife is troubled by it, you should explain your reasons to her. If she accepts them well and with gladness of heart, good. But if for whatever reason the impression remains with her, you should fulfill her wish to be examined by a doctor. As to what you write of the concern that it would be by a male doctor — I have not heard that people are particular about this in medical matters. At most, you could look into whether there is perhaps a woman doctor who is an expert in the field.

Regarding what you write about So-and-so, whose tefillin were checked and the parshiyos found kosher and of fine quality — it is understood and plain that checking tefillin includes the parshiyos and also the batim and the straps. Moreover — although I am surprised at it — it has already happened several times in such cases that I was informed from the Holy Land, may it be built and established, that tefillin were given to one sofer to check and he declared them kosher, and afterwards a second sofer after him found a missing letter or the like — that is, something invalid according to all opinions.

It is surprising that you do not mention in your letter the activities in spreading the wellsprings outward, nor the activities of Tzeirei Agudas Chassidei Chabad in general. You will surely make up for this at the very earliest opportunity.

With blessing,

M. Schneerson

Publisher's note

Part of this letter was printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 16, p. 501, and part there, p. 589; it was completed from a photocopy of the letter.