Blessings for Healing and Elevation

Holy Letters of the Rebbe – Volume 15, Letter 5418
Baruch Hashem, the second day of Iyar, 5717, Brooklyn. Addressed to the chossid, הרבני החסיד וכו׳, Dovid שי׳ Stockhammer, Brooklyn.

The Rebbe writes that he has been receiving reports regarding his health. This itself reflects how deeply the Rebbe cared for each individual, following their condition closely and seeking every opportunity to strengthen and help them.

The Rebbe writes that it is his hope that today there is improvement over yesterday, and that tomorrow will be even better than today. In other words, the Rebbe blesses him with steady and continuous recovery.

The Rebbe explains that improvement in health is not only desirable from a physical standpoint, but is also connected to a fundamental Torah principle. In all matters of holiness, one must always rise higher and continue progressing—maalin bakodesh. Since the body of a Jew is itself holy, growth and healing in physical health are likewise included in this concept of continual ascent.

The Rebbe cites the well-known teaching of the Alter Rebbe in Tanya, chapter 49, where he explains that Hashem’s choice of the Jewish people applies not only to the soul, but to the physical body as well. The body itself is chosen and sanctified. Therefore, caring for the body and strengthening its health are matters of holiness.

The Rebbe adds that this blessing is especially fitting during the days between Pesach and Shavuos, and particularly in the month of Iyar, a time associated in many seforim with healing and recovery. Iyar is linked with the phrase Ani Hashem Rofecha—“I am Hashem your healer.”

The Rebbe concludes with a blessing for a Good Shabbos, and expresses the hope that very soon we should merit the fulfillment of the promise in that week’s Haftorah, with the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days.

The overall tone of the letter is one of warmth, encouragement, and healing. The Rebbe conveys that growing stronger each day is itself an expression of holiness and ascent, and blesses him with complete recovery and good news.