7136 —בריאות הרבנית, חידושי תורה, והערות על נרות חנוכה

B"H, days of Chanukah, 5720.

Brooklyn, NY. The two hundredth year since the passing (yahrzeit) of the Baal Shem Tov z"l.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Thank you very much for the good news about the improvement in your wife's (the Rebbetzin's) health. Since it is ruled that a man's wife is considered as his own body (Ketubot 66a), and as is often explained—one can say in this context that this was revealed in the hidden part of Torah (Zohar I 91b; see also Likkutei HaShas of the Arizal to Berachot)—this is also reflected in the revealed part of Torah. Certainly with you as well this is so, and the fainting has been uprooted from its source.

Regarding what you wrote about "the verse repeated it to delay"—it should not be understood that this is only regarding kodashim (sacred matters)—everything is by Divine Providence. I received your letter when I learned that this sicha was being printed in HaMaor. I request that you note the reference to Tosafot Menachot 38a; Yad Malachi; Lekach Tov, rule 5; and also see Otvon D'Orayta, rule 12. Regarding your question on Tosafot Pesachim 11a "such as kodashim"—and Lekach Tov also addresses this—it becomes clear based on Tosafot Menachot mentioned above. In Shitah Mekubetzet Zevachim (5a), in my edition it says: "for it is only a mitzvah regarding kashrut," which fits with what follows: "regarding acceptance," meaning that the mitzvah defines either kashrut or acceptance (and parallel to this is the concept of delay), but not a third category beyond kashrut and acceptance.

Regarding what you wrote about Ramban on "Let there be light"—that it does not say "and it was so"—[and in Toledot Yaakov Yosef he cites Zohar and Sefer HaBahir who ask similarly, and apparently Ramban alludes to this by writing "measure for measure." See also Keter Shem Tov at its end and Or Torah by Maggid of Mezritch on these topics]—regarding our light see Chagigah 12a.

Regarding what you wrote about Torah Or (discourse beginning "On the twenty-fifth of Kislev") concerning the menorah in the Beis HaMikdash—in this discourse he explains according to halachic authorities that there was no menorah lighting except in the west and east positions (see Responsa Rashba; Ramban; Tosafot Yoma 71a; see also Tosefot Yom Tov chapter 7 Yoma and chapter 3 Tamid). He explains the order in the morning: cleaning lamp seven, cleaning lamp six, lighting lamp six, lighting lamp seven. The matter is lengthy and cannot be fully addressed here.

This letter was written to Moreinu HaRav Ephraim Eliezer Yales, appended to the general text from a previous letter. Additional letters to him are found above volume 18 letter 682 and those referenced there; below letters 7272, 7737, 7783, and 7899. HaMaor: see also Likkutei Sichos vol. IV p.1253 note 3 regarding menorah in Beis HaMikdash; see also above vol.16 letter 525.

Summary

The Rebbe expresses gratitude for good news about health while sharing deep Torah insights on halachic topics related to Hanukkah candles and references for further study. He encourages thorough scholarship alongside personal well-being.