Judaism, while rationally based, comprises much more than the intellect. Study and practice must permeate all aspects of daily life, secular and holy.
The Avner Institute presents three letters reinforcing the observance and awareness of Torah within all occasions—dedication of a new home, holiday activities of a Chabad women’s auxiliary, role of a physician as healer—and the Divine connection between mind and emotion.
Dedicated in memory of loving memory of Hadassah Lebovic A”h.
“Vitality of the organism”
By the Grace of G-d
8th of Kislev 5718
Brooklyn, NY
Mr. I. Groob
44 Marvel Road
New Haven, Conn.
Greeting and Blessing:
I was pleased to be informed by Rabbi V. Schildkraut about the Melave Malka which was held in your home, which also served as an occasion of chanukas habayis [dedication of new home].
Inasmuch as this occasion also coincided with Rosh Chodesh Kislev, the significance of it is all the greater. For, as you know, “Rosh” means head, and it is used in connection with the New Year and New Moon, instead of an identical term in Hebrew. This indicates that as the head is the center of the nervous system and vitality of the organism, and if the head if all right, the whole organism functions well, so it is with an initial period of time when one makes a head start.
May G-d help that this occasion be a good beginning for further stimulating activities in the cause of Torah and mitzvoth in everyday life, and, as our Sages say, that the essential thing is not the theory but the practice, and there is always room for improvement.
I take this opportunity to extend to you and yours my prayerful wishes that your change of address be a change for the better, both materially and spiritually.
With blessing,
[signature]
“The very basis of family life”
By the Grace of G-d
27th of Marcheshvan 5719
Brooklyn, NY
Mrs. R. Schildkraut
88 Kensington St.
New Haven 11, Conn.
Blessing and Greeting:
I received your letter of the 19th of Marcheshvan, with a report about the first meeting of the Neshei of New Haven. I was very pleased to read same, and especially to note the program of study which you have set before you. I was also gratified to see that the ladies participated in the discussion that followed.
I trust that this interest will continue, and even grow. Perhaps it may be advisable to consider the possibility of having the members themselves address the group in rotation by reading a paper to them, followed by a discussion. Of course, it would be necessary to work out a certain program to give each one ample time to prepare such a paper.
Needless to say, the study of dinim [laws] is very important, and I would suggest that you should provide for the study of the dinim that are connected with the Festivals in proximity with the particular Festival. For instance, now that we are approaching Chanukah, it would be well to devote one or two sessions for the study of the dinim connected with Chanukah, similarly in the case of Purim and Pesach that will follow, and so on. This, of course, should be in addition to the practical dinim which should be studied on a steady basis.
With regard to the desire of some members to study the laws of Taharas Hamishpocha [Family Purity], I need hardly emphasize that these laws are most important. Unfortunately, although they are the very basis of family life, and are essential to true happiness and the future of our people as a whole, nevertheless,there is a prevalent ignorance of these laws, as a result of which there is also a laxity in their observance, or non-observance altogether. It is also unfortunate that even where these laws are sometimes mentioned, they are mentioned with a misplaced sense of modesty, for there is no room for modesty in regard to laws which are so vital.
You mentioned that your next session is planned for a date close to the 19th of Kislev. In this connection, I hope that you are in the possession of the English brochure which tells the story of this Day. If not, you can easily obtain it from our office. It would be most appropriate that the highlight of the lecture at that session should be connected with this historic Day and its significance, and that it should be followed by a discussion on the subject.
Please convey my prayerful wishes to every member of your Group, for success, both in the work of this Group, as well as for G-d’s blessings in every way.
With blessing,
[signature]
“Intellect and feeling in perfect harmony”
By the Grace of G-d
The 1st of Adar II 5717
Brooklyn, NY
Dr. William Mendelsohn
442 Temple Street
New Haven, Conn.
Greetings and Blessings:
I was gratified to learn from Rabbi V. Schildkraut that you gave him your special attention and particularly in connection with the surgery which you performed on him.
A physician is, of course, the authorized agent through whom G-d sends a cure to a sick person, and needless to say, it is not only the physician’s skill that is important, but also his cordial attitude towards his patients, in conformity with the accepted view that a physician’s profession is not just a calling but is a sacred mission of bringing a relief and a cure to the suffering. Hence a personal attitude, and even a personal bond with the patient often goes a long way towards bringing him the necessary relief and cure.
Although in the case of a surgeon a subjective attitude may, in a sense, present a problem, since the surgeon must operate with perfect calmness, without being distracted by personal emotion, yet in practice the surgeon who combines intellect and feeling in perfect harmony enjoys G-d’s blessings, so that he is not only not distracted by his feelings, but rather the contrary, is greatly helped thereby.
Parenthetically, one of the significant lessons and influences of Tefillin, which, as you know, is placed both on the arm facing the heart and on the head facing the brain, is to teach us and help us to harmonize the two and to subjugate both to the services of G-d and mankind, making the complete and perfect man.
All this is in keeping with the idea of Monotheism, of which our Jewish people have been privileged to be the bearers throughout the ages. This is the idea that a perfect pervades everything, the macrocosm as well as the microcosm. Accordingly, in human life we do not consider the body and soul as two separate universes, but two aspects of the same microcosm. Even science, in modern times, has become aware of this truth, realizing that the physical and spiritual health are intimately connected.
I trust, therefore, that in treating your patients physically, you also help them spiritually, which in general terms, means to strengthen their bond with the Source of Life, the Creator of the Universe, and the Giver of the Torah, in the way we are taught in our Torah, the Law of Life, how to realize and strengthen the said bonds in the most effective and in the fullest measure.
I do not want to say “Thank you” for your personal attention to Rabbi Schildkraut, but instead I would rather extend to you my prayerful wishes that for many, many years to come the Al-mighty grant you the strength and the skill to help those who turn to you, both physically and spiritually. And as G-d’s reward is in kind, but in a very generous measure, may the Al-mighty reward you and all yours with good health, both physically and spiritually.
With blessing,
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