Spiritual Illness
To translate it into terms of “infection control,” the person who develops good habits becomes immune to the yetzer hara [evil inclination], but by the same token he does not merit reward, since no effort is required here.
The Rebbe
Himself a graduate of France’s famous Sorbonne, the Rebbe retained a keen interest in science. But he always recognized in theories and discoveries profound religious and ethical messages. The Avner Institute presents the Rebbe’s medical insights to a physician, whose interest in curing disease must also be used to further Jewish outreach; and the importance of studying super-diligently the Tanya, the seminal Chabad-Chassidic work and spiritual “antibiotic” to the modern world.
Dedicated to David and Eda Schottenstein. May they be blessed with much continued health and success.
“Where the physical reflects the spiritual”
By the Grace of G-d
Erev Lag B’Omer 5729
Brooklyn, NY
Prof. Zeev Greene
1601 Spring Valley Rd.
Golden Valley, MN 55422
Greeting and Blessing:
I duly received your recent three letters, with the enclosures. Thank you very much for the good news they contained and may G-d grant that you should always be able to report good news in all your affairs, both personal and general.
With regard to the idea of taking leave of absence in order to devote the time to visits in England, the European continent, etc.—generally speaking, judging by your descriptions of the project, it would be advisable to implement it and make the most of it. On the other hand, this is contingent on being quite certain that it would in no way jeopardize the security of your present position. For, undoubtedly, there are quite a few aspirants who would like to step into the vacancy. It would therefore be necessary to make quite sure the absence would in no way affect the security and tenure of your position.
Needless to say, there is also the consideration that your visits to foreign countries could be used in a manner that would actually strengthen your position. It is for this reason that my first thought was that it would be a very good idea. I do hope that the apprehension I mentioned earlier is groundless, or you could in any case make sure that it would remain groundless. Whatever your decision in this matter, may G-d grant that your decision be the proper one, and be with hatzlocho [success] in every detail, all the more so since your hatzlocho means a benefit for many through enjoying your good influence in an increased measure.
Article of Interest
I was particularly interested to note the enclosure reflecting the response to your article which originally appeared in the London Jewish Chronicle. In view of the fact that a part of your article was regrettably omitted in its original publication, I trust that you will find an opportunity to have the article republished in full in other media. And since people prefer something new, it does not mean that the article should be presented in exactly the same form as before, but it can externally be changed and recast, for the important thing is the content and the thoughts expressed, that they should be inducive and stimulate the reader towards authentic Yiddishkeit without compromise. As a new addition to the article could serve your experiences and activities in spreading Yiddishkeit among faculty and students. No doubt this point occurred to you also, and it could fit in very well with the general tenor of your published article.
With personal regards and with blessing,
[signature]
P.S. I am usually very reluctant to express my view on matters which lie outside my field of competence. However, having “glanced” through the detailed research program which you enclosed in your letter. I decided to make an observation.
Bacterial Infections
I fail to find among the itemized points of study one aspect which, in my humble opinion, should have been of particular interest. I was referring to the recognition that certain microbes and infections may be germane to hospitals—a view which gained some attention in particular literature. I am not familiar with the details of this problem, but I believe it has to do with the ability of bacteria to develop immunity to antibiotics, as has been established in the case of penicillin, etc. Hence it is very possible that methods of infection control which are effective elsewhere may lose their effectiveness because of continuous and consistent application in hospitals, or because the hospital environment has produced certain strains of certain bacteria which has given them a measure of immunity in that specific environment.
I do not know whether the omission of this aspect from your project is due to the circumstance that a three months’ study period would not be sufficient to include an investigation into this area, since, undoubtedly, it would entail the problem of distinguishing “immunized” from “non-immunized” bacteria, etc., as well as the problems of changing methods of sterilization and infection control, and clinical observation, etc. Or, simply, because this question is outside your present work. Yes, it seems to be that this is a question of practical importance and should be well within your field of interest.
Infection Control
As in all matters, where the physical reflects the spiritual, there is a didactic relevance in the abovementioned subject, reflected in Jewish ethics, and in halacha. The point is dealt with conspicuously in the Tanya and is related to the Talmudic saying that a person studying the same subject 101 times attains an excellence quite out of proportion over the person who studies only 100 times. At first glance this is puzzling. However, the Ba’al HaTanya [Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the first Lubavitcher Rebbe, also known as the “Alter Rebbe”] explains it by reason of the fact that it was customary in those days to review a subject 100 times; hence it was no special accomplishment. On the other hand, the one who did it 101 times went beyond his habit and accustomed practice, resulting in an extraordinary accomplishment, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Indeed, the Ba’al HaTanya goes on to define the latter oved Hashem [servant of G-d] and the other asher lo avodo [one who does not serve], (Ch. 15).
To translate it into terms of “infection control,” the person who develops good habits becomes immune to the yetzer hara [evil inclination], but by the same token he does not merit reward, since no effort is required here. Similarly in regard to transgressions, as explained in Iggeres HaTeshuva [Book 3 of the Tanya] where the difference between committing a transgression a second time and a third time is a difference in kind and not merely in degree. This should be discussed at greater length, but not here.
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