By the Grace of G-dRosh Chodesh Kislev, 5733Brooklyn N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

I duly received the telephone message as well as letter in regard to your state of health, and I remembered you in prayer at the holy resting place of my father-in-law of saintly memory in accordance with the request.

From what I have been informed about your advancement in matters of Yiddishkeit, it is surely unnecessary to emphasize to you the importance of Bitachon - complete trust in G-d, not just as an abstract belief, but in a way that truly permeates one’s whole being. For, in addition to this being one of the very fundamentals of our faith and way of life, this is also a channel to receive G-d’s blessings, especially for the success of the medical treatment, which has to be undertaken in the natural order, inasmuch as our holy Torah itself gives authority and power to doctors to heal and cure.¹

You surely also know, that the daily life in accordance with the will of G-d is the channel whereby Jews receive G-d’s blessings in all needs, and additional efforts in this directions bring additional Divine blessings.

In light of the above, I would also like to suggest that although it may involve inconvenience at this time, it would be well, if at all possible, that you yourself should light the candles (well before sunset) on Erev-Shabbos, first lighting them then reciting the Brocho. Many also follow the custom of putting aside a few cents for Tzedoko before lighting the candles. This should be done bli-neder, also making sure that no chilul-Shabbos (G-d forbid) should be involved in this connection, either by the person lighting the candles or other members of the family. And since the Mitzvah of lighting the candles on Erev-Shabbos and Erev-Yom Tov has been given specifically to Jewish women, this Mitzvah has a special Zechus and Segulah for Jewish woman and the divine blessings that go with it. For this reason, the letter is being sent to you by Special Delivery, with a copy per Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, to make sure it reaches you before Shabbos.

With prayerful wishes to you and kind regards to your husband

With blessing,

M. Schneerson