By the Grace of G-d 12th of Tevet, 5735 Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

I just received your letter in which you write about your husband’s health and the doctor’s recommendation, particularly about his taking leave of absence from the School.

Apparently you are apprehensive about what my reaction to this might be. So let me, first of all, allay any such apprehension, for it is one of the basic teachings of our Torah, called Torat Chayim (meaning our “guide to life”) that a Jew must regard his body as something that has been entrusted to him by G-d, and consequently must take very special care of his body and physical health, as the custodian of a sacred trust.

Secondly, in matters of health the only person qualified to advise is one who is an authority in this field, namely a physician. This too is a basic tenet of our Torah.

In light of the above, you can set aside any anxiety about my reaction. On the contrary, if your husband had asked me about this matter, I would have unhesitatingly advised him to follow his doctor’s recommendation, even if I had not known your feelings in the matter.

I assume that one of the reasons for your apprehension may have been my deep and heartfelt concern for the School. On this score too, my answer is twofold. Firstly, that I am certain that your husband’s concern for the School is also deep enough not to be jeopardized by a leave of absence. Secondly, even from the viewpoint of the School, it must have healthy friends and supporters, especially the one who is the moving spirit behind it.

Having said the above, I want to further clarify my position in a different context. Knowing your husband, and having some knowledge of human nature in general, I look at it this way. When a person is deeply involved in a matter or situation, whatever it may be, if he finds himself impelled to tear himself away from it, he will, of course, relieve himself of the stress directly associated with his involvement. On the other hand, the fact that he had to terminate his involvement even temporarily is likely to diminish the benefit of his absence from the cause, which is so near and dear to him.

What I am saying here is something you can readily accept, since it is based on the opinion of the Rambam (Maimonides), who was not only a great Torah authority, but also a great medical authority, so that even today many of his medical opinions in his medical works are reckoned with.

The Rambam declares that a Jew can serve G-d not only when he studies Torah and does mitzvot, but also when he eats, drinks and sleeps. When a Jew goes to sleep with the intention that he will be able to better serve G-d the following day after a good night’s sleep and rest, his sleep is part of his Divine service. (Hil. Deut., end ch. 3).

Applying the above to the present case, your husband’s temporary absence from the School is not really a break in his service to the school, but just another form of service to it. Indeed at this time, this is the specific way in which he can serve the school.

A further point is this. I am certain that the present stress which you write about in your letter was not caused by his involvement in the School. It is evidently related to the economic upheavals and changes now affecting the U.S.A. as every country in the world¹. Since your husband is a good and successful businessman, who obviously takes a keen interest in business, it is understandable that the present business problem would cause emotional stress, especially where there are partners and employees, etc. I am sure also that, rather than aggravating the stress, G-d forbid, the great inner satisfaction he has derived from the School has, to some extent at least, offset the dissatisfaction and disappointment which are now prevalent in the business world, over which he has no control.

I have no doubt that his physician — if he is not just a cardiologist, but also has some insight into a person’s emotional life - will concur with the above assessment, which is based on my observation of many similar cases, though it is also plain common sense.

Finally, let me say that while the doctor may recommend a six months’ leave of absence, I am quite sure that he will find himself fully recovered and invigorated much sooner than that, especially as I am hopeful that his business stress will also be relieved sooner than anticipated, and he will be able to enjoy good health and peace of mind, and great inner satisfaction from the continued progress of the School.

With prayerful wishes to you and your husband to have complete bitachon in G-d, and to enjoy true Yiddisher nachas from each and all your children, in good health and a happy frame of mind, now and always.

With blessing,

P.S. Because of the content of this letter, it is sent via Special Delivery.

PP.S. Needless to say, I leave it entirely to your discretion whether to show this letter to your husband.