By the Grace of G-dRosh Chodesh Adar, 5745Brooklyn, N.Y.

Blessing and Greeting:

I received your letter requesting a blessing for yourself and your sons . . . and . . . I will remember you in prayer when visiting the holy resting place of my father-in-law of saintly memory in accordance with the contents of your letter.

While a Jew must always have complete trust in HaShem, one is expected to do what is necessary in the natural order. In matters of health this means getting professional help, which, I see from your letter, is being done. It would also be well to consult with Chabad activists in your area to find out what programs they offer.

Since all blessings come from HaShem, and the channel to receive them is through the everyday life and conduct in accordance with His Will, every additional effort in matters of Yiddishkeit, Torah and Mitzvos, widens these channels. In this connection, Mitzvos performed by any member of the family, especially parents and children, have a mutually beneficial effect on all members of the family, since a Jewish family is like one organism.

Judging by your writing, I trust there would be no problem in urging your sons to be extra careful in observing Kashrus of foods and beverages, as well as putting on, every weekday morning, Tefillin that have been checked for Kashrus. These Mitzvos are particularly related to physical and mental health.

May you have good news to report in all above, especially as we have now entered in the auspicious month of Adar, highlighted by Purim - in which Jewish women had a very significant role, as emphasized by the name of the Megillah, which is not called after Mordechai, nor after Mordechai and Esther or Esther and Mordechai, jointly, but solely after Esther - Megillas Esther!

Wishing you and all, yours a joyous and inspiring Purim,

With blessing,