This letter was sent to R. Saadia Liberov who was preparing to travel on shlichus to Morocco.

B”H, 26 Shvat, 5711

Greetings and blessings,

In response to your letter of the 22nd of Shvat:

I already wrote to R. Benyamin Gorodetzky1 that, in my opinion, you should immediately resubmit your request for an entry visa to Morocco. You [and he] should consult together as to what is the most effective way of doing this (i.e., to which city, whose name to mention, and the like).

May G‑d grant you success that everything come about at the right time and season, enabling each of us to fulfill his mission in this world amidst prosperity.

If you would also like to try submitting papers to Australia2 — in a manner that will not disturb your work in Morocco — you may do so.

With regard to what you wrote about ... and his health: In my opinion, he should follow the instructions of the doctors with regard to eating, drinking, sleeping, and rest — even rest from diligent study. He should not be stringent in this regard at all. Rambam already ruled (Hilchos Deos 4:1) that [preserving] the body’s health is “of the paths of G‑d.” See also [Tanya,] Iggeres HaTeshuvah, ch. 3. In particular, it is preferable for him to stop his study for a given period so that later he will be able to increase — when he returns to complete health — several times that measure and do so with happiness. It is unnecessary to elaborate on the above.

I will conclude with a blessing for the occasion when your son Shneur Zalman reaches bar-mitzvah (enclosed is a letter to him). May you reap Jewish and chassidishe nachas (satisfaction) from him in all matters.

With blessing,

M. Schneerson