This letter was sent to R. Yisrael Noach Bilenitzky.

B”H, the first day of Rosh Chodesh Adar II, 5711,
Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

In response to your two (undated) letters and the two enclosed panim:

I will read the pan for your wife and for your grandson at the gravesite of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe. The “tzaddik who has departed and who is to be found in all the worlds more than during his lifetime”1 and even now stands and serves as a faithful shepherd, will certainly arouse mercies for them that they be healed and strengthened in good health.

I am not at all pleased with the fact that the members of the chassidic brotherhood speak in severe terms and exaggerate — both in speech and in writing — any physical ailment or sickness, may G‑d protect us. This is the opposite of the will of our Nasi. On several occasions I heard from my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe — and he would also say publicly — in the name of the Nesiim of Chabad: Tracht gut, vet zain gut, “Think positively and the outcome will be good.”2 If this applies to thought, it certainly applies to speech and, to a greater degree, to writing, for it is considered as deed.

I will write, without committing myself with a vow, to R. Chayim Yehudah (it appears the intent is R. Chayim Yehudah Shmucklerman) in the coming days.

I received a letter from R. Alexander Sender Menkin about his affairs and I answered him.

May G‑d enable you, beginning from today,Rosh Chodesh, to see how everything will be “turned around; the Jews will establish dominion over their enemies.”3 “The Jews” — this refers to the power of faith; see Megillah 13a4 — “will establish dominion” — rule and authority over the body and over the world, and not merely in a superficial manner; see Tanya, ch. 135 — “over their enemies” — transforming the darkness of their enemies to light; see the conclusion of the maamar entitled Havayah Li B’Ozrai in Likkutei Torah.6

With blessings and greetings to all the members of our fellowship,

M. Schneerson