Doctor & Friend

Ask the advice of a doctor who is a friend.

Being a friend makes all the difference.

The Rebbe's advice in innumerable cases.

From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory; words and condensation by Rabbi Tzvi Freeman. Subscribe and get your dose daily. To order Rabbi Freeman’s latest book, Wisdom to Heal the Earth, click here.

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Bringing Heaven Down to Earth »

By Tzvi Freeman

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Rebbe means teacher. Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson is seventh in a prestigious line of chassidic rebbes. Even after his passing, he is known worldwide as simply "The Rebbe"- a Rebbe for any person in the world. This book offers every person a taste of the Rebbe's wisdom, condensed from over 50 years of letters, public talks, private conversations, and written works. Presented in an accessible format.

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Eleanor Skibo Pennsylvania, USA April 19, 2018

To me friendship with my doctor ranks high on the scale, whether it’s my family doctor, who I’ve known forever or my Podiatrist who I see once per year. When you extend your hand to your doctor as a common gesture, you’re also extending your hand in friendship. Friendship in any type of relationship always seems to enhance the communication that’s shared between two people in any relationship with any type of medical person. The patient should feel at ease to share every bit of information with their doctor, making the doctor’s diagnosis much more accurate and complete. Your friendship with a doctor doesn’t mean you’re obligated to invite them to dinner, it just means you’re reaching out to them with a genuine gesture to give them your most honest and truthful answers enhancing the medical procedure. Reply

Raana Iran Tehran April 18, 2018

Who is the doctor here ? Me Reply

Anonymous April 22, 2013

friends when your generation of doctor friends retires, then what you do since medical care has changed so much. You can befriend new doctors, but it is not nearly the same. You get to feel more and more like a number. Reply

Rose DeRenzo Moses Lake WA April 17, 2018

in response to Anonymous:

Truer words were never spoken!!! Reply

Brenda Toronto, Canada April 22, 2013

Treating the Person Unfortunately the sublime qualities of empathy and compassion are not a pre-requisite for practicing Medicine. Studies have shown these qualities to reduce stress and increase pain tolerance in the patient.
Healing is a more complex process, involving mind + body, than merely mechanically using hi-tech. Reply

YY April 18, 2018

in response to Brenda:

It's not suggesting that you should become friends with your doctor. It's saying that if you need medical advice, it's recommended to seek out that of a friend of yours who is a doctor. Being your friend, you can feel safe getting true advice that's good for you as a person. Reply

Anonymous Portland, r April 22, 2013

TERRIFIC DRS I have two doctors who are Jewish and know since 1971. They are great friends and very wise. Reply

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman April 22, 2013

Re: Doctor Advice This advice was a common response from the Rebbe concerning medical issues. Reply

Anonymous April 22, 2013

Doctor advice I'm a doctor and am not sure why anyone would ask the advice of a doctor about anything except medical problems. Being a doctor does not mean one is wise or even a good friend.

I'd seek the advice of a friend first. If they happened to be a doctor or a porter their position would only add to the value of the friendship, and the advice given. Reply

Rivka April 18, 2018

in response to Anonymous:

I imagine that what he was trying to say was that you will listen to things that may be hard (changes you need to make, exercises you need to do etc.) and really take heed if it comes from a place of respect and wishes for your own best health rather than the doctor ticking off his patient list. Reply

JLSK Singapore April 22, 2013

Yes, it is a blessing to have doctors who are you friends. I have few times sought help from my friends who are doctors and they really gave me best advice and help Reply

Jeffrey Tobias Portland , oregon December 14, 2010

I have two Jewish DRS I have 2 Jewish DRS and i feel im more then satisfied. because so many want them and they have no rooms for them. 6 years i had them from kaiser permanente HMO and there number one as charts are all computerized,as prescriptions are done by computers ,no errors ever,been done. Reply

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