Circulatory Problems in the Feet

.. I’m surprised that you did not mention whether you have tried taking the appropriate injections or whether you have tried exercising your toes and feet, for though your writing does not make clear exactly what the ailment is, it does seem to be in the area of blood circulation.

At any rate, it would be worthwhile to bring this matter to the attention of the doctor who is treating you. And when one does what one can using natural means, it also serves as a conduit and vessel to that which transcends nature.

Since a Jew’s spirituality and physicality go hand in hand, and our Sages say, “‘the property that was at their feet’1 — which refers to ‘money, whichstands a person on his feet’”2 — it follows that you should increase your charitable giving, particularly to those institutions where children exclusively learn Torah, those being the “feet” upon which the body of Israel stands. And all increases to the spiritual life of the Jew surely enhance his physical life as well.

(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XIX, p. 101)

Inadequate Blood Flow

.. You have surely inquired of Dr. ... regarding your ailment, whether it is connected to your receiving adequate blood-flow to the feet. By this I mean: at times the smaller veins, those that are distant from the heart, do not speedily and adequately enough convey the flow of blood. ...

(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XV, p. 213)

Treatment of Varicose Veins

With regard to [the problem that ... is having with] varicose veins:

It is worth trying rubber stockings, injections and the like.

(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XXIV, p. 357)


.. With regard to that which you write about the health of your wife tichye, [specifically] with regard to her feet — that there are some doctors who are advising surgery:

I am surprised that you do not mention whether you have alreadytried other methods such as wearing [special] stockings, massage, injections and the like. Understandably, before you decide on surgery you should try these measures.

If you have already tried all the above and they have been unsuccessful, then you should make a consultation between two specialists in this field and follow their directive — and [bear in mind that] Torah has granted permission for the healer to heal. May it be G‑d’s will that you be able to convey glad tidings with regard to all the above.

Surely your wife tichye observes the good custom of upstanding Jewish women, of giving tzedakah before lighting the candles every erev Shabbos and erev Yom Tov. It would also be appropriate for you to check the mezuzos in your home.

Surely you observe the three well-known daily lessons that apply to all, those of Chumash, Tehillim and Tanya, as established by my father-in-law, the Rebbe — [if you do not,] at least begin observing them in the future.

(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XIV, p. 87)

Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

.. You write about your wife shetlita’s varicose veins:

It’s very surprising that you did not mention whether the doctor told her to wear rubber hose, and whether he told her that she should not stand or walk for long periods of time. [Also, whether he told her] to take short rests as well. ...

(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XV, p. 268)


Blood Pressure


Lowering One’s Blood Pressure

After a long pause [in which I did not hear from you], it gladdened me to learn that your health situation has improved:

You surely are aware of the physicians’ view — and we observe this to be true as well — that [a calm demeanor and] not becoming irritated or angry is a tried and tested antidote to high blood pressure.

In order to attain this quality of not becoming irritated or angry, it would be appropriate for you to study in depth the Iggeres HaKodesh of the Alter Rebbe (which is the fourth section of Tanya, and is printed and bound with it), Epistle 25.

[That which is stated there about not becoming angry] is also eminently logical, and to briefly elucidate one of the reasons why this is so: We verily observe that getting upset and angry over material matters not only doesn’t lead to anything beneficial, it is also actually detrimental.

(Igros Kodesh, Vol. VII, p. 34)

Relieve the Pressure and Lower Your Blood Pressure

In reply to your letter of the 25th of Iyar and the one previous to it: At an auspicious time, I will mention you in prayer at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory, for good health.

Surely the doctor, whose advice you asked, told you as well that [the level of one’s] blood pressure depends to a considerable extent on the person’s state of mind.

From this it is understood that conduct in keeping with the words of the Baal Shem Tov,3 [that Divine service is to be in a manner of] “... you shall come to its aid”4 — “[to serve G‑d] with the body,” in a manner of joy and gladness of heart, is one of the things that comes with its own simultaneous reward — that of increasing one’s health, as we verily observe.

And how wondrous are the words of the Alter Rebbe in chapter 49 of Tanya: “‘You have chosen us’ ... refers to the material body....” These present days are particularly appropriate for the above, since they are days of preparation to the receiving of the Torah, at which time — as our Sages, of blessed memory, say — all Jews became physically healthy and whole.

(In light of all the above, it is understandable that there is no reason at all to apologize for your writing to me regarding the above, for in addition to the chassidic aphorism “The other’s material welfare is my spirituality,” there is also the added fact that the material body of a Jew is holy, as is also to be understood from the statement in Tanya quoted above.) ...

(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XIII, p. 111)