The name of the person to whom this letter was sent was not released.

ב"ה,
22 Iyar, 5711,
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Greetings and blessings,

I duly received your letter regarding the health of your son … about whom you are worried because of the opinion of one doctor who despaired of helping and thus weakened your hopes for your son’s complete recovery.

You are certainly aware of the statements made by several of our holy Rebbeim, commenting on our Sages’ interpretation1 of the verse2 “He shall provide for healing”: “From here, we learn that license has been granted for a doctor to heal.” [Our Rebbeim have explained] that this alone — healing — is the power and authority that has been granted to a doctor. In particular, since the second doctor does not agree with the pessimistic opinion of the first, there is no reason for you to weaken your positive hopes. This is particularly true in the present era when every day, new remedies and new techniques in the area of healing are being developed.

At a time of favor, when I am at the gravesite of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, I will mention your son for a complete recovery. It is my strong hope that over the course of time you will be able to share good tidings with me about this. It is, however, self-understood that you should not, Heaven forbid, weaken your faith in G‑d that He is the Healer of the sick and there is nothing preventing Him from working salvation, whether a large measure or small measure [of Divine intercession] is required. An increase in the power of trust — on your part and on the part of your wife — will certainly speed the improvement in your son’s health.

It would be appropriate for you to accept upon yourself an increase in Torah study in general and an increase in the study of Chassidus in particular. Similarly, you should give to tzedakah — even small amounts — but in a regular and frequent manner for the merit of your son. I await good tidings from you with regard to the above.

With greetings for your father-in-law, the chassidic leader … and with a special blessing for your son ….