Advice regarding possible medical treatment for ulcer: First attempt to improve your peace of mind and diet; Auspicious time of Adar; Preemptive cure in content of letter
B. H. 5th of Shevat, 5736
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Rabbi [Herbert Wiener]
Greeting and Blessing:
. . . P. S . After writing the above, I have just received your telephone message about the medical treatment suggested by your doctors, and your request for my advise.
It is well known that in a case of ulcer a very important factor is peace of mind; and this is mainly up to the patient, I therefore suggest that you should strengthen your Bitochon (real trust) in G-d, the Healer of All Flesh Who Works Wondrously. And the way to do it is by reviewing appropriate texts on this subject, such as, for example, Shaar Habitochon in lbn Pakuda's Duties of the Heart, and the like, and reflect deeply on this subject.
In addition, it is also well known that a suitable diet is helpful in such a condition, and I believe helpful in all cases, the difference being only in degree.
Hence, inasmuch as the condition has been with you for some time, I suggest that you should first give a try to the above two remedies and see to what extend they can relieve the situation.
In any case, the auspicious month of Adar is only three weeks away, and in the meantime you can observe the results of the two measures suggested above.
To ease your anxiety sooner, this letter is being dispatched by S. D.
Incidentally, the content of the above letter, though dictated before your telephone message, may well be the "pre-emptive cure". For everything is by Hashgocho Protis, and among human beings - even non-Jews - there is something that is called "premonition," or, what our Sages describe as אבינ המ עדי אלו אבינ.
The main body of the letter, before the P.S. quoted here. There the Rebbe discusses at length the call to every individual to fulfill their G-d given mission in this world, and especially someone in a position of influence.
