4803 —התאמת חגורת השבר לכאבים; שלשת השיעורים, פרק התהלים לפי שנותיו ומשניות בעל פה

B"H, 3 Marcheshvan, 5717

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In reply to your letter of 28 Tishrei with the pidyon nefesh, which will be read at an auspicious time at the holy resting place of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, of saintly memory.

In it you write about the hernia^[1], and that some time ago you felt pains, and even after the treatment they did not pass completely.

It is known in such cases that the truss given for a hernia must be adjusted from time to time to changes in the body — as one becomes somewhat heavier, or the reverse, and the like. It is likely that in your case too the pains come from the truss not fitting, and therefore it is worthwhile for a specialist in this field to examine the truss and adjust it as needed.

Surely you know and keep the three shiurim common to every soul^[2], instituted by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, in Chumash, Tehillim and Tanya; at any rate, keep them from now on. Also say every day the chapter of Tehillim corresponding to the number of your years^[3] (from bar mitzvah one begins saying chapter 14, and each following year the next chapter). It is also proper that you study Mishnayos regularly, at least one or two mishnayos every day; and it would be very good to know by heart also some chapters of Mishnayos and at least one chapter of Tanya.

With blessing for length of days and good years, and for Jewish, Chassidic nachas, together with your wife, from all your offspring, may they live.

In the name of the Rebbe, may he live long and well,

Secretary

Notes

[1] The hernia (השבר): treated with a special truss that presses on the site of the hernia; this is the truss discussed next.

[2] The three shiurim common to every soul (שלשת השיעורים השוים לכל נפש): the daily study of Chumash with Rashi (the day's portion of the weekly parshah), saying Tehillim as divided for the days of the month, and the daily portion of Tanya as divided for the days of the year ("Chitas") — instituted by the Previous Rebbe.

[3] The chapter of Tehillim corresponding to the number of your years (הקאפיטעל תהלים המתאים למספר שנותיו): the custom is to say each day the psalm whose number is that of the year one is in (one's age plus one): at bar mitzvah (thirteen) one begins psalm 14, and on each birthday moves to the next.

Summary

This letter suggests that a specialist adjust the truss for his lingering hernia pains to the body's changes. It asks him to keep the three daily shiurim of Chumash, Tehillim and Tanya, to say daily the Tehillim chapter matching his age, to learn Mishnayos regularly and know some by heart, with at least one chapter of Tanya.