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“The main thing is not to worry... Just as He provided for us until now with His kindness, so He will surely continue providing for us.” Beautiful Handwritten Letter by the Chofetz Chaim to His Wife during Her Journey to Seek Medical Care * Overflowing with heartwarming content and lessons for life, this letter exemplifies the concern, compassion and warm, tender relationship that the Chofetz Chaim shared with his wife, Rebbetzin Fraida Kagan. The letter, written by the holy hand of the Chofetz Chaim in Yiddish, is replete with heartfelt wishes for a refuah shleimah, precise instructions and guidance to guard her health, and inspirational messages of encouragement and chizuk that the Chofetz Chaim wrote to his wife while she was abroad seeking medical care. Letters written by the Chofetz Chaim in Yiddish are exceedingly rare. In the letter, the Chofetz Chaim implores his wife to eat meat or chicken, “regardless of the cost, and for heaven’s sake, for heaven’s sake (the repetition is in the original!), do not skimp on this!” The Chofetz Chaim likewise instructs her to rent a comfortable, attractive apartment, even if it is for a short while: “because living without a proper home for even one week is also bad.” He continues with a list of detailed instructions, going so far as to instruct her to ‘not to carry the pekelach alone, but ask someone for help’. Furthermore, he requests that she asks the doctor to write exactly what she needs to do when she returns home, and updates her on the situation of the children and grandchildren at home. The highlight of this letter is undoubtedly the message, “The main thing is not to worry. Hakadosh Baruch Hu will surely send you a refuah, and He will also send parnassah. Just as He provided for us until now with His kindness, so He will surely continue providing for us in the future.” The Chofetz Chaim signs the letter with the inscription, “From me, your husband, who hopes that the loving Creator will send you a refuah amongst all the Jewish people, ” The margins of the letter contain a personal letter from the Rebbetzin’s daughter Elka Kagan. Radin, undated. Official stationery. Folded page handwritten on 2½ sides. 43 handwritten lines by the Chofetz Chaim. Page Size: 31x21 cm. Polish postage stamp (unstamped). Full translation of the letter: Bezras Hashem, Wednesday Parshas Devarim. To my wife, the modest Mrs. Freida, may she live and prosper. First, I want to inform you that, Boruch Hashem, we are all healthy —myself, Mushke, Aral'e, and Elke. Regarding learning, he is studying a little. We have not received any letters from you; only yesterday did we receive a single postcard. I beg you not to rush coming home, if the doctor says you need to stay for another day, you should do so. May Hashem help it should be for a refuah. Also, you should not skimp on eating—but make sure to eat a piece of meat every day. Surely, the Merciful One will help with this. Also, ask the doctor to write down what you should do at home—if you need to bring water home, and what you are allowed or not allowed to eat. Most importantly, don’t worry. The Merciful One will surely send you a refuah. And He will send us parnasah, just as He has provided for us until now with His kindness, so He surely will continue to provide. Our Yeshie'le, wherever he went, did well there. Shrel'e, Dvoroshel'e, and Faige-Chayel'e are healthy in Katowice. R’ Hirsh is at home. From me, your husband, who hopes that the loving Creator will send you a refuah amongst all the Jewish people, Yisrael Meir HaKohen. ________________________________________ Continuation of letter: I was afraid the letter might get delayed for weeks, so I gave it today to the post so you can have peace of mind. [??] From me, The above. Please write back immediately. Additional lines: After my writing (the above letter), your lengthy letter arrived. I read it carefully and saw that you wrote you don’t have anything to eat. That surprised me—surely there’s a kosher butcher there. If there is no beef available, at least buy a chicken, no matter how much it costs. Don’t skimp on this, for Heaven’s sake—for Heaven’s sake! And if the chicken runs out, buy another one, you should follow this as if it were a prescription— because, chas ve'shaolom if the heart weakens, that’s the worst illness. Additionally, I’m telling you to make sure you find a rental, even if it’s only for a short time, because living without a proper home for even one week is also bad. When moving the pekelach (packages), ask someone to help you; don’t do it alone. The above ________________________________________ From here, a letter from the daughter: I embrace you warmly and will write you a separate letter. From me, your daughter, Elke Kagan.