THE DIRECT APPROACH

Dear Family,

I hope everyone is keeping well.

Mazal Tov to Brian, whose birthday is next week. Wishing you a great and successful year Brian. Thanks to you and Sharon for being such good relatives to our family in California!

Mazal Tov to Pesach for his birthday next week. Wishing you much success with all your projects and good work Pesach. And with much joy!

Mazal Tov to Dovi for your birthday next week. Wishing you hatzlochah rabbah in both gashmius and ruchnius Dov. And Mazal Tov for achieving your driving licence! Michayil el Chayil!

I saw an interesting letter from the Rebbe which reflected 2 of the current themes of this week. Ie:

1. We are now in the month of Iyar which has connotations of HEALING. This is because the Hebrew letters of Iyar are an acronym for the saying ani Hashem rofechah - I am Hashem your Healer
2. This week marked the birthday of the Rebbe Maharash, (the 4th Chabad Rebbe) who was famous for his attitude and saying "Lechatchilah ariber" - To begin with, GO OVER

The Rebbe Maharsh explained that when we come up against an obstacle to a task that we are involved with, or an obstacle to a Mitzvah, or project or good deed which comes our way, or which we are pursuing, we should GO OVER the obstacle in the most direct and transcendant way. While some people propose that the best route would be to go around, or under the problem, I say one has to go OVER IT from the start!.

The letter that I saw was the Rebbe advising someone about an illness problem.

The Rebbe quoted, in response, with the above saying of the Rebbe Maharash, and followed up as follows:

'It would seem that revealed joy should wait until after you are actually healed.

However according to the above-mentioned saying of the Rebbe Maharash, it is reasonable to begin the revealed joy for improved health, even although it is not yet visible.

This itself will hasten the recovery.

Like the saying from the Nesiim of Chabad, "Think good and it will be good."

And definitely when think good is expressed in joyous words and actions. (Igros Kodesh Vol 16, p252)

Wishing everyone a Gut Shabbos, a Gut Chodesh, and good health.