In reply to your letter of Sunday in which you describe the state of your health, particularly regarding your eyes:
According to your description, it seems that you are suffering from glaucoma. In such instances it is customary to operate a second time as well, although — understandably — this should take place only after a top eye specialist advises that such an operation is necessary.
There are many such specialists in Eretz Yisrael. Consult with them — and [know that] "the Torah has granted permission for the healer to heal."
Also, it is known that one of the segulos for healing one's eyes is — in light of the saying of our Sages, of blessed memory regarding a person's sight — that one should be scrupulous in making Kiddush and Havdalah over wine.[16]
(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XV, p. 326)
To an individual whose daughter lost her sight as a result of a fall, the Rebbe wrote the following:
In response to your letter of the 2nd of MarCheshvan, in which you write about the health of your daughter shetlita with regard to her eyes, and the opinion of the doctors [that you travel with your daughter to an eye specialist in Boston]:
First of all, before you decide on this trip, it is customary for the attending physician to send to the specialist who will be visited — in this case, the doctor in Boston — a description of the state of the patient's health, as well as the course of treatment.
It is also my understanding that many individuals in the Holy Land consult with medical specialists in Switzerland. It would be advisable for you to do so as well; surely among your friends in Eretz Yisrael you will find those who possess many contacts with physicians in Switzerland.
The actual matter itself, as you describe it in your letter, is also not quite clear: The amount of pressure in the eyes is something that is easily determined; it is thus unclear to me how this matter is in doubt.
Moreover, if this ailment came about suddenly, then it is quite possible that the loss of sight resulted from shock (a psychological trauma) — and you do not mention at all in your letter whether this possibility was investigated.
If this is indeed so, then there are specific manners of healing this [psychological trauma].
Although loss of sight due to psychological trauma is an obvious possibility [and thus may already have been investigated,] nevertheless I found it necessary to draw your attention to this possibility as well.
(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XIV, p. 68)
... Regarding your question about the removal of the cataract:
Since the medical specialist says that there remains some degree of vision in the eye and there is no need to rush to operate, it would be better not to operate [for the time being].
However, it would be appropriate for you to visit the doctor from time to time, or to ask him in advance when he wants to see you again, in order to retest the eye.
May the "Healer of all flesh" direct you in the best possible path to obtain overtly revealed goodness.
(Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XXXVI, p. 315 [17])
In reply to your letter from the 7th of Menachem Av in which you describe your health status, primarily with regard to your eye:
I am not at all pleased by that which you write, that it has already been two years since you have begun to feel something in your eye and nevertheless you have yet to go to the doctor. However, "one does not gripe about the past."
As to the present: It is my opinion that you seek the advice of two eye specialists who specifically specialize in this particular field, and try to get them to treat you with all available medications and forms of treatment prior to suggesting the removal of the eye, G-d forbid.
Be strong in your bitachon that the removal of the eye will not be necessary. I surely need not make you aware that you should be scrupulous in the observance of Kiddush and Havdalah, which — in the words of our Sages, of blessed memory — has an impact on the "luminary of the eyes of man."
Also make an increased effort in your studies in pnimiyus haTorah, in keeping with your present circumstances. I await hearing glad tidings from you.
(Igros Kodesh, Vol. VI, p. 278)
... With regard to an operation for the purpose of removing cataracts, which the doctors are urging you to do:
You write [that you are being urged by] "doctors," in the plural — surely you mean that among them there are at least two eye specialists.
That being so, there is nothing to be overly concerned about, since this type of operation has already become very common; moreover, the precautions that are to be taken [in this surgery] are also known [and the surgeons surely are aware of and follow these precautions].
It also follows that there seems to be no reason for you to travel to another country to have this operation — and [this is so] for many reasons.
As to which physician you should choose:
There is the well-known tale that I heard from my father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory:
There were two candidates to serve as mohel, circumcisor, for one of the grandchildren of the Tzemach Tzedek. One of them was older but well versed in the mystical intentions ("kavanos") associated with the rite of circumcision, while the other was younger, [with a steadier hand, etc.,] but of a much simpler nature.
Upon being asked which of the two should be chosen, the Tzemach Tzedek replied that the younger one be chosen, for the actual incision, [i.e., that the actual bris be performed in the best possible manner,] is of the greatest import.
[So, too, the criterion for the surgeon is not religiosity, etc., but the one who is the better surgeon].
May the A-lmighty send His healing words and effect a complete healing through the medium of the surgeon of your choosing.
(Igros Kodesh, Vol. VII, p. 232)
[This is] in reply to your letter of the 5th of MarCheshvan, in which you notify me that another two eye specialists are of the opinion that the eye should be removed — and that there are two possibilities: either to remove the eye entirely and replace it with a glass eye, or to just remove the pupil:
It seems to me that if this removal is truly necessary, it would be better to completely remove the eye. Nevertheless, with regard to this matter as well, [i.e., whether or not it should be a total removal,] you should consult these doctors and follow their instructions.
May G-d grant you hatzlachah that the operation go well and that you shortly return to good health so that you be able to grow and advance in your study of the Torah, both in the revealed portion of Torah as well as in Chassidus — something that will also serve as a vessel and vehicle to receive G-d's blessings in all matters.
With blessings for good health, both materially and spiritually.
(Igros Kodesh, Vol. VII, p. 26)
[With regard to your daughter's eye problems:]
It would be worthwhile for you to have a consultation with (at least) two or three specialists at Memorial Hospital or at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, [Minnesota,] and follow their instructions.
However, do not agree — if they so counsel — to have her undergo a surgical procedure in which they would sever the optic nerve, which would mean immediate blindness, G-d forbid.
May your daughter have a full and speedy recovery, and may you merit to see her grow to Torah, the marriage canopy and good deeds. ...
(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XXIV, p. 401)
The Rebbe's secretary, Rabbi Leibel Groner, relates that the Rebbe refused to use contact lenses. Similarly, he responded to several Chabad women and girls: "It's not worthwhile." "Don't use them (if possible)." "My opinion against using them is well known."
[19]
According to Rabbi Groner, the Rebbe did not seem to differentiate between "soft" or "hard" lenses.
(Mind Over Matter, p. 344)
Notes:
- (Back to text) See Shabbos 113b and commentary of Rashi; Pirkei deRebbe Eliezer, ch. 20, and commentary of the Radal. See also Iyun Tefillah in Siddur HaShaleim.
- (Back to text) From a letter of the Rebbe, dated 7 Kislev, 5717.
- (Back to text) The following two paragraphs, as well as the next footnote, is from the book, Mind Over Matter, which is a translation of the Hebrew book "Kulam b'Chochmah Asisa." The book features teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe on science, technology and medicine, and was compiled by Rabbi Joseph Ginsburg & Professor Herman Branover. It was edited and translated by Dr. Arnie Gotfryd, Ph.D.
- (Back to text) If the Rebbe ever gave approval at all, it was rare.
One of the Rebbe's secretaries related that he was once present at a discussion between the Rebbe and a renowned ophthalmologist. The doctor discussed a patient of his, a woman who had serious eye problems, and whose only hope (in the doctor's opinion) to assure her continued sight was through contact lenses. Despite all of his explanations, etc., the Rebbe responded: "You will not succeed in getting approval from me. In my opinion, it is not worthwhile for her to use lenses." Obviously, when the patient heard that the Rebbe disapproved, she rejected the notion, and her eyesight improved without them.
On another occasion, the Rebbe showed that same secretary a report from an Israeli newspaper where they wrote about two cases where medical problems were caused by the use of contact lenses. After the secretary read the report, the Rebbe said: "From this you can see that I am correct in my objections."
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