A Cure for Nightmares

By COLlive reporter

A letter the Rebbe wrote in the autumn of 1950 to Rabbi Moshe Hecht, then a young Shliach in Connecticut, was published this week for the first time by Lahak.

In the letter, which will be included in the forthcoming volume of Igrot Kodesh, the Rebbe responds to a request from a woman in Hecht’s community who has repeating nightmares that are causing her much discomfort.

“Surly she says Krias Shmah she’al hamita,” the Rebbe begins and adds, “If they still didn’t stop, she should check the mezuzah on the door of her bedroom.”

Also, before sleeping, the Rebbe adds, she should read a story from Sefer Hazichronos (Lubavitcher Rabbi’s Memoirs) or Sefer Hasichos and should picture in her mind the image of the Frierdiker Rebbe.

“She should do all this at least 4 weeks – even after the (bad) dreams stop.”

DONATING IS THE CURE

In the same letter, dated 4 Tishrei, 5711, the Rebbe responds to Rabbi Hecht’s request to bless a sick young girl.

The Rebbe writes that he mentioned the child for a blessing in the Previous Rebbe’s room and again on Rosh Hashana, then offers a plan for her recovery.

“In addition to mentioning the child in the Rebbe’s, my father-in-law, room… I suggest that you propose to the parents to take upon themselves to dedicate a volume of sichos or maamarim of the Rebbe, my father-in-law, after the child fully recovers, i.e. they should donate $2,500 for this purpose.”

The Rebbe continues: “As proof of their strong trust in G-d that He is the Healer of all ailing sons and daughters of Israel, they should submit now, on account, one dollar, not more, to the Kehot Publication Society.”

The Rebbe then voices his assurance that the child will have a full recovery:
“If they will do this, I am sure that the Rebbe, my father-in-law, will protect her that she be healthy and whole. Indeed, when she grows up she will read the book that was dedicated.”

In an apparent acknowledgment of the parent’s financial situation the Rebbe’s assures them: “If they are incapable at this time to donate this sum, they should not be discouraged; they need only to make a commitment in their souls to give the entire amount for this purpose—and it will be for G-d to find the ways that they should be able to fulfill their good pledge at the time when the blessing of the Rebbe for the girl’s complete recovery will be fulfilled.”
The Rebbe adds a short caveat that the matter should not be publicized.

“If they will make this good commitment, it would be good that they send the Dollar to Kehot before Yom Kippur,” the Rebbe concludes.

It is noteworthy to mention that in the Rebbe’s letters he writes that the ideal way to honor a living person or memorialize a dear departed one is by dedicating the publishing of book of the Rebbe’s Torah.

During the early years, the Rebbe himself not only edited all the Kehot publications, he also raised the funds to cover the costs.

LINKS:

+ Booklet with the letter (PDF)
+ Kehot contact information