“He tortures himself in his fasting and self-denial too much”—emotional letter written entirely by hand and signed by the Ra’avad Rabbi Pinchas Epstein who scolds a sick person to listen to his doctor’s orders
Emotional letter regarding taking care of one’s body and soul, written by hand and signed by Rabbi Epstein, with signature of Rabbi David Jungreis as well. Addressed to Rabbi Avraham ben Yosef Karsila.
“Do not think sad thoughts at all”—the letter was written to a weak person who practiced fasts and self-denial to the detriment of his health. Rav Epstein scolds him and requests that he desist from torturing his body and to begin listening to his doctors’ advice. “Since we have heard that he tortures himself in his fasting and self-denial too much, we the below-signed order him and inform him with every language of request and warning that it is forbidden that he act in this way any longer…he should stop all torture and self-denial.” The letter ends with the instruction that he “lie down and rest on the bed for many hours of the day and not think any sort of sad thoughts at all.”
