A group of medical professionals, journalists and thinkers gathered last month at the Chabad Belgravia Community Centre in London for the launch of “A Time to Heal,” Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson’s rendering of the response of the Lubavitcher Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory—to tragedy and suffering.
“The approach of the book resonates very deeply with the work that we do,” stated Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie’s Centres, a string of 20 facilities that provide practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer, and their family and friends. “People with cancer often face and describe issues such as aloneness, loss of control and isolation. The book gives some practical tools on how to help in these situations.”
Although the book is firmly rooted in Jewish tradition, Lee has sent a copy to the library of every Maggie’s Centre. She noted that “it transcends that. You do not need to be Jewish to read this book, and gain insights and feel supported and helped.”
Lee, who is not Jewish, found particular wisdom in some of the chapters discussed by Dr. Mark Glaser at the book launch, which drew about 100 people. In fact, Kalmenson’s book is dedicated to him.
A short film about the Rebbe was also shown at the event.
Health Benefits of Positivity
Glaser—emeritus chief of cancer services at Imperial College and honorary consultant in clinical oncology at Imperial College hospitals, who taught at Harvard and Yale universities, and was a research fellow at Stanford University—told of the time when he was in Palo Alto, Calif., and had purchased a ticket to see the Rebbe, and then missed his flight because of a sports match. He said he now feels as if he has gotten to know the Rebbe—whom he referred to as “undoubtedly one of the greatest rabbis of the 20th century”—through Kalmenson and his teachings.
He then went on to demonstrate that he had seen many of the book’s teachings reflected in his clinical work. At times, when seeing patients, he would use cryptic codes to document their emotional well-being, level of optimism, relationship with their spouse and other external factors. He reported that the patients who rated higher in those areas tended to heal at a better rate.
Glaser saw it as a direct parallel to the Rebbe’s oft-repeated teaching: “Think good, and it will be good”—power in the idea that good thoughts have tangible results.
“The doctor is a messenger,” said Glaser, citing another teaching of the book. “We have a right to diagnose and cure. But no one has the right to give an absolute prognosis. We were granted permission to heal, but never to cause despair. Today, we are looking at patients at the molecular level, at the genetic level, seeing things we have never seen before. We turn to G‑d, and hope to cure every one of the people who come before us and are unwell.
“This book has been written with diligence, authority and exemplary literary style. It will be an enabler for those who need to change their lives and get through their tribulations to be granted a perfect healing for mind, body and soul,” said Glaser, turning to the Kalmenson. “I thank you with all my heart for this book.”
An interview with the author can be read here.
“A Time to Heal” can be purchased here.
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