Ohr Yisrael 22

[Your] honor’s letter of this month just reached me, and I feel it is urgent that I write [you] as [you] requested. The whole purpose of man is to control his spirit, to divert it at will toward wherever his temperament takes him—whether toward sadness, to express the bitter taste of [the loss of] His service, blessed be His name, for it has passed—“the dead are free”; or, to direct it toward calming and relaxing the soul regarding a good man who is on his way to his eternal rest, which is the aspiration of every human being on the face of the earth. It is the fruit of his purpose; “sweet is the sleep of the toiler…” Were it not for the strong words of our Sages, of blessed memory, which confirm and uphold all that we have taught, it would stand to reason that we should stand firm as stone against the natural desire to live a happy life in this world and not complain about the departure of a noble man, with his possessions in his hand—who knows what would be at the end of his struggle, were he to live on?! However, we must follow the words of the Sages, of blessed memory, to go and find a way to maintain concern and grief in our heart. Thus, for everything there is an occasion, and for every experience, a time. Now, when this plague has appeared in the land, may the Merciful One save us, even here: this is the Torah of man, and this is common sense—not to be afraid of [the disease] at all. For what is human life in any case? Who knows if his ways [of future living] would [turn out to] be correct? Also, [be sure] to follow the behavior that the wise doctors instruct us—for we walk in the light of their words according to our religion’s instructions. Halakhah also rules that saving a life overrules all of the Torah’s commandments except for three.—and sustain this mortal life [in order] to be good and do good. Experience taught us in past days, when this plague grew very prevalent, may the Merciful One save us, that anyone who followed the orders of the doctors in his eating, etc., wisely, not foolishly, was not affected by plague or disease, may the Merciful One save us. Thus, since all religious behavior is changed by law at a time like this—one should not be excessively embittered on the holidays. This is the time to observe and serve God in joy, and this will be our strength. Similarly, do not worry and do not complain about the precious soul [of the dead], for it departed from its suffering in this life of vanity to go to the destination of present journey. May his soul be preserved in the bonds of life. May God, May His Name Be Blessed, comfort [you]… May you be blessed with the blessing of mazal tov, and the blessing of years of life and peace.