Q. I was asked to give “oiskumft” or a recommendation for a proposed shiduch on a friend I know well. My friend suffered some years ago from anorexia eating disease, but it is now cured.
Do I have to inform the probable chosson of the condition my friend had? I’m afraid to spoil a good shiduch for her.
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that, since you were asked to provide information on your friend, you have to tell the truth. However, you have to clearly stress that she has been cured and is now fine. (See article in NY Times – July 29, 2009 quoting Dr. Kathryn Zerbe, professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health and Science University and a longtime expert on eating disorders, saying: I do believe that people can be healed, even after a lifetime of struggle with an (anorexia) eating disorder).
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit’a