Instructions concerning the Lubavitch community in Jerusalem

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The need to share in the work of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch

No. 349

This letter was addressed to R. Azriel Zelig Slonim, one of the leaders of the Lubavitch community in Jerusalem.

B"H, 12 Nissan, 5708

Greetings and blessings,

We begin with a blessing,[343] blessings of Mazal tov for the birth of your grandson, Shalom DovBer, about which you informed me. May it be G-d's will that his parents raise him to Torah study, marriage, and good deeds amidst prosperity in both material and spiritual matters. May you witness this with satisfaction and pleasure.

In response to your letter: a) With regard to the maamarim of the Rebbe Maharash which you possess and which you did not find in my list in his biography, could you inform me of the content of each maamar in several words (as I did in my list)? At that point, it will be possible to see if they are in fact the same [maamarim] mentioned in [my list], but just from a different year. In that instance, the discrepancy will involve only the date of the maamar.

b) According to the instructions of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita: On a day when the Mussaf prayers are recited, a mourner does not lead the services, even in the afternoon and evening service. He should, however, lead the services in the afternoon service on Friday and on the day preceding Rosh Chodesh.

A mourner does not have rights to the recitation of the half-Kaddish [before Barchu at the beginning of the Friday night service,] nor to [that preceding] Barchu [at the conclusion of] that service, nor to the recitation of Ein k'Elokeinu and Aleinu.[344]

c) You mention the story told by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita, concerning the Rebbe Maharash and the Belzer Rebbe (from the sichos delivered in Riga).[345] Is it possible for you to send me a digest of what you recall from the sichos delivered that Sukkos?

Enclosed is the kuntreis for Pesach which was just published. Certainly you will allow others to gain merit by making it available to them.

Wishing you, all the members of your household, and all those who seek our welfare, a kosher and happy Pesach, and to proceed immediately to the true and complete Redemption.

   

Notes:

343. (Back to text) [Tanya, Iggeres HaKodesh, Epistle 1.]

344. (Back to text) [Reciting Kaddish and leading the communal prayers elevates the soul of the departed. Nevertheless there are certain occasions when this is not appropriate. The Rebbe clarifies that a mourner should not recite Kaddish at these times or lead these prayers.]

345. (Back to text) [The story relates that once the Rebbe Maharash came incognito to R. Shalom of Belz. R. Shalom, however, recognized "his spiritual fragrance" and called him to him.]

Instructions concerning the Lubavitch community in Jerusalem

Table of contents

Search this book:

The need to share in the work of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch