1227 —סדר שהחיינו ולישב בסוכה בליל השני של סוכות

B"H, 12 Tishrei, 5712.

Brooklyn.

Haravach vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Menachem Man

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received your letter from Parshas Haazinu, in which you ask why in the Siddur according to the Nusach of Admor HaZaken it says that also on the second night of Sukkos one should first recite Leshev BaSukkah and then Shehecheyanu, whereas our custom here is that on the second night we first recite Shehecheyanu and then Leshev BaSukkah.

Answer: Our customs are based on what my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal, related about how his father (the Rebbe Maharash) conducted himself, and also wrote so in his notes in the Siddur he used for davening (see further in the Siddur Torah Or printed in New York, 5701, in the notes p. 233, s.v. Kiddush LeShalosh Regalim). In general you surely know that our Rebbeim were very precise about customs; only not always—as they themselves practiced—was it publicized. Therefore chassidim did not know about it, leading to misunderstandings. This is a merit of our generation—as my father-in-law, the Rebbe, has often said—that things previously undisclosed have now been revealed and permission was given to reveal them. Likewise, treasures of stories from our holy Rebbeim zatzal have now been revealed—many already printed in sichos that have been published, and many more are ready for print.

I was pleased to read in your letter that you know your chassidic lineage—and even more so that you feel how to value this and also conduct yourself accordingly. I wish you long days and good years—simply healthy long years—and also as per its inner meaning: that they should be filled with good things; "and there is no good but Torah and mitzvos," etc.

Surely you keep to the study sessions my father-in-law established: to learn every day a portion of Chumash with Rashi (from that week's parsha), to say a daily portion of Tehillim (as Tehillim is divided by days of the month), and also a Tanya session—as arranged in Moreh Shiur—which are vessels for drawing down blessing and success in all matters.

With blessing.

What is written in the Siddur that on the second night it should be as on the first night—this was inserted by the compiler and not by the Alter Rebbe. On the contrary: In Shulchan Aruch Admor HaZaken (Siman 483:1), the Alter Rebbe added two words "on the first night," from which the Rebbe (Maharash) learns that on the second night this is not the law. As written in those notes above.

Summary

The letter clarifies that Chabad custom is to recite Shehecheyanu before Leshev BaSukkah on Sukkos' second night based on precise traditions from previous Rebbeim—not merely printed siddur instructions—and encourages maintaining daily study sessions as vessels for blessing.