412 —הדרכה למנהגי אבלים ומנהגי קדיש

B"H, 29 Tishrei, 5709.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Haraha"ch vaharaha"g vavac"h iy"a nu"m etc. Mehora"a.

I have learned of the tragedy that befell you with the passing of your mother—may her soul be bound in the bond of life—and may the Omnipresent comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

At your request, and in addition to what I sent you during Chol HaMoed Sukkos (to be returned), I am informing you here of several additional practices as instructed by my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita:

The tallis katan is not torn. The Yizkor prayer is recited according to the text in Siddur Torah Or even during the first year. One should not leave the synagogue but should say it in a way that it is not noticeable. Maftir is read every Shabbos for eleven months. One should be called up to the Torah at every opportunity. On Shabbos—both in the morning and at Minchah. The "Kel Malei Rachamim" prayer is not recited during the first year. The one reading from the Torah should study Mishnayos in order. Chapter 24 and Mikvaos after each prayer—for thirty days. Afterwards, only four Mishnayos for a soul are said. Kaddishes: before prayer, at Baruchu, after Shemoneh Esreh; and at U'va L'Tziyon, Shir Shel Yom, Kaveh, Aleinu, Tehillim, Mishnayos—before Minchah Shemoneh Esreh and after it, after Aleinu; Mishnayos—at Baruchu of Maariv, before Shemoneh Esreh and after it, after Aleinu; Mishnayos.

May it soon be fulfilled: "Vehekitsu veranenu shochnei afar" (And those who dwell in the dust will awaken and rejoice) after the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu with the true and complete redemption.

Rabbi Menachem Schneerson

From a copy by secretariat.

Mehora "A: Axelrod.

Additional letters to him—see above Vol II letter 225; and as referenced there in notes; below letters 422 and 469.

Certain practices... Rebbe: Most are based on a letter of consolation written to him by his father-in-law Rebbe Rayatz during mourning for his father Haraha"g Haraha"ch Mekubal etc. Reb Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (see also below letter Adaret). At that time Rebbe Rayatz was staying at a sanatorium in Morristown and was not informed about the passing until after shiva had passed. The letter has not yet been printed and is copied here:

My dear cherished son-in-law Haraha"g Moharar Menachem Mendel shlita: Just now I have learned of the terrible tragedy that befell you with the passing of your father-in-law's esteemed father Haraha"ch vaharaha"g—may his soul be bound in life—and I share deeply in your great sorrow; may the Omnipresent comfort you among all mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

I heard from Chossid Reb Yechiel Heilperin who was among those present in Lubavitch in 5643 (1883), during the year of mourning for my revered father on my revered grandfather's passing: My revered father would study various Mishnayos (and often explained them even regarding their mystical aspects), as well as a page of Gemara with a minyan of ten men; he would read from the Torah even though it was difficult due to his health at that time; on Shabbos he would receive an aliyah for Maftir (there were three minyanim in three places), and at Minchah on Shabbos he would also receive an aliyah.

The number of Kaddishes totals seventeen: before prayer, Baruchu, after Shemoneh Esreh; at U'va L'Tziyon, Shir Shel Yom, Kaveh, Aleinu, Tehillim, Mishnayos—nine at Shacharis; Minchah: before Shemoneh Esreh, after Shemoneh Esreh, Aleinu, Mishnayos—four times; Maariv: Baruchu, after Shemoneh Esreh, Aleinu, Mishnayos—four times. In total seventeen Kaddishes.

During mourning in 5672 (1912) following my grandfather's passing my revered father read from the Torah all thirty days until Pesach while abroad; upon returning to Lubavitch he stopped this practice but later expressed regret for having stopped.

May Hashem strengthen your mother-in-law's health and grant her long good years pleasantly with revealed good; may Hashem strengthen your health and your wife's health with revealed good.

Your loving father-in-law who blesses you with all good always with revealed good.

Summary

This letter provides detailed guidance on mourning practices rooted in Chabad tradition—including Torah readings, Mishnayos study schedules, Kaddish counts—and emphasizes both spiritual continuity and strengthening one's physical health during times of loss.