453 —עריכת והוצאת כרכי צ"צ, משוב, וספרות חב"ד

B"H, 22 Shevat, 5709.

Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a num etc. Mehor"a Hilvitz

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter, which reached me after some delay: (a) Regarding the tzt"z books published in the United States under my editorship—I have already explained in the supplement to Shu”t Orach Chaim that Shu”t Orach Chaim, Yoreh Deah, Even HaEzer, and novellae on Shas are photostatic reproductions from the first Vilna edition (except for additions at the end of Shu”t Orach Chaim and at the end of the novellae). Shu”t Choshen Mishpat and Gevuras HaChayim Shaar HaMiluim were newly typeset. A large part of what is printed there is being published for the first time from manuscripts of copyists or even from tzt"z’s own handwriting, as noted regarding each item in my notes at the end of Shaar HaMiluim. It is surprising you did not see them.

(b) The item marked as number 11 in the supplement to Shu”t Orach Chaim is known as Piskei Dinim by tzt"z, even though its title page reads—as copied in the supplement—tzt"z and it includes rulings etc. This (as well as item number 10) is now being printed—photographically from the first edition. I added at its end notes by tzt"z that I copied from the handwriting of our master Admor and references indicating which manuscript collection I found each novella or responsum cited in these rulings—as with my notes at the end of Shaar HaMiluim.

(c) Thank you for your comments on typographical errors you found. As for your surprise at so many mistakes given that there are original manuscripts for comparison—you surely know that printing is not done directly from manuscripts. Only a copy of the manuscript is given to typesetters and then to proofreaders. If you consider that several hundred pages were set and proofread based on various different manuscripts—and that printers rush to say "finish your work so as not to delay publication," and if you also saw how many errors were corrected—you would certainly be surprised that six volumes of tzt"z were published at all. After asking forgiveness—not as an excuse but merely as a remark: I do not have access to Encyclopedia Talmudit which you mention in your letter, but based on what I have seen in all currently printed books, I am sure there are also typographical errors there—even though apparently no expense was spared in its printing.

Let it be known: all work on this tzt"z publication—searching for and processing manuscript collections (and if you are involved with manuscripts as you write, look at my notes at the end of Shaar HaMiluim to estimate how much effort this required), comparing them with printed editions, editing supplements at the end of Orach Chaim, indexes in Choshen Mishpat Mishnayot and Shaar HaMiluim etc., even discussions with printers—all this for various reasons fell solely upon me without assistance (except for one pair of rabbis who served as proofreaders). All this was in addition to my regular work at Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch, Machane Israel etc.

(d) Continuing from my previous point—and since you write that you are a grandson of Harav R’ Avraham from Zambin—and he begins with a claim; I too will make a claim: It has been more than two years since this edition was published after decades during which tzt"z’s books were unavailable. Moreover, this edition includes some novellae and responsa by tzt"z being published for the first time. Has anyone expressed joy over this event? Do you know how many copies have spread throughout Eretz Yisrael during this time? In Eretz Yisrael reviews about books—large or small—are printed almost daily. Has even one review appeared about tzt"z (besides one written by a refugee who just arrived in Eretz Yisrael and has not yet settled)? In recent years more than forty books and booklets have been published by Otzar HaChassidim’s editorial board. How many did you read about in Eretz Yisrael’s newspapers? If you belong to literary circles—why did you not draw attention among Eretz Yisrael’s religious public to this (either by writing yourself or encouraging others involved in this field)? Especially as a grandson of R’ Avraham from Zambin—this is truly your own vineyard—while "my vineyard I did not guard." I do not wish to elaborate further since I do not know what became of you after your wanderings from our country previously; therefore I am unsure whether my claims above apply to you—but regardless—the attitude of Anash and their descendants in Eretz Yisrael towards Chabad chassidic literature is strange. It is especially painful lately when "those far away" show increasing interest—researching, seeking out, eager to learn more—while "those close by" engage themselves with many other fields except for Toras haChassidus.

Summary

The Rebbe explains his editorial efforts on publishing tzt"z works despite challenges and limited help. He urges greater recognition and support for spreading Chabad literature among those close to its heritage—not just outsiders showing interest.