2005 —הזכרת ספרי אדמו"ר הזקן וצ"צ בספרות הלכתית

B"H, 13 Shevat, 5713.

Brooklyn, NY.

Haraha"g vaharaha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"m sitting in judgment, managing his community uprightly etc. Moreinu HaRav Reb David shlita Ovadia Medaberna d'Kehillat Kodesh Tzefrou.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I come here with warm thanks for your precious gift, namely the book "Yismach Levav," rulings and halachic principles by the distinguished rabbi, gaon, chassid TzM"S etc., your father of blessed memory. Although I have not yet had the opportunity to study the book thoroughly, out of affection I have leafed through its pages.

It is surprising that even though in a few isolated places I found mention of the books of Admor HaZaken, author of Tanya, it seems even these are only secondhand references—even though his works have spread throughout the world and he is accepted as a halachic authority within all of Klal Yisrael, without distinction between Chassidim or non-Chassidim.

And obviously I have not yet found references to the works of tzt"z either, even though they are cited many times in Sdei Chemed by the Sephardic chacham who is mentioned several times in Yismach Levav. Here I wish to point out some references for section one (Orach Chaim) from your aforementioned book from our Rebbes Admor HaZaken and tzt"z:

Orach Chaim: Siman 1 – see Shut tzt"z Orach Chaim section 17. Simanim 4–6 – see Seder Birkat HaNehenin printed in the Siddur of Admor HaZaken. End of Siman 8 regarding the measure of k'dei achilat pras – see Shut tzt"z Shaar HaMiluim section 9 (see also my notes in Reshimot to Megillat Eichah by tzt"z p. 61). Simanim 10–12 – see a letter from Admor HaZaken printed in his Siddur before Kabbalat Shabbat, which is referenced in this siman in Yismach Levav p. 10 column 3 incidentally (see also Sefer "Bein Hashmashot" by Rabbi Toktinsky from Jerusalem where many opinions from Rishonim and Acharonim agreeing with Admor Baal HaTanya are brought).

Also note the author's introduction note 3 on Hilchot Talmud Torah by Admor HaZaken chapter 2 note 1. Incidentally regarding Siman 8 on shiurim: Some years ago a book "Shiurei Torah" by Rabbi Avraham Chaim Naeh was published in Jerusalem (and reprinted there in a new edition in 5707), which brings all opinions on halachic measures from Rishonim and Acharonim; also volume two called Shiur Mikveh was published Jerusalem 5711.

Summary

The Rebbe highlights the importance of citing foundational chassidic authorities like Admor HaZaken and tzt"z in halachic works to enrich scholarship and reflect their broad acceptance across Jewish communities.