2023 —חקירת אתרוגי קאלאבריא, דאגות העתקה, ובניית מקוה

B"H, 27 Shevat, 5713.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"g Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Morenu Reb Mordechai Hakohen

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from the 14th of Shevat as well as your previous one; for several reasons my response was delayed until now.

Regarding your request for my opinion: a) On the matter of investigating Calabria etrogim. I am not pleased that doubts were raised for you about this, but since it has already happened, your suggestion to travel there to clarify the situation on site is appropriate (it is known the story we heard from my father-in-law the Rebbe: once on the night of Nittel, someone entered to see the tzt"z and found him studying. He asked: "Rebbe, is it not Nittel tonight?" The tzt"z replied: "Open! Who told you to say that?" Nevertheless, the tzt"z closed his book and stopped learning).

b) Regarding your question about relocating from Italy. This does not seem right to me at all. Since Hashem has granted you the merit to be in a place where you can truly accomplish matters of Judaism in general and especially those connected with Chassidus, it is entirely unclear why you should consider moving or searching in other countries—especially since according to reports the situation is not as it should be in those places you mention. As for your concern about the general world situation: besides not knowing where is truly safer, it seems that in the near future people will only be left with fears alone. Since such fear depends on one's willpower, there is always the option not to fear and instead trust in Hashem's gratuitous kindness—that there will be no cause for distress G‑d forbid.

c) You wrote that where they wish to draw rainwater (for a mikveh), it must be into earth capable of absorbing; you ask if this may be done with cement. It has already been brought in Darkei Teshuvah on Mikvaot 201:206 quoting Shut Imrei Yosher: "It is obvious that using cement makes the channeling valid." (Though further clarification is needed whether cement has changed since then.)

d) I was pleased by what you wrote—that the Avrech... participated and assisted you with the mikveh project. Beyond the matter itself, one should seek every opportunity for closeness to strengthen him in his Judaism and involvement in Chabad matters. I am now writing him about the importance of regularly publishing Chassidus topics—especially about the 'aroma' of Chassidus—and specifically in the local language; surely you too will encourage him likewise.

e) I hope that by the time you receive my letter rain will have fallen so you can use the mikveh. In connection with this it would be worthwhile to again publicize matters of family purity—which are essential anyway—as children's health depends on this, even that of husband and wife etc. May Hashem grant you good news regarding all these matters as well as concerning your wife's health and your own; your efforts to bring Jews closer to their Father in Heaven will surely bring added success both materially and spiritually. As explained at the beginning of Torah Or: through tzedakah one's mind and heart become a thousand times more refined.

f) Surely you received regards from Mr. Zipel; I also sent some coins through someone else. It would be appropriate to hold a farbrengen at an opportune time and inspire participants regarding Judaism generally and Chassidus specifically—may Hashem grant you success.

Summary

The Rebbe guides on clarifying halachic doubts directly at their source, discourages unnecessary relocation when one can positively impact their current community, encourages trust in Hashem over fear, supports strengthening Jewish life locally through action and outreach, and highlights refining oneself through tzedakah.