2355 —המשכת קשרי האב ליובאוויטש ותפילה בנוסח אר"י

B"H, 19 Teves, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I was saddened to hear of the passing of your father, the vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. of blessed memory. May his soul be bound in the bond of life. May the Omnipresent comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. And may it be His will that from now on you know no more sorrow or anguish, G‑d forbid, and only find good henceforth.

Since your father of blessed memory was among those connected to Liubavitch and prayed in Nusach Ari, etc., it is well known that the greatest pleasure for departed souls is when their matters continue even after them. Especially since "a child is a limb of his father," it is most appropriate that you continue as much as possible in these matters—both praying in Nusach Ari and certainly in activities along these lines—which will bring pleasure to your father's soul. This is like our Sages' saying: "Just as his offspring are alive, so too he is alive," through which even what eulogizers eulogize, embalmers embalm, and buriers bury is nullified (Taanis 5b).

With blessing.

P.S. You surely know about the responsa regarding changing nusach (prayer rite), that under certain conditions one may switch to Nusach Ari, but it is extremely difficult to change from Nusach Ari to another nusach. See Responsa Maharshal Orach Chaim siman 35; Divrei Chaim vol. II siman 8 (with answers on what is written in Responsa Chatam Sofer Orach Chaim simanim 15–16); Responsa Beit HaYotzer siman 8 (which answers Divrei Chaim against objections from Mahar"m Shik Orach Chaim siman 43); Responsa Minchas Elazar vol. I siman 11; Shirei HaMincha there vol. II section 3; Pri HaSadeh vol. II.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that continuing a parent's spiritual path—especially maintaining their prayer customs—brings great merit and spiritual joy to their soul above, and encourages steadfastness in these traditions even during times of loss.