2398 —לימוד כתב אשורי לילדים ונהגו בקהילות ישראל

B"H, 8th of Shevat, 5714.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch vavac"h iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Moreinu HaRav David Natan

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I received your letter in due time with good news, and hereby I repeat my blessing on the birth of your grandson, the son of your son Moreinu HaRav Moshe Shimshon. May the parents merit much Chassidishe nachas from him, and may you and your wife derive much pleasure and delight from him and all your descendants for long and good years.

Regarding your question about the Rambam's response concerning the sanctity of Ksav Ashuri: it has been printed in several places, including in an edition of the Rambam published in the United States by the Shulzinger brothers.

As to the matter itself—teaching children the form of Ksav Ashuri letters—after all proofs from Shulchan Aruch Hilchos Talmud Torah etc., if it had been intended in these places to teach Ksav Ashuri, surely this would have become common practice among Jewish communities everywhere; yet such a thing has never been heard of.

Enclosed is the maamar delivered last year on the yahrzeit of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal nishmaso Eden. Certainly you will share it generously to benefit many.

With blessing.

Summary

The Rebbe clarifies that teaching children Ksav Ashuri was never a widespread custom among Jewish communities, implying it was not intended as obligatory. He encourages sharing Chassidic teachings for communal benefit.