2969 —הגייה ספרדית בלימוד חסידות והשפעתה הרוחנית

B"H, 6 Tishrei, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Havavch iy"a nu"n etc. Osek b'tzt"z Moreinu HaRav Avraham Mordechai Shmuel Lider

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 23rd of Elul and the pan enclosed within, in which you write that you study "kamatz alef – a," meaning the vowel and the letters separately as instructed by our holy leaders who exerted themselves in this with self-sacrifice, and you ask how to conduct yourself regarding pronunciation since your class consists of Yemenite children.

Since our Sephardic brethren have been accustomed to this pronunciation for many generations, one after another, there is no need to change their custom in this matter, as the custom of their fathers is in their hands. Certainly, reciting Chasidus with the Sephardic pronunciation that they hold because they received it from their fathers and forefathers—who gave their lives for His Name—will bring pleasure above and have its effect below.

I was pleased to read that you take part in study sessions both in Nigleh and in Chasidus. Surely, in the coming year with G‑d's help you will increase in this, as is well known from our Sages: whoever increases is given more.

With blessings for a good inscription and sealing for a good year.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that maintaining one's ancestral Sephardic pronunciation when studying or reciting Chasidus is proper and spiritually beneficial. Such adherence brings delight above and positive influence below; increasing Torah study brings further blessings.