3044 —מיקום הפרוכת בתוך הארון קודש ושמירת מנהגי בית הכנסת

B"H, 22nd of Marcheshvan, 5715.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Moreinu HaRav Yitzchak Zalman Poizner

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Your father-in-law, Haraha"g v'Haraha"ch etc. HaRav Shlomo Aharon Kazarnovsky, showed me your letter regarding a parochet inside the Aron Kodesh. You raised a point about this and mentioned the dispute between Tosafot and Rashi in Megillah 26b.

However, the disagreement between Rashi and Tosafot is only about the halachic status of the parochet if it is inside the Aron Kodesh; it is not a dispute about reality. On the contrary, from there it is evident that such a practice existed—to hang a parochet inside the Aron Kodesh.

Nevertheless, there is concern nowadays about hanging a parochet inside the Aron Kodesh even if there is also a parochet on the outside. This is because it would be a change from the custom of Bnei Yisrael's synagogues in recent generations. It is well known how particular people were not to alter customs even in matters without any prohibition or similar concerns—especially regarding synagogue customs in this country, which require even greater strengthening.

Since you did not specify to which fund you are sending your check, it has been given to the Lishkat Chashain, which is among the most distinguished levels of tzedakah.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that while there may be sources for hanging a parochet inside the Aron Kodesh, one should avoid changing established synagogue customs—especially those observed in recent generations—even when no prohibition is involved.