3215 —שיחה עם הרב זוין על הלכה, תניא, והוצאת ספרי תורה

B"H, 22 Teves, 5715. Brooklyn.

Haraha"g vaharaha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z tznam"s etc. Moharshi.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

It is surprising that you have not yet received the booklet of the index for Torah Or. In any case, I have requested that it be sent immediately even if it was already sent previously.

Regarding what you wrote about Shulchan Aruch of our Rebbe the Alter Rebbe, siman 36 section 2 concerning the writing of the "hei" in the Divine Name: For several months I have been trying to clarify the tradition among our scribes—both for tefillin and for Torah scrolls—and so far I have not found a clear answer because there is no definite knowledge about this. Perhaps you know if among Anash in Eretz HaKodesh there is such a tradition? Although it seems that even among them there are traditions that do not match what I heard from my revered father-in-law—the Previous Rebbe—on other matters (as printed in Likkutei Minhagim), which I heard from my revered father-in-law and later received a letter from Reb Chaim Naeh z"l that Anash in Eretz HaKodesh did not practice this until now. Perhaps it is also so regarding the writing of letters. In any case, it is worthwhile to collect all information so at least something will come out of it—a small splinter (Sanhedrin 7b and Rashi there: "that a splinter of the beam will reach us," meaning if we err the punishment will be shared among us all and thus lessened). Perhaps you can inform me whom to contact about this in Eretz HaKodesh.

I was pleased by your note that volume six of the Encyclopedia Talmudit has already appeared. Surely, as you wrote, it will reach me these days. I hope—based on information here—that volume seven is already at print. May G‑d's desire succeed in your hand to increase (quantity) Torah and glorify it (quality), for this applies to learning even simple matters—even those taught to children (Rambam Hilchot Talmud Torah end ch. 2: "One who wishes to become a teacher... his neighbors cannot protest... as it says 'the L‑rd desires for His righteousness' sake; He will magnify Torah and make it glorious'"). This extends up to learning the loftiest levels of Torah (Chullin 66b). May this be with proper health, and may you continue fulfilling your responsibilities in Kerem Chabad.

With blessings for success in all the above,

M. Schneersohn

Regarding your comment on Tanya end ch. 29: "And from where did their faith return... Moshe Rabbeinu did not show them any sign... rather when they heard harsh words... 'and the people mourned' (Bamidbar 14:37) 'and those men died by plague'—so we see that the cause for their faith returning was harsh speech and nothing else—as stated by the Alter Rebbe—explicitly in Torah: 'And Moshe spoke these words... and they mourned.' Not that he showed them anything further. Verses 36–38 are parenthetical (to conclude telling what happened with the spies themselves). As written in Targum Yonatan ben Uziel this occurred on seven Elul; so too at end of Megillat Taanit; halacha follows Tur Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim siman 580 (though their version says seventeen Elul). See Bach there who struggles with Beit Yosef etc.; also according to Beit Yosef these verses recount what happened in Elul—long after their faith returned—for they deal with their deaths etc., not just a mixing of language."

Thus one must say these are parenthetical remarks. In Meah Shearim p. Nun Aleph it seems even the spies themselves said 'Here we are and we shall go up,' since there is no such word regarding spies—see there.

To conclude with good: There is a chance that Shulchan Aruch HaRav will be published via facsimile; there is room for additional pages separately. Perhaps you have short notes or similar material relevant to this? Of course anything printed will cite its source by name.

What is being done regarding your work Ahalei Yosef?

Summary

The Rebbe encourages careful preservation of halachic traditions, collaboration among scholars for accuracy, and continued efforts in publishing Torah works while always attributing sources properly.