ב"ה, כ"ד אלול, תשט"ו
ברוקלין.
שלום וברכה!
במענה על מכתבו מי"ז אלול, בו כותב אודות הענין דשינה בסוכה ומעורר ע"ד מנהג איזה מאנ"ש במקומות מיוחדים בזה.
הנה עליו להוודע אצלם אודות היסוד של מנהגם זה, כי בל"ס ידועים הם מאז לשומרי תומ"צ ומדקדקים בהם. וזאת למודעי אשר בענין השינה בסוכה הרבה יש להאריך* ואכ"מ. ונמצאים עוד איזה ענינים עד"ז שאין אפי' ותיקין נוהגים בהם אף שלכאורה הדין מפורש בשו"ע מבלי חולק, ואדרבה עוד יותר מדין השינה בסוכה, ולדוגמא ענין הדלקת נרות חנוכה על פתח ביתו מבחוץ, דמפורש הוא בש"ס ומחבר. וכמו שהקשה בנמוקי או"ח סי' תרע"א.
לפלא שמסתפק במכתבו בקושיא לחוד, ואינו מודיע אף מלה בהנוגע לשיעוריו בתורת הנגלה ובתורת החסידות ולא עוד אלא גם אישתמיטתי' מנהג כל ישראל, ומקורו בראשוני מחוקקי המנהגים מהרי"ל וכו' אשר משנכנס אלול כשכותב אדם אגרת צריך לרמז בו ענין דברכת השנה ומדויל ידו משתלם.[1]
בברכת כתיבה וחתימה טובה,
בשם כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א
*) ומהנקודות בזה: שלילת דבר בזוי בסוכה. ומצטער.
With Hashem's Help, 24th of Elul, 5715
Brooklyn
Shalom U'vracha (Peace and Blessings)!
In response to your letter from the 17th of Elul, in which you write about the issue of sleeping in the sukkah and raise the custom of certain members of Anash in specific places regarding this.
You should inquire from them about the basis of their custom, as they are undoubtedly known to be observant of Torah and mitzvot and meticulous in their practice. It is well known that the topic of sleeping in the sukkah requires extensive elaboration,* though this is not the place to delve into it. There are other similar matters in which even the most scrupulous do not follow, although the law appears clearly in the Shulchan Aruch without any dispute—and even more so than the law of sleeping in the sukkah. For example, the matter of lighting Chanukah candles at the entrance of one's home on the outside, which is explicitly stated in the Talmud and Shulchan Aruch. This issue is raised in Nimukei Orach Chaim, Siman 671.
It is surprising that your letter contains only a question, without any mention regarding your study in Nigleh (the revealed dimension of Torah) and Chassidus. Furthermore, you have omitted the universal Jewish custom, originating from the earliest codifiers of minhagim (customs) like the Maharil, that when writing a letter during the month of Elul, one should hint at the blessing for the new year, and one who stretches out his hand will be compensated.[1]
With blessings for a Kesiva v'Chasima Tova,
In the name of the Rebbe, Shlita
*) One of the key points in this matter is the avoidance of disrespect in the sukkah and the concept of discomfort.
- 1 פסחים כח, א, מדויל ידיה משתלים - מהרמת ידו וממלאכתו משתלם שכרו כשנמצא גנב
B"H, 24th of Elul, 5715. Brooklyn.
Shalom u'Vrachah!
In response to your letter from the 17th of Elul, in which you write about the issue of sleeping in the sukkah and raise the custom of certain members of Anash in specific places regarding this.
You should inquire from them about the basis of their custom, as they are undoubtedly known to be observant of Torah and mitzvot and meticulous in their practice.
It is well known that the topic of sleeping in the sukkah requires extensive elaboration (though this is not the place to delve into it). There are other similar matters in which even the most scrupulous do not follow, although the law appears clearly in Shulchan Aruch without any dispute—and even more so than the law of sleeping in the sukkah. For example: lighting Chanukah candles at the entrance of one's home on the outside, which is explicitly stated in both Talmud and Shulchan Aruch. This issue is raised in Nimukei Orach Chaim, Siman 671.
It is surprising that your letter contains only a question and does not mention anything regarding your study in Nigleh (the revealed dimension of Torah) or Chassidus. Furthermore, you have omitted reference to a universal Jewish custom—originating from early codifiers like Maharil—that when writing a letter during Elul one should hint at a blessing for the new year; "one who stretches out his hand will be compensated."
With blessings for a Kesiva v'Chasima Tova, in the name of the Rebbe, Shlita.
* One key point here: avoiding disrespectful behavior in the sukkah and considering discomfort.
Summary
The Rebbe teaches that longstanding customs should be respectfully investigated rather than dismissed. Even clear halachic rulings may have nuanced practice among careful observers. Letters written during Elul should include blessings for a good year.