4110 —נוסח חב"ד בכתר: אחרית כבראשית מול אחרית כראשית

B"H, 13th of Shevat, 5716.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z baal middos Avraham Sender Naumtsov

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 11th of Shevat and the previous one, in which you raise the matter regarding the Chabad nusach in reciting Keter—whether it should be 'Acharis kiveraishis' (the end as the beginning) and not 'Acharis keraishis' (the end as like the beginning)—see also Shaar HaKolel, which discusses this as well. As for your conclusion that you are hesitant to decide against the version 'Acharis keraishis,' it is surprising, since our master, the Alter Rebbe (who rules in the hidden dimension of Torah)—and Shulchan Aruch (who rules in the revealed dimension of Torah)—have already decided this matter. It is already known from the Mishnah's saying: "You are a great sage for upholding the words of the Sages" (Negaim end of ch. 9). It has also been recorded in Beit Rabbi, a story from earlier chassidim in the name of tzt"z, that when our master, the Alter Rebbe, was clarifying the nusach for his Siddur, he had sixty Siddurim before him.

It is unnecessary for you to apologize for writing to me about such matters as above, since after all it is a Mishnah (ibid.)—if it is to uphold the words of the Sages, then certainly; and clarification of doubts is also included within fulfilling their words.

With blessings for long days and good years—and there is no good but Torah and those who engage in it—as explained in many places on the precision to "engage," not just "to learn."

Summary

The Rebbe affirms that Chabad tradition follows 'Acharis kiveraishis' based on authoritative sources and encourages seeking clarity on such matters. Upholding established rulings and clarifying doubts are integral parts of Torah observance.