4143 —קריאת שמע בלילה, השמטת תחנון, ונהלי עריכה בסידורים

B"H, Eve of Rosh Chodesh Adar, 5716.

Brooklyn.

Shab"b Haraha"g vaharaha"ch iy"a nu"n Baal Middos Yeshaya HaLevi Horowitz

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After your long silence, I was pleased to receive your letter, and thank you for the good news regarding your family. Regarding your surprise at the error made by the editors who acted improperly, and your subsequent note that in the Alter Rebbe's Siddur for Kriyas Shema Al HaMitah it is written that on Friday night we do not say Viduy or Lamnatzeach B'vo etc., but it does not mention anything regarding Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, or even Yom Tov. However, you do not clarify what you hold against the editors; perhaps you mean what is written there in Kriyas Shema Al HaMitah: on Shabbos and Yom Tov we do not say Viduy. Either way—either they should not have deviated from the language of the Alter Rebbe's Siddur or they should have specified as required: i.e., on Friday night, Yom Tov, Rosh Chodesh, Chanukah, etc.

Even though your claim is correct in itself, one should judge favorably: most siddurim and also the siddur published by these editors are not arranged anew from beginning to end; rather they use already printed siddurim and adjust according to the desired nusach. Therefore they pay attention only to those matters which differ from one nusach to another. Furthermore, not always is attention paid that some siddurim are arranged for all days of the year except for holidays etc., which is common in Nusach Ashkenaz where there are special machzorim for the three festivals etc. Apparently also in this siddur of these editors the nusach was copied photographically from another siddur which itself was copied photographically from a previous siddur; thus it was printed as above...

It is surprising that you do not mention your communal activities—surely your eye is generous towards others since Hashem has granted you influence over others, especially regarding spreading the wellsprings outward as demanded by our holy Nasi zatzal nbg"m zya"a—and especially since this is a mitzvah of our times as known from the story of the Baal Shem Tov: "When your wellsprings will be spread outward—the King Moshiach will come."

Blessings for long life and good years and only good news.

P.S. Surely you meet with Anash from time to time and assist them regarding activities in Kerem Chabad as much as possible.

Regarding what you noted about Sefer Or Ne'erav—you should look into its first edition because it is common that later printings omit certain things; at present I could not obtain this edition. As for Sefer Or Yakar—it seems it has not yet been printed.

Yeshaya: Horowitz.

* The directive of my father-in-law the Rebbe on this matter was copied into Hayom Yom for 28 Adar I 5703: In Kriyas Shema Al HaMitah: "Master of the Universe I forgive..." as well as "Lamnatzeach... B'vo..." are not said on Shabbos or Yom Tov but must be said on other days when Tachnun is recited. At the conclusion of the three parshiyos one says "Emes." "Yismachu Chassidim"—once; "Hiney Mitato"—three times; "Yevarechecha"—three times. In Tikkun Chatzos one does not say "Lamnatzeach... B'vo..." on days when Tachnun is omitted.

Summary

The Rebbe clarifies editorial practices behind omissions in prayer texts and emphasizes judging others favorably while urging active involvement in communal affairs and spreading Chassidus according to previous leaders’ directives.