4495 —השתמשות בטלית לשליח ציבור במנחה ובמעריב בשבת

B"H, 2nd of Tammuz, 5716. Brooklyn.

To the worshippers of the AriZal-nusach synagogue, Anshei Lubavitch, at Dorchester D', may they live.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter asking about the conduct of the one who leads the prayers for Kabbalat Shabbat and Mincha on Shabbat Kodesh.

We have merited to hear in this matter the directive of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory, and it is transmitted as a tradition in Lubavitch-Chabad customs from generation to generation as follows: The shaliach tzibbur does not wrap himself in a tallith for Mincha or Maariv—not on Shabbat and Yom Tov nor on Rosh Hashanah. Likewise, during weekdays this is not done. And even though in some synagogues there are different customs regarding this matter, it is already well known what our Torah—the Torah of Life—teaches: "Be careful with the customs of your ancestors that are in your hands" (Beitzah 4b), and "Do not change the customs of your ancestors who rest in peace" (Yerushalmi Pesachim ch. 4 halachah 1).

With blessings that your synagogue and study hall should be aligned in every detail with its great name—the AriZal-nusach Anshei Lubavitch.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that maintaining ancestral customs is essential; specifically, Chabad tradition holds that a tallith is not worn by the shaliach tzibbur at Mincha or Maariv on Shabbat or Yom Tov. Synagogue practices should reflect these traditions faithfully.