4544 —השפעה על אחרים, שינוי נוסח, ומנהגי ברכת כהנים

B"H, 20 Tammuz, 5716.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n engaged in tzt"z Mohe Naftali HaKohen

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the bright day of the Festival of Redemption, 13 Tammuz, I was pleased to read about your decision to increase your holy work with greater strength and vigor—both regarding yourself and those you influence, and in your environment in general.

May it be His will that you influence those you guide so that they too become influencers and awaken others in this matter. This is like the well-known saying of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe: a person's completeness is when he has a grandchild; similarly in spiritual matters—when a student has his own student or an influenced person influences another. This is also hinted at by our Sages regarding the virtue of one who merits having a student for his student (Tosefta Eduyot at its end as explained in Aruch entry Abaye and Iggeret Rav Sherira Gaon there).

I hope that by the time you receive this letter your health has improved and that you will share good news about this as well.

Regarding what you wrote about your brother who is reaching bar mitzvah at the end of the year and has an inclination toward the Chabad path, asking whether he should change his customs until now to Nusach Ari etc., and his parents also agree with this question and conduct according to the answer: In my opinion, he should begin from the day he accepts mitzvot (bar mitzvah), with some preparation time beforehand. Note from later authorities* that it is permitted to change from Ashkenaz to Sefard (but not vice versa), from which it is understood that so too from Nusach Sefard to Nusach Ari (but not vice versa) and Nusach Rabbeinu HaZaken. Especially since it is known that Rabbeinu HaZaken [the Baal HaTanya—a halachic authority in esoteric Torah—and Shulchan Aruch—a halachic authority in revealed Torah] instituted his customs and practices even in towns and circles where they previously followed other customs; this is clear.

Regarding what you conclude in your letter about turning one's face during Birkat Kohanim—you should clarify the custom of Anash in Eretz HaKodesh, who surely have a tradition from early Chabad chassidim who came to Eretz HaKodesh already in the days of Admor HaEmtza'i.

Certainly, you made use of the days of the Festival of Redemption as actively as possible and will strive as needed to continue this awakening for the days following. May Hashem grant you success.

Blessings,

In the name of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe shlita,
A. Kuentz
Secretary

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that true spiritual fulfillment comes when one inspires others to become influencers themselves. He addresses changing prayer nusach at bar mitzvah with halachic sources and emphasizes maintaining established Chabad customs while encouraging ongoing inspiration after special occasions.