4742 —ברכות לשנה החדשה ודיון במקורות רבניים למזונות אשה

B"H, Days of Selichos, 5716.

Brooklyn, NY.

Haraha"g vavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Menashe Klein

Shalom u'Vrachah!

Your letter was received—thank you very much. As we approach the new year that is coming upon us and all of Israel for good and blessing, I hereby express my blessing to you and all yours: may you be inscribed and sealed for a good and sweet year in both material and spiritual matters.

With honor and blessing,
M. Schneersohn

Regarding your note in the margin of your letter about not recalling in Sefer Chochmat Shlomo (by Rabbi Shlomo Kluger) the words of the Ramban (on the Torah) and Ritva (to Kiddushin 22a) that a master is obligated by Torah law to provide sustenance for his wife—even though a wife's sustenance is generally only rabbinic—since it is customary everywhere for a man to support his wife, etc.: I do not have that sefer at hand. However, I have always found difficulty with the reasoning of Ramban and Ritva, because according to them several teachings of our Sages would be nullified. For example: from where do we derive all those important halachos (Berachos 31a)? From where do we know that a mourner is obligated in head covering, etc.? (Moed Katan 15a; see also there 27b). And more.

This was printed in Likkutei Sichos vol. 6 p. 322, and in full in "Nesi'ei Chabad U'Vnei Doram" p. 167 [on that same page your question was also printed; following it is the continuation of the discussion on this topic, which will be published G‑d willing in the next volume].

In Sefer Chochmat Shlomo: he wonders about the position of the poskim that a wife's sustenance is rabbinic from the Gemara Kiddushin 22b which says "and his wife shall go out with him," from which it is derived that a master is obligated to provide sustenance for his wife.

Summary

The Rebbe extends heartfelt blessings for the new year while engaging deeply with complex halachic questions about a husband's obligation to support his wife according to various rabbinic sources. This letter highlights both care for others' well-being and rigorous Torah scholarship.