ב"ה, י"ז ניסן, תשי"ז
ברוקלין.
האברך נפתלי צבי שי'[1]
שלום וברכה!
במענה על מכתבו מט' ניסן.
בעת רצון אזכיר את כל אלו שכותב אודותם על הציון הק' של כ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר זצוקללה"ה נבג"מ זי"ע.
ולפלא שאינו מזכיר מפעולותיו בהחזקת היהדות והפצת המעינות חוצה, שהרי עי"ז מעוררים סייעתא דשמיא בהמצטרך לאדם וכמבואר באגה"ק לרבנו הזקן בכ"מ, ויה"ר שעכ"פ מכאן להבא יוסיף בפעולותיו האמורות מתאים להכרח השעה.
מ"ש אודות אמירת מזמור למנצח יענך[2] - ע"פ מנהג חב"ד ה"ז תלוי באמירת תחנון וכמובן ממ"ש בסידור רבנו הזקן.
ובשאלתו השניה - מובן שהנהגה בבליטות, ברובא דרובא אינה רצויה[3].
בברכה לבשו"ט בכל האמור.
מפני קדושת המועד לא בא כ"ק אדמו"ר שליט"א על החתום והנני חותם בשמו.
With Hashem’s help, 17 Nissan, 5717
Brooklyn
To the young man Naftali Tzvi, shayichya,
Greetings and blessings
In response to your letter from the 9th of Nissan:
At an auspicious time, I will mention all those you wrote about at the holy resting place of the Rebbe, my father-in-law, of blessed memory.
It is surprising that you made no mention of your efforts in strengthening Judaism and spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus outward. Through such activities, one draws down Divine assistance in one’s personal needs, as explained many times in the Alter Rebbe’s Iggeres HaKodesh. May it be Hashem’s will that from now on, you increase your involvement in these essential efforts, especially given the urgency of the times.
Regarding your question about reciting the psalm Lamnatzeiach Ya’ancha—according to Chabad custom, this depends on whether Tachanun is said, as explained in the Alter Rebbe’s Siddur.
As for your second question—it is understood that conducting oneself in an overly conspicuous manner is, in most cases, not desirable.
With blessings for good news in all the above.
Due to the sanctity of the festival, the Rebbe did not personally sign, and I am signing on his behalf,
The Secretary
B"H, 17 Nissan, 5717.
Brooklyn.
HaAvrech Naftali Tzvi, shayichyeh.
Shalom u'Vrachah!
In response to your letter from the 9th of Nissan: At an auspicious time, I will mention all those you wrote about at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, of blessed memory. It is surprising that you did not mention your activities in strengthening Judaism and spreading the wellsprings outward, for through this one arouses Divine assistance in what a person needs, as explained in many places in the Alter Rebbe's Iggeres HaKodesh. May it be His will that at least from now on you increase these activities as required by the urgency of the times.
Regarding what you wrote about reciting the psalm Lamnatzeiach Ya'ancha—according to Chabad custom this depends on whether Tachanun is said, as is clear from what is written in the Alter Rebbe's Siddur.
As for your second question—it is understood that conduct which stands out conspicuously is, in most cases, not desirable.
With blessings for good news in all the above.
Due to the sanctity of the festival, the Rebbe did not personally sign; I am signing on his behalf.
Summary
The Rebbe teaches that outreach and strengthening Judaism draw down Divine assistance. He guides to follow Chabad customs regarding prayers and advises moderation rather than conspicuousness in religious conduct.