5636 —עריכת והוצאת לאור לקוט מנהגי חב"ד

B"H, 15 Menachem Av, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a oseik b'tzt"z Menachem Zev HaLevi Gringlas

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from the 11th of Menachem Av and the previous one, along with their enclosures. I greatly enjoyed the several pages of the compilation of Chabad customs, as well as your practice of leaving space between each section. Since my intention is that whoever has this compilation should not need to search through pamphlets, it is necessary to copy into the compilation also the notes from the pamphlet wherever they exist so that it will be a complete work.

Regarding your question about whether to add—yes, you should add starting from section one, and similarly regarding giving tzedakah before prayer; also note the reference to Likkutei Torah Tevoh (43d), section four zayin. Regarding the other sections, it is questionable whether there is a clearly defined and absolute tradition in these matters; in cases of doubt, it is better to refrain from writing.

I do not know how quickly you are working on this compilation, but obviously if it would be possible to publish it during the upcoming month of Tishrei, now is an opportune time.

Certainly you will also continue with notes on well-known Chassidic customs—even though some contain elements that are not accepted or are even practiced oppositely—nevertheless I enjoyed several references within them. There will be further opportunity in due course to write more about this.

Blessings for good news in all mentioned above.

Summary

The Rebbe guides on compiling Chabad customs: include all relevant notes for clarity and completeness; where tradition is uncertain, omit rather than risk error. He encourages ongoing documentation of Chassidic practices while noting care in distinguishing accepted customs.