5675 —חיזוק בית הכנסת ובהירות הנוסח

B"H, 24 Menachem Av, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Chaim Aba Weil

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter from Erev Shabbos Kodesh and the previous one, and thank G‑d for the good news that throughout the entire week there was already a minyan also for Minchah and Maariv. Certainly, this success will give you courage and energy to further strengthen the shul both spiritually and materially, in both quantity and quality.

Regarding the nusach: although discord is disliked, your question is surprising since, as you yourself write, the congregants told you this is a Lubavitch shul—there should be no doubt which nusach to pray. Perhaps the whole doubt arose because there are not enough Lubavitch siddurim in the shul; if so, this is the responsibility of the synagogue administration and not of the congregants.

It should be noted that it is well known from responsa of later authorities that an individual may change from Nusach Ashkenaz to Nusach Sefard but not vice versa. It is also known that the tzt"z related that his grandfather Admor Rabbeinu HaZaken, before printing his siddur, selected its nusach from sixty different siddurim. From this we understand that this nusach is sifted from many versions. The concept of Shaar HaTefillah (the Gate of Prayer), which includes all gates of prayer as brought in the introduction to Shaar HaKolel in the siddur, is also well known.

In essence, this matter pertains to the rabbi of the shul. I am writing to him about this as well. Since you raised this question in your letter, I am also responding to you. Certainly you will consult with the rabbi. May it be G‑d's will that all prayers be accepted among those of all Israel.

With blessing for good news.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages strengthening communal prayer both spiritually and materially. He clarifies that a Lubavitch shul should use Nusach Ari and emphasizes consulting with rabbinic authority regarding such matters.