5751 —הכנה לפני התפלה וחשיבות מנהגי ההכנה שלפני התפלה

B"H, 19 Elul, 5717.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n etc. Avraham HaKohen

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the night before Friday, in which you write about the morning schedule in your group: learning before davening, then preparations, and among them also immersion in the mikveh by most of the members, etc., it is understood that because of this, davening begins later. Now there is a suggestion to start davening in the morning two hours earlier, which would naturally mean that all these matters done until now before davening would no longer take place. The reason for this change is so that prayer will be at the time of Kriat Shema.

It is clear that under no circumstances should one forgo the custom of elders—Chassidim and men of action—regarding preparations before prayer. Especially since this has been your practice for a long time and is observed by many; it therefore attains a sanctity and seriousness as a communal custom. But in truth, there is no need to reach such a situation if one considers the matter of "Hikon Likrat Elokecha" (Prepare to meet your G‑d), as explained at length in works of Mussar, Chassidus, and Kabbalah—and this is obvious.

Regarding the question about the time for Kriat Shema: surely everyone says the small Kriat Shema at its proper time—even if each person says it individually. However, G‑d forbid to neglect Torah study with understanding and willful intent as preparation for davening at dawn—when "the day is short and there is much work," and "the scholars are few and weak." About every Jew King Shlomo said (and in his name): "I am sick with love—for Hashem, His Torah and His mitzvos." As our Sages famously said: Even if I am asleep in exile, my heart is awake—to Hashem, His Torah and His mitzvos.

May Hashem help that your prayer should be with the highest possible preparation—considering what our Sages say: "Prayer stands in place of the Tamid offering," which was an olah (burnt offering), wholly for Hashem. And as is known—the scrutiny and care required for an offering; especially since our Sages say that the morning Tamid atones for sins of the night and the afternoon Tamid for sins of the day. May it be His will that it be fulfilled regarding this as it says: "A burnt offering—a fire-offering—a pleasing aroma to Hashem."

With blessings for a good inscription and sealing—for him and all his friends—to all who revere You and keep Your commandments.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that while fulfilling mitzvot on time is important, one must not neglect established customs of preparation before prayer. These practices carry deep spiritual value—especially when observed communally—and should be preserved alongside timely mitzvah observance.