5998 —דיווחים, ניגון ד' בבות, וקדיש

B"H, 20 Teves, 5718. Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Yisrael Zusman

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After a long pause, your letter from the 15th of Teves was received, in which you write very briefly regarding the farbrengen and the shiurim being learned. It is surprising that you wrote so briefly about something that could bring nachas ruach (pleasure), and as I have already written to several of Anash, this too is included in the mitzvah of VeAhavta L'Rei'acha Kamocha (Love your fellow as yourself).

Regarding what you wrote about the niggun of Arba Bavos (the Four Stanzas), it is known when it was sung, as explained in many places and apparently also in the introduction to Sefer HaNigunim. That is to say, in these times at chassidic farbrengens it is certainly sung.

Regarding your question whether there was room to sing it at that particular farbrengen you mention: this depends on the feeling of those present—if they felt at this farbrengen something akin to the feeling at those set times mentioned in those talks. For example, it is customary to sing it at the conclusion of the Yud-Beis Tammuz farbrengen since it is a continuation of the geulah (redemption) of Yud-Tes Kislev and similar occasions. However, since feelings are subjective, it is difficult to bring proof from one person to another—especially from elders to youth or vice versa—and one could say that such a decision depends on the 'touchstone' about which my father-in-law, the Rebbe Rayatz, told a story (based on the well-known story about Reb Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl; see Hayom Yom).

Regarding your question about Kaddish after U'va L'Tzion: if ten men did not remain (for Kaddish), it is brought as a ruling (Shulchan Aruch 55) and so is practiced in such cases—that Kaddish may be said even if ten are not present when this Kaddish follows directly after something for which there were ten present in shul.

Blessings for good news in both general and personal matters—which are interdependent—and with proper health.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages detailed reporting on communal activities as part of Ahavas Yisrael, explains that singing special niggunim depends on heartfelt connection rather than rigid rules, and clarifies halachic practice for Kaddish when a minyan disperses during prayers.