6572 —מנהגי חב"ד, ספקות, וברכות ללימוד תורה של ילדים

B"H, 29th of Marcheshvan, 5719.

Brooklyn.

Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z Menachem Zev HaLevi.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

We confirm receipt of your letter from the 25th of Cheshvan and your previous ones with their enclosures. Many thanks for your efforts to obtain more records of Chassidic customs, and certainly you will continue in this with Harari"ch and other Anash, provided they are authorities in such traditions. In cases where there is uncertainty about a person or similar matters, it is necessary to note the doubt and its content.

The explanation on Tanya was received in due time—many thanks again.

Regarding your question about our custom not to say the verses of Zochor Bris on Erev Hashanah (and similarly your question about the innovation of saying "Vayomer David el Gad"): The difficulty you mention—I asked my father-in-law, the Rebbe, when he arranged the list of Selichos order. He said that despite the difficulty, this is our custom. The same applies regarding Nesias Kapayim at Ne'ilah; I explicitly heard a clear directive from my father-in-law, the Rebbe, to print this in Likkutei Minhagei Chabad for Aseres Yemei Teshuvah that was published then. He brought a precedent from Lubavitch on this matter. From this it is understood that regarding the year you write about, there was a temporary directive.

At an auspicious time I will mention all those you wrote about at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe—may his merit protect us—each one for what they need as per your letter's content.

On the occasion of your son beginning to study Mikra (Torah Shebikhtav), may it be G‑d's will that from learning Mikra he will grow to be ten years old for Mishnah and thirteen for mitzvos etc., and that you and your wife raise him along with all your children for Torah, marriage, and good deeds with joy and gladness of heart.

Blessings for good news in all mentioned above.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages careful documentation of Chassidic customs—even noting uncertainties—and emphasizes following established practices even when questions arise. He blesses the recipient's son to grow in Torah learning and mitzvos with joy.