6983 —שמירת מנהגים, מנהגי זיכרון, והדפסת קונטרסי חסידות

B"H, 26 Menachem Av, 5719.

Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

This is in response to the letter written by your son-in-law, the vavac"h iy"a nu"n energetic Avraham Yaakov, and as an addition to your previous letter.

a) The good customs you have maintained until now—third meal (Seudah Shlishit), singing zemiros, Maariv on Motzaei Shabbos Kodesh, Melaveh Malka, reciting Tehillim, Shir HaMa'alos, and davening every day—are obviously extremely important to continue for long life and good years. These should be done with true tranquility.

b) Until after the festivals of Tishrei, it is certainly appropriate to be in Detroit. Hopefully your children who live there will arrange themselves so that you can spend the festivals together in a fitting manner.

c) Lighting a ner tamid (eternal candle) until after the first yahrzeit is generally proper. Even more important is that every day some Mishnayos should be learned for the merit of the soul. Also, every weekday morning before davening give eighteen cents to tzedakah for this purpose (and obviously both these things should be without a vow).

d) Regarding what else can be done in this matter: it would be appropriate to print a booklet of Chassidus discourses that will be studied in several places. In this booklet mention should be made of the name of the deceased together with his father's name. Those who study the booklet will feel gratitude toward the one who enabled its printing, which effects an elevation for the soul. If possible, it would be best to print two such booklets—one at your expense and one at your children's expense.

At an auspicious time you and all those you mention will be remembered at the holy resting place of my father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal nbgm zya—a blessing for each according to their needs as described in your letter. May Hashem Yisborach help that you should report good news regarding all of the above.

With blessing,
In the name of the Rebbe shlita,
Secretary

P.S. Enclosed are receipts from Lubavitch institutions to which the tzedakah enclosed in your letter was delivered.

Summary

The Rebbe emphasizes maintaining positive customs for spiritual benefit and long life, suggests meaningful memorial acts such as learning Mishnayos and giving tzedakah daily without a vow, and encourages spreading Chassidus through printed booklets as an elevation for a departed soul.