7204 —מכתב אל האברך נפתלי הכהן על עיכוב התכתבות ומנהגי חתונה חב"ד

B"H, 25 Shevat, 5720.

Brooklyn.

HaAvrech HaVavac"h Iy"a Nu"n Melachto Melachet Shamayim etc. Naftali HaKohen

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After a very long break, your letter was received, which you began writing on Yud Shevat, the day of the hilulah, and apparently it was sent several days after that. May it be G‑d's will that you continue to share good news, as our Sages ruled: "Good to Heaven, good to people, and good is one who produces fruit," and may this be in a manner of increasing and adding light. Surely from Yud Shevat until the day your letter was sent, several matters have been added, especially until the day your letter was received. Particularly since this year marks two hundred years since the passing (hilulah) of the Baal Shem Tov z"l, and these days between his hilulah and the days of Adar and Purim and afterwards are days which were transformed (as in "in those days at this time," matters of opposite nature) into joy and festival days. May it be G‑d's will that these influences continue for the entire year and in all worldly matters by drawing them into all aspects of one's soul [as is known that creation is divided into world, year, soul], and this suffices.

With blessings for success in your holy work and for good news in all the above.

P.S. Regarding what you wrote about shushvinin (wedding escorts) from the bride's side: if there are no special customs in their family, it is advisable that in addition to shushvinin a married couple should also accompany the groom; also her mother together with her husband should circle him. It is well known that our custom is for the groom under his chuppah to wear a kittel; therefore on Yom Kippur of his wedding year he does not wear a kittel but begins doing so from the following year. Likewise it is understood that under his chuppah as well as at the minchah beforehand when he says Al Chet, from the chuppah onward he should wear a gartel during prayer. It is also surely known that all knots in the groom's clothing (such as a tie or shoelace etc.) are untied; likewise during kiddushin the groom does not carry money, gold or precious stones etc. in his pockets.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages ongoing positive communication and highlights Chabad wedding customs such as wearing a kittel under the chuppah, untying knots in clothing, and specific practices regarding shushvinin. These traditions connect spiritual meaning with practical observance.