7698 —שאלות על לוח חב"ד, מנהגי ירושלים, והנהגות הלכתיות

B"H, 13 Tammuz, 5721.

Brooklyn.

Havavac"h iy"a nu"n etc. Moshe Meir Schlesinger

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 6th of Tammuz, in which you ask several questions—some relating to the editing of the Chabad Kolel calendar and also to customs of Jerusalem the holy city may it be rebuilt and established. It is understood that in such matters one should speak with those who edit the calendar; however, in order to fulfill your wish at least partially, I am responding to your questions:

Regarding a brit milah on Yom Kippur: if the brit is held outside the synagogue and after the Torah reading—at which point the Torah scroll is returned before people leave the synagogue and there is a significant break until Musaf prayer (which is preceded by Kaddish)—it is correct as you wrote that a psalm should be recited before saying Kaddish. Note that similarly this should be done on every Rosh Chodesh in those synagogues where they put on Tefillin of Rabbeinu Tam and recite Shema after returning the Torah scroll; it is obvious and simple that this should be before Musaf prayer. Even though removing tefillin might not be considered an interruption, putting them on and reciting Shema certainly are.

b) On Motzaei Tisha B'Av, washing hands three times should be done just as on Motzaei Yom Kippur before Havdalah and Kiddush Levanah.

c) Regarding why there is no confession (Vidui) during Ne'ilah prayer among us: both reasons for this practice are explained in Shulchan Aruch; you should clarify what our community's custom is in Eretz HaKodesh about this—locally as above.

At an auspicious time you will be mentioned at the holy resting place of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe zatzal (may his merit protect us), in accordance with what you wrote.

It is my duty (and privilege) to remind you of the necessity for fixed times in studying the inner dimension of Torah—which in our generation has been revealed through Chassidus—with regularity every day and with extra study on Shabbat which is sanctified to G‑d.

Blessings for good news in all mentioned above.

Summary

The Rebbe provides detailed guidance on halachic practices related to communal customs and encourages consistent daily study of Chassidus as essential for spiritual growth.