9146 —שאלות על חסידים מספרים, תוכן תהלים, והדרכה בלימוד תורה

B"H, Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5726.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

I acknowledge receipt of your letter... As we approach the festival of Shavuos, the time of the giving of our Torah, which is coming upon us and all Israel for good, I hereby express my blessing in the words of my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe: to receive the Torah with joy and inwardness.

With holiday blessings,
M. Schneersohn

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I acknowledge receipt of your letter from the 9th of Iyar and previous ones... In response to your questions: If there is a delay with the "Chassidim Tell Stories" section, do not delay printing the book about the tzt"z because of this. You can print in its introduction a facsimile of my letter for Pesach this year. It is understood that you should not mention participation by such funds that could arouse undesirable reactions. Regarding contradictions you found in reports of sichos from different times—note this at the end of the book (or in footnotes), as was done in "Chanoch LaNa'ar," second edition. Additions (and changes) you have in reports from 5703 etc.—this is certainly because at that time you received reports from your father-in-law. The printed version is from reports after they were edited by my revered father-in-law, who corrected them in his own handwriting. Obviously, if appropriate, it is worthwhile to improve the book about Admor HaEmtza'i (as was done since then). - The photograph of the synagogue in the Old City should be printed (and it is surprising there was any doubt). The pan included in your letter will be read at the holy resting place.

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Regarding your writing about printed Tehillims where before each psalm there is a summary of its content—this has already been found in very old printed Tehillims and many editions; it is not a recent innovation. For Psalm 86 it says that it contains many prayers etc., and many descriptions of praise for Hakadosh Baruch Hu. It is unclear what seems problematic here; this is simply a straightforward interpretation of these verses from this psalm, which mention wicked people, an assembly of tyrants, haters—which refers to people—and therefore "poor and needy," "day of my trouble," "the grave beneath," etc., and similarly regarding praises to Hashem. And it is understandable that every human painful or unfavorable situation requires a special prayer related to being saved from such matters. That this psalm is considered very serious requests is also clear from its omission from recitation on Shabbos and Yom Tov and also not on days when Tachanun is omitted. The translation and commentary you mention in your letter I do not have with me now; nevertheless, this does not change what was written above—the simple interpretation of this psalm.

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I acknowledge receipt of your letter from the 21st of Iyar. The pan included will be read at the holy resting place... Regarding what you wrote about your spiritual state—consult and act according to the instruction of your mashpia for Chassidus. Matters concerning school—according to instructions from network administration. Regarding parchment where in some places its color differs—follow instructions from an expert doctor. Surely you are keeping up with the three daily study portions common to all: Chumash, Tehillim, Tanya; at least do so from now on.

Summary

The Rebbe guides on publishing clarity, addresses concerns about Psalms summaries as longstanding practice, and encourages steadfastness in daily Torah study while seeking proper advice for spiritual growth.