10310 —עידוד להדפיס תלמוד ירושלמי ולשפר מהדורות הסידור

B"H, 25 Teves, 5732.

Brooklyn, NY.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

With much thanks I hereby acknowledge receipt of the Siddur Derech HaChaim Avodat Yisrael, two volumes. My gratitude is twofold: firstly, for your attention in sending me the above; secondly, because this gives me hope that despite the interruption you will restore the crown to its former glory—meaning the tradition of your printing house will return to being involved in sacred work: continuing to print and publish holy books, more precisely books explaining our Torah, a Torah of life and truth.

Based on our Sages' saying (and it is especially emphasized here that they are called Sages even though they are also our teachers), "He who begins a mitzvah is told to complete it," I wish to encourage you again to complete the series of foundational books of our Torah—especially publishing the Jerusalem Talmud. There is a pressing need for this both for the public—the community of learners—and for yourselves and your merit. It should be published with excellence until it matches the Rambam and Bavli Talmud etc., with internal excellence—adding notes and insights from great scholars of Israel—in addition to external quality which is also an instruction from our Torah of life. Especially as mentioned above: since you have already begun with actual publication—Tanach Mikraot Gedolot, Bavli Talmud (though here you skipped Jerusalem Talmud), Rambam, Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah etc.

I am aware that you have already published a facsimile edition of the Jerusalem Talmud (Karatashin print), but surely it is unnecessary to stress that this edition has value mainly bibliographically or at most as a comparison with later editions regarding textual variants etc., but certainly as a study book for anyone interested in G‑d's Torah to learn and teach it—all subsequent editions surpass it due to added commentaries and explanations up through the Vilna edition with all its additions. My main intent regarding all these additions is clear; perhaps it is possible also to include in full the commentary Ahavat Tzion V'Yerushalayim by Rabbi Bartner.

A few years ago was also published a book by Rabbi Rabinowitz on the Jerusalem Talmud—he is the father of merchant Rabinowitz from Boston (for now I have forgotten both his personal name and his book's title but this can easily be clarified).

Regarding whether my request about publishing the Jerusalem Talmud will help—I repeat my request again and I have every right to ask because I am convinced this is both a public merit and necessity, especially in recent years when study of this Shas has increased.

May it be G‑d's will that I hear good news that you have actually begun publishing as above—and with speed appropriate to such a great project—and nothing stands in the way of willpower; public merit assists you.

With respect and blessings generally, and with special blessings for success in all above matters and good health,

M. Schneersohn

P.S. According to ancient Jewish custom and based on the well-known saying that it's easier to be a critic than an author—and mainly since this concerns many people—I wish to express my surprise that while there is external excellence (beautification before Him through mitzvot) in your edition of Siddur Avodat Yisrael, there was insufficient attention paid regarding several content details as was done regarding precision in photographic reproduction etc.

For example: I did not find sufficient attention given to noting which nusach (text version) of siddur was used (apparently at the time/place of its author there was no need since there was uniform practice regarding nusach etc., unlike today). Also apparently due to lack of sufficient attention to content overall—the addition "Derech HaChaim" by Rabbi Melisa is called a "commentary," but it is merely a collection of laws not specifically related to this siddur or even prayerbooks generally. There are further points like these but since I hope you will ultimately publish the Jerusalem Talmud—it would not be appropriate now to elaborate on details that do not add positively regarding my above request.

This letter was sent urgently—to emphasize all the more how much I value publishing the Jerusalem Talmud—which too should be urgent; better sooner than later.

Summary

The Rebbe encourages prioritizing publication of foundational Torah texts—especially an improved edition of Jerusalem Talmud—and stresses both external beauty and internal scholarly quality in holy books. He also highlights careful attention needed when editing siddurim for accuracy and clarity.