10418 —על מקוה, לימוד תורה, ומטרת הטבילה

B"H, 3rd of Tammuz, 5732.

Brooklyn, NY.

Haraha"g Haraha"ch iy"a nu"n oseik b'tzt"z etc. Chananya Yom Tov Lipa Shlita

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter with the enclosed final volume of your work Taharas Yom Tov, following the previous volumes—may your strength in Torah be straight in clarifying the words of the Rishonim as angels, especially the great leaders and decisors of Israel, by whose light we walk and from whose waters we drink. Regarding this it is said: 'Turn it over and turn it over.' Especially since in your case this is Torah that comes with work—holy work—great effort in purifying the Jewish people through founding mikvaos. You have merited that it is fulfilled in you: 'You toiled (in this matter) and found (in many places among the settlements of Bnei Yisrael).' May it be G‑d's will that for many years you continue in this with peace of mind and joy and gladness of heart; the merit of the many assists you. And very soon may we merit the fulfillment of the promise as our Sages say at the end of their Mishnah (end of tractate Yoma): 'Mikveh Yisrael Hashem (“The hope/purification of Israel is Hashem”)... And I will sprinkle pure water upon you and you shall be purified... And I will give you a new heart... And you shall dwell in the land which I gave to your forefathers,' in the true and complete redemption through Moshiach Tzidkeinu.

With honor and blessings for success in all matters,

M. Schneersohn

P.S. In accordance with your request in your above-mentioned letter, I am enclosing a response letter from me, even though I am limited by the custom of Beis HaRav as established by my father-in-law regarding letters of recommendation etc.

P.S. Your book Taharas Yom Tov was received.

And regarding a matter relevant to these days: At the beginning of tractate Yoma (page 2b), concerning the contradiction between Magen Avraham Siman 606 Sif Katan 8 about immersion on Erev Yom Kippur because of keri (seminal emission), which applies also to one who sees divided waters etc.—and Magen Avraham Siman 88 that there is no immersion for Ezra's decree for one who sees divided waters—it seems clear from Rabbeinu HaZaken (the Alter Rebbe) (author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch) in his Shulchan HaZahav (Seder Vav Siman Aleph), quoting: 'And there are those who say that this immersion is because of keri so they should be clean and pure on Yom Kippur,' whereas regarding immersion for Ezra's decree—which was so that Torah scholars would not be constantly with their wives like roosters—only this reason (which is also cited by Shulchan Aruch) was quoted by Admor HaZaken in his Shulchan Aruch (there Siman Pei Chet), but not Tur’s reason (lightheadedness). The question raised by Perishah about this reason—see Rambam Hilchos Tefillah Chapter 4 Halacha 4; already noted by Yerushalmi Berachos Chapter 3 Halacha 4. In Mishnah Berurah on Shulchan Aruch there he also adds Tur’s reason. Seemingly this contradicts Shulchan Aruch which changed from Beit Yosef and omitted it but brought Rambam’s reason. Especially since as above there are practical halachic differences.

At the end of tractate Yoma: 'Fortunate are you Israel...' (page 85a onward); see Or HaTorah by Admor HaTzTz Drushei Yom Kippur page 5 on 'Fortunate are you...' At end of tractate (page 87a): Even though they nullified their immersions one should still be careful etc.; see Likkutei Torah (by Admor HaZaken – author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch) Parshas Tavo page 43b: Even though they nullified etc., nevertheless prayer is more accepted with immersion; perhaps a reason for this is because prayer is from Torah etc.; see there.

I now saw that in your book (pages 39, 259) you compared Yerushalmi and Rambam as above.

Summary

The Rebbe praises Rabbi Chananya Yom Tov Lipa’s efforts both in Torah scholarship and practical mitzvah action through mikveh-building, discusses halachic sources about immersion before Yom Kippur, and encourages continued dedication to purifying Am Yisrael until redemption.