Igrot Kodesh · Letter 5876 — Faith & Bitachon

B"H

26 Cheshvan* 5718

Brooklyn

To the leaders of the Nusach Ari Zal* synagogue "Men of Lubavitch," in Dorchester, and at their head, Mr. Menashe Vinacur, its president, and his colleagues, may Hashem grant you long life,

Greetings and blessings,

I am responding to your letter, in which you ask me about the custom according to which the chazzan* wears a tallis* for the prayers of Minchah* and Maariv*:

A) As you know, according to the customs of Lubavitch, established for several generations, the chazzan* does not wear a tallis* for Maariv* and Minchah*, including on Rosh Hashanah*, and how much more so for Shabbos* and the festivals. Our holy books explain the reason, and some even employ very strong terms on this matter. As you also know, other communities have adopted a different practice, just as there are differences between Chassidim* and those who are not, or between Chassidim* in general on one hand and, on the other, Chabad Chassidim* who adopt the custom of the Ari Zal* in their prayer and in all the practices connected to it.

B) Your synagogue is called "Nusach Ari Zal — Men of Lubavitch," which clearly means that the customs of Lubavitch and of the Ari Zal* have always been adopted there. One must therefore put into practice the teaching of the Sages* according to which: "You shall not alter the customs of your ancestors."

C) Obviously, there must be no dispute among Jews, Heaven forbid, still less in a sacred place, even if the purpose is to maintain a custom such as the one just cited, although it has been adopted for several generations. However, I have good hope and wish to believe that if one explains to your members the reason why the chazzan* does not wear a tallis* for Minchah* and Maariv*, as well as the transmission of this practice by our masters from one generation to the next, no one will wish to go against the Tradition.

D) What has been said concerns only Minchah* and Maariv*, but not Selichos*. For the latter, it is customary in all communities for the chazzan* to wear a tallis*.

The Mishnah* teaches that: "The Holy One, blessed be He, found no vessel capable of containing blessing for Israel other than peace." May Hashem therefore grant that peace reign in your synagogue, in an ever-increasing manner. As we say in the prayer, "the students of the Sages* multiply peace in the world." Each one will therefore do what depends on him in this matter, and Hashem will answer the prayers of all. He will grant the requests, material and spiritual, that are formulated before Him.

I send you my blessing to convey good tidings. You will also tell me that your synagogue is experiencing elevation in prayer, Torah* study, and the giving of Tzedakah*.

With my blessing for all that is good,