Igrot Kodesh · Letter 7750 — Community

By the grace of Hashem,

13 Elul* 5721,

Brooklyn,

To the Rav, distinguished Chassid* who fears Hashem, the Rav Azriel (note 1: Rav A. Chaikin, of Copenhagen. See, regarding him, letter no. 7607),

I greet you and bless you,

I am responding to your letter of 9 Elul* and I am surprised by the interruption (note 2: In the correspondence) that has occurred since the receipt of your telegram. But, in any event, it is useless to complain about the past. You are considering wearing, during Chol HaMoed*, empty Tefillin* casings (note 3: Rav Chaikin, whose custom was not to wear Tefillin* during Chol HaMoed*, was the rabbi of a community whose members wore them. See, on this subject, letter no. 1305). Now, a lengthy explanation is found on this subject in the Os Chaim VeShalom*, of the Tzaddik*, the great Rav of Munkatch, at chapter 38, paragraph 1. Such a practice is absolutely not self-evident, even for those who plead in its favor. And, many are those who exclude it, advancing very strong reasons (note 4: The Rebbe* notes at the bottom of the page: "This is, in particular, the case of the Aderes Eliyahu*, of the author of the Mishnas Chassidim*, according to whom the prohibition of doing so is self-evident. The responsa of the Chasam Sofer*, at chapter 127, write: 'There are risks and this has already been proposed by a great authority, who has been contested.' In fact, this means that the Chasam Sofer* himself did not adopt such a practice, contrary to what such a person reported to you. And, the Meassef LeChol HaMachanos* cites an entire group of Decisors who consider that the fact of not wearing Tefillin* in a synagogue where it is done cannot be considered as constituting groups therein. The Tzemach Tzedek* is of the same opinion, in his Piskei Dinim*, Orach Chaim*, at chapter 236").

You are planning to leave Copenhagen soon, perhaps even until the Shabbos* that blesses the month of Cheshvan* (note 5: That is, after all the festivals of Tishrei*). In fact, regarding your rabbinical functions, as is the case with every new development, a certain time is necessary before having a fixed organization, all the more so as it will be necessary to establish a different program for the Yeshivah*, for the Cheder*. It is therefore fitting to remain there for at least a few more months. This is self-evident. With my blessing to give, at the earliest, good tidings of what concerns you personally and of your communal accomplishments, with all the necessary detail, to be inscribed and sealed for a good year,

ז'תשנ

ב"ה, י"ג אלול, תשכ"א
ברוקלין.
הרה"ח אי"א נו"נ וכו' מוה"ר עזריאל שי'

שלום וברכה!

במענה למכתבו מט' אלול, ולפלא ההפסק מעת קבלת המברק שלו, ועכ"פ אין צועקין על העבר.

ולכתבו אודות תפילין בבתים ריקים בקשר עם חוה"מ, האריך בזה בספר אות חיים ושלום להרה"צ הרה"ג כו' ממונקאטש סי' ל"ח סק"א ואין הענין פשוט כלל וכלל אפילו לאלו המצדדים לזה. וכמה ששוללים הענין מטעמים חזקים*

...לכתבו אודות נסיעה מקופנהגן בעתיד הקרוב, ואולי עוד על שבת מברכין חשון.

לכאורה - מצד הענין הרבנות, שככל ענין חדש צריך זמן עד שיסתדרו הענינים בקביעות, ובפרט שקשור יהי' עם סידור (בשינוים) ענין הישיבה והחדר וכו' וכו' עכ"פ חדשים אחדים צריך להיות על אתר. וק"ל.

בברכה לבשו"ט בענינים הפרטים והכללים ובהקדם ובפרטיות הדרושה, ולכוח"ט.

ז'תשנ
מוה"ר עזריאל שי': חייקין, קופנהגן. אגרות נוספות אליו - לעיל ז'תרז, ובהנסמן בהערות שם.

תפילין.. חוה"מ: ראה גם לעיל ח"ה אגרת א'שה.