Igrot Kodesh · Letter 185 — Pesach Preparations, Tallit Katan Custom, and Chassidic Traditions

By the grace of Hashem,

Thursday, 1 Nissan 5705,

To the honorable young man, Hashem-fearing chassid,* Rav M. Z.,[1]

I greet you and bless you,

I reply to your letter:

A) The arrangements for the Seder* for the coming Pesach* will of course depend on my father-in-law's[2] health, the Rebbe Shlita.* For the moment, no definitive decision can be made on the matter.

B) The corners of the Tallit Katan* must also be lined with silk — such is the custom in the Rebbe's family.

C) I will convey the request for a blessing as you asked me.

D) For the yeshivot,* the price of the Haggadah* is thirty cents. In addition, the usual discount is accorded to you. They were shipped yesterday.

E) Concerning the Rebbe's discourses, I already told you that before sending them to the printer, my father-in-law the Rebbe* would make many additions to them. This is why their printing is delayed.

I will conclude with words of Torah. My father-in-law, the Rebbe Shlita,* recounted, regarding your second question, that the Rebbe*[3] had the custom of sewing, between the silk and the fabric of the Tallit Katan,* a piece of silk from the garments of the Alter Rebbe* and the Tzemach Tzedek.* In general, this was placed in the rear right corner, near the holes.[4]

With my blessing of immediate teshuvah,* immediate redemption,* and asking you to convey my regards to all our friends,

M. Schneerson,

Director of the Executive Committee[5]

Notes:

(1) Rav Menachem Zeev Gringlass, of Montreal.
(2) See the beginning of letter no. 173.
(3) The Rebbe Rashab,* his father.
(4) Through which pass the tzitzit* threads.
(5) Of Machaneh Israel.*