Igrot Kodesh · Letter 9049

By the grace of Hashem,

28 Mar Cheshvan 5726,

Brooklyn, New York,

To Mr. Yossef Dekel[1],

I greet you and bless you,

I have duly received your letter of 6 Cheshvan[2], and you have surely received, already some time ago, my wishes for the new year. Jewish custom has it that one answers a question with a question, and so I shall immediately pose mine, which is as follows. I have not received, for quite a long time now, any publications from the institutions you direct. Yet you have surely published several books and several pamphlets during the months that have just passed. You know that I take an interest in various fields and in everything that is published in general, and in the Holy Tongue* in particular. In any event, these works are placed in the library, where they are useful from various perspectives[3].

On this subject, I have learned that a Siddur*, a Machzor*, a Haggadah*, or all of these together, has been published according to a unified rite for the various communities of the Holy Land*, may it be restored and rebuilt. You are aware of the negative position I have adopted on this matter. Indeed, prayer is the service of Hashem[4] of the heart[5], and there is therefore no cause to intervene in this regard[6]. On the contrary, one must maintain the custom of one's forebears[7]. Nonetheless, if these works have been published, I would be grateful if you would include them in the next shipment. With my respects, my blessing, and thanking you in advance for all of this,