This letter was addressed to R. Avraham Eliyahu Axelrod, an active communal Rabbi in Baltimore.

B”H, 23 Teves, 5711,
Brooklyn

Greetings and blessings,

I received your letter from the 15th of Teves, the Sunday of [Parshas] Shmos. I was shocked to hear from your letter that your revered father passed away. May G‑d grant that from now onward you not know any pain and aggravation and that you spread only tidings of goodness and kindness at all times.

Enclosed is a receipt for the money sent by the sons of your aunt to commemorate the memory of your father. As per your request, [the money] was given to Merkos L’Inyonei Chinuch....

I hope that in the near future, you will convey good news concerning the amelioration of your wife’s condition: that it continues to improve.

With the blessing that you convey only good tidings,

Menachem Schneerson

Enclosed is the publication for the 24th of Teves1 together with a relevant communal letter.2 Certainly, you will publicize them in an appropriate manner.

With regard to your question as to whether to place two [empty] chairs at a circumcision: This is the wording of the text concerning customs entitled Kesser Shem Tov,3 p. 574, sec. 31: “The custom in Eretz Yisrael, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Amsterdam, and all of the cities of the west4 is to prepare two seats: one for Eliyahu5 and one for the sandek.6 They are positioned next to each other. In London, one chair is placed for both [purposes].”

The text Darchei Chayim VeShalom (a collection of customs of Munkatch), sec. 919, states: “It is explained in [the text] Derech Pekudecha (mitzvas milah, sec. 130) that the chair should be divided and appear as two [seats]: one for the prophet Eliyahu and one for the sandek (see also Rokeiach, sec. 113). Our master7 was not particular about this; [he would] just make sure that it was wide.”

From the Zohar, Vol. I, p. 93a, there is a slight indication that two chairs are necessary, for it speaks of “another chair.” I have not heard a clear [statement] regarding our custom, but I am nearly certain that when I was present at a circumcision (in Warsaw) where my revered father-in-law, the Rebbe, הכ"מ, served as sandek, there was only one chair.8