Comparative religion or interfaith projects are against halacha; Even presenting contrasts causes confusion and serves no beneficial purpose; Have tefillin Checked
By the Grace of G-d
4th of Shevat, 5739
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr....
Calif.
Greeting and Blessing:
This is to acknowledge receipt of your letter of... If you will let me know your full Hebrew name, together with your mother's Hebrew name, as is customary, I will remember you in prayer.
With regard to the project about which you write, and whether Chabad-Lubavitch would participate in some way - I trust you know the position of the Halacha in regard to comparative religion and interfaith in whatever form this may be. You will, therefore, understand that in my opinion it is not proper to involve anything connected with Yiddishkeit and our Torah, Toras Chaim, in a project such as you describe in your letter.
Even if the intention would be to present a contrast, it would not be proper, inasmuch as two contrasting things suggest some connection or something that may be mutual, whereas in this case it would be completely out of place and only cause confusion and misunderstanding. Therefore, if you would take my advice, I see no benefit whatever in such a project, and whatever benefit may be expected it would be incomparable to ignoring it altogether.
I do not wish to elaborate further on this matter for various reasons, but the central point is that it is clear that one should not contribute in any way whatever to any negative phenomena, and most certainly in the area of religion.
I suggest that you should have your Tefillin, as well as Mezuzoth checked, to make sure they are Kosher, within the general framework of advancement in all matters of Yiddishkeit in the everyday life, which, though a must for its own sake, also widens the channels to receive G-d’s blessings in all needs.
With blessing,
