The Rebbe's 11th yartzeit is upon us and Chabad.org, the official Chabad website controlled by Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky and Agudas Chasidei Chabad has this advice for readers:
Sending a Letter to the Rebbe
Throughout the years, the Rebbe received hundreds of letters every day, from people of every conceivable background, occupation and faith.
Today people continue to send letters to be placed at the Ohel for the Rebbe's blessing and guidance.
One's letter can be written in any language. Whether referring to one's own self or mentioning someone else's name in a letter, one should always include the name and mother's name (e.g. Isaac the son of Sarah) of both the one(s) who are in need of blessing and the signer. It is preferable to use one's Hebrew name. (It is customary that Gentiles use their father's name.)
You can fax directly to the Ohel at: (718) 723-4444
Or you can use the form below to have one of the Chabad.org staff members personally bring your prayers to the Rebbe’s gravesite on his yahrtzeit.
This is not Jewish theology. Judaism bars contact with the dead. All normative codes of Jewish law allow prayers at a grave – but only if those prayers are directed exclusively to God. The idea is that the resting place of the righteous is holy ground and prayers are more readily heard when uttered there. But the deceased is not to be prayed to, not to be asked for blessings, not to be asked for advice.
Chabad crosses the line between normative Judaism and a schismatic movement when it advocates this type of behavior.
Is Chabad within Judaism? No, not any more.
Praying To The Dead #1. Praying To The Dead #2. Praying To The Dead, #3.