Reply To: Relive Hakhel!

Avira,

The Rebbe clearly mentioned the ב”ח several times in the footnotes of the חלק לד sicha (see footnotes 30, 31. Also see 18).

The Rebbe is not arguing with the ב”ח or the פרמ”ג, since he does not say that kavanah is unnecessary, rather that it is not עיקר גוף המצוה (aside from unique cases).

“or was not aware of it”

The Rebbe was aware of the פרמ”ג about למען, and he quotes it several times.

For example:

1) In a letter to Rav Avrohom Chaim Noeh in 5712 (אגרות קודש חלק ה ע’ קי ס”ו, also in לקוטי שיחות חלק כט ע’ 500).

2) לקוטי שיחות חלק לד ע’ 140 footnotes 5, 12, 46 (over there the Rebbe give a lengthy שקו”ט regarding the reason why the Mechaber brings the טעמי המצוות for mitzvas sukka.)