Book Collection
Its book collection possesses well over 300,000 published volumes, most of them antique and rare. Most of these volumes are in Hebrew and Yiddish, but the collection also includes works written in a variety of other languages. Many of them are seldom-found, first editions of classic jewish works and of significant bibliographic importance.
Manuscript Archive
The bulk of the manuscript collection comprises the original handwritten manuscripts of the Chabad Rebbes spaning seven generations of Chabad Chasidic philosophy.
The remainder of this collection consists of the Chasidic Discourses delivered orally by the Rebbes on festivals or Shabbat, which were reviewed and recorded in writing by Chasidim.
These transcripts were traditionally copied and widely disseminated amongst the Chasidim for further study.
In every generation, this collection grew. The Rebbes sought to acquire manuscripts of the Rebbes of previous generations, or transcripts of their discourses that were not in the collection. Every Rebbe also wrote many of his own discourses, and Chasidim likewise wrote transcripts, copies of which often became part of the Rebbe’s collection. Thus, the collection of manuscripts grew and passed from every Rebbe to his successor.
Today, the library has about 3,000 manuscript volumes, of which over 100 are in the handwriting of the Chabad Rebbes themselves. In addition, the library’s vast archive has about hundreds of thousands of letters and documents of seven generations of Chabad Rebbes, plus thousands of other historic letters and documents.
A special team of scholars, under the auspices of the Lubavitch publishing arm–Kehot Publication Society–annotate these manuscripts and publish them.
Other
In addition to the above main categories, the library also includes:
-The estate of our Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, as well as that of the Rebbe Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak.
-A large archive of extraneous letters, documents, and writings relating to Chabad, chronicling seven generations of Chabad history.
-A collection of sacred artifacts bequeathed by the Chabad Rebbes.
-Various items presented as gifts to our Rebbe during his years of leadership.
-A collection of photographs of Chasidim and Chabad activities submitted to Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak and Rabbi Menachem Mendel during their years of leadership.
-A large collection of international news clippings relating to the Chabad movement and Jewry in general.
-Announcements and publications of all sorts sent to the Rebbe over the years.
The Exhibition Hall
In order to satisfy public demand to view some of the library’s treasures, a special hall has been designated solely for exhibits. Every year or two, the librarians select a specific theme to which the new exhibition is dedicated. Presented at these exhibitions over the years have been books, manuscripts, artifacts, paintings, photographs, etc. relating to each of the Chabad Rebbes and to different areas of Chabad activity. Additionally, materials have been featured relating to other great Jewish leaders, particularly leaders of the general Chasidic movement.
Other displays have included the library’s outstanding collection of Passover Haggadahs, kesubos (marriage contracts), and first editions of Chasidic books published in early generations.
These exhibits attract people of all ages and backgrounds. For those looking to learn and understand Chabad philosophy and its history, it provides the historical context and framework for doing so. For those who appreciate thumbing through the yellowed pages of Jewish history, it provides quite the opportunity. For those looking to connect to seven generations of Chabad Rebbes and Chasidim, heritage and tradition, it distinctly brings their transcendent ideas to life in all their raw glory.
Machne Israel is currently hosting the annual fundraiser in support of the Library.
Please visit TheRebbesLibrary.com to support this treasure of our people.
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