Family Propels New Translation

By COLlive reporter

The second volume of a groundbreaking series translating the Sichos of the Frierdiker Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yizchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch, into English has just been released.

The series, the brainchild of Crown Heights businessman Yossi Malamud, was born after he stumbled on a word in Yiddish he did not know while learning a sichah.

After trying to find out the translation from scholars and Yiddish experts without success, Malamud resolved to undertake the task of translating the works of the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Sichos into English for all to learn and easily understand.

“All that we know about our Chabad roots was told to us by the Frierdiker Rebbe in Yiddish,” Malamud told COLlive. “It is critical that these talks are not forgotten by the next generation.”

The first Sefer, which includes the Previous Rebbe’s historic talks of 5705 (1944-1945), was completed a year ago, and the second was released this week, to the surprise of many, Malamud said.

“When the first book was released, many thought that it would be a one-off volume, and nothing more,” Malamud proudly relates. “Boruch Hashem, the second volume was just released, and we are looking forward to releasing one volume a year in the coming years, until the completion of the entire set representing all of the Sichos of the Frierdiker Rebbe in Yiddish.”

The new sefer, printed on heavy antique paper stock with black leatherette binding, includes the Frierdiker Rebbe’s talks from the year 5700 (1939-1940). A third volume with the talks from the year 5701 is in the works, with a planned release of Pesach 5776.

The talks in this volume, delivered in Riga, New York and Lakewood, provide a veritable symphony of inspirational teachings, relevant pointers to personal growth, portraits of vintage Chassidim and heartwarming narratives.

The series was translated by Uri Kaploun, with the assistance of Rabbi Yonah Avtzon of Sichos in English and the staff at Kehot Publication Society.

The entire project has been underwritten by the Malamud family of Crown Heights, who have been involved in translating Sichos of the Chabad Rabbeim for more than 3 decades.

The new volume is available at www.SIE.org, www.KehotOnline.com and at Jewish bookstores.