By COLlive reporter
A new volume in the book series of the Rebbe‘s letters sheds light on a bountiful year in the Rebbe’s life and public activities for world Jewry.
The Jewish year of 5737 (1976-1977) began with the fresh memory of the daring military raid –and miraculous one, as the Rebbe pointed out– at Entebbe Airport in Uganda to free the Jewish and Israeli hostages from terrorists.
Besides for his public talks at farbrengens and private encounters, the Rebbe addressed the spiritual aspects of this great miracle by the soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces.
Entebbe is just one of the topics discussed by the Rebbe in the 275 letters written that year that were now published in the new volume 32 of the Igros Kodesh – holy letters personally written by the Rebbe or dictated to his secretaries.
During the year 5737, the Rebbe further developed the growing international network of Chabad-Lubavitch institutions and activities to bring a renewal to Jewish life and Torah learning.
These efforts included the battle against the controversial Mihu Yehudi law in Israel, strengthening the newly established Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad in Israel and opening Yagdil Torah institutions in Jerusalem and Crown Heights to publish the Rebbes’ teachings.
In 5737, the Rebbe embarked on an historic printing of Hemshech Tov Reish Ayin Beis, one of the single longest works of Chabad philosophy. Chassidim worldwide joined by donating a single dollar to print these mamaarim said by the Rebbe Rashab, Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn.
In one letter printed in the new volume, students of Beth Rivkah academy for teachers in Yerres, France, ask to participate as well. The Rebbe writes to the principal Rabbi Yaakov Schlamms gives permission to those that are “fitting and are interested in it.”
Others letters deal with the nomination of Rabbi Simcha Bunim Alter as the new Rebbe of Ger, the printing and distribution of the Ahavas Yisroel booklet and the instruction to “Ase Lecha Rav” – that each one appoint him and herself a spiritual guide.
The 400 pages in the new volume, published by Kehot Publication Society, include copies of the Rebbe’s handwritten answers, an overview, an index of topics, institutions and people referred to in the letters.
Credited with its publishing are the following rabbis: Sholom Ber Levine, Chaim Shaul Brook, Yisroel Shimon Kalmenson, Yitzchok Wilhelm, Eliezer Zaklikowsky, Menashe Laufer, Pesach Schmerling, Yisroel Zilberstrom, Moshe Zakliskowky, Mendy Greenfield and Chaim Eliezer Twersky and Mordechai Stambler.
The publishers ask that anyone with letters or answers from the Rebbe from the years following 5737 or even before it should please contact [email protected] and share them for the benefit of the public.
Yes, Hebrew and Yiddish are super important and something I’m trying to pull off. But having more English available as well helps me today.
I shopped for seforim on hey teivais at the kehos store. It was amazing to see young and old doing the rebbe’s call to buy books. It was so organized and well run. They are also putting out so many books every year it’s amazing.
Big shkoiyach to those in charge whoever they are!
First and for most one must give credit where credit is due. As someone who is trying to be a chabad chosid in these trying times without being influenced by the world around us, and to keep our hashkafa etc. It sometimes bothers me when I see articles written from a very liberal viewpoint that doesn’t fit with our views. This article is not that way and I hope we’ll continue seeing such articles. Another point that was not included in this article is that there are many letters of the Rebbe in the year 5737 as well as other… Read more »
Can we have more ENGLISH Igros Kodesh “I will write it in their hearts”, for the so many who do not know hebrew?