Professor Astounded at Rebbe’s Correspondence

By COLlive reporter

In a recent lecture, Dr. Marc Shapiro, who holds the chair in Judaic studies at the University of Scranton, spoke about the Rebbe and remarked that the Rebbe spearheaded a revolution. “What he accomplished, in terms of the Jewish world, no one came close,” he said.

Dr. Shapiro, widely considered a prodigious Jewish historian of the 21st century, commented that there are few thinkers who are also doers. After reading the first edition of Dear Rebbe by Dovid Zaklikowski, Dr. Shapiro took note of the wide range of correspondence the Rebbe held with people of all backgrounds.

“I don’t know where the Rebbe found the time,” he said. “He had sometimes had this yechidus going until 4 AM or even later. I don’t know when he found time to learn, to prepare, he is meeting people constantly. He must have only needed two, three hours sleep.”

In an approbation for the new edition of Dear Rebbe, Dr. Shapiro wrote that while the Rebbe’s enormous contribution to Jewish communal life is known to all, “Not as well-known are the personal relationships he had, especially with important individuals who, although they did not identify as Orthodox Jews, nevertheless looked to the Rebbe as a source of guidance.”

From Dear Rebbe, he gleaned how the Rebbe, “as the only the Rebbe could,” was able to meet these individuals where they were, “understand their specific circumstances, and guide them to a deeper connection with their Judaism.”

Noting how Zaklikowski enlightens readers to four personalities who corresponded extensively with the Rebbe, Dr. Shapiro said, “This allows us to appreciate the correspondence and see up close how the Rebbe was able to form important relationships with so many different types of people.”

The new edition of Dear Rebbe, which includes an additional 100 pages and in full color, is now available on HasidicArchives.com. The book is also available for orders in bulk.

Dr. Marc Shapiro on Dear Rebbe