By COLlive reporter
A book about the life of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in English will be available for purchase a month before Gimmel Tammuz 5774, the 20th yahrtzeit anniversary.
HarperWave, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, notified that the release date for “Rebbe – The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History” will be June 10, 2014.
It was written by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of some of the bestselling books on Judaism of the past two decades and named by Talk Magazine as one of the 50 best speakers in the United States.
While Telushkin’s own interaction with the Rebbe isn’t known, his father Shlomo Telushkin served for nearly 50 years as an accountant for both the Rebbe and the Frierdiker Rebbe.
In the book, Telushkin offers his perspective on the source of the Rebbe’s charisma and the influence he continues to exert on people’s lives. He basis it on stories he gathered and talks and letters he compiled.
“If today the observant community is vibrant, and if many non-observant Jews are choosing to lead more active Jewish lives, it is, in large measure, because of the work done by the Rebbe,” Telushkin once wrote.
The description of the book reads:
“The inspiring story of the prominent yet deeply modest leader who rebuilt a dwindling post-holocaust community into the most influential Jewish organization in the world, the late Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
“From a small synagogue In Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the late Rebbe Schneerson impacted the policies of U.S. presidents and politicians, counseled some of our greatest thinkers, and spread his teachings of love and righteousness to the far corners of the world.
“An ambassador for Jews globally, his role was unprecedented within a fragmented religion, comprised of diverse, often divided, sects. Many Jews—especially those involved in Chabad—believed that the Rebbe was the messiah while he was still alive.
“Drawn from the Rebbe’s private correspondence, “Rebbe” is a rich and illuminating portrait of this remarkable man who was a devoted spiritual leader and tireless counselor; controversial advocate for women’s rights and community openness; and an accomplished scholar fluent in dozens of languages.
“Joseph Telushkin illuminates the Rebbe’s rich private life and chronicles his achievements, from his close bond with his congregants to his influence on presidents, including Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. Throughout, Telushkin pays tribute to the Rebbe’s legacy—his teachings, of love, education, and respect—which have become engrained in millions of Jews and non-Jews alike.”
List price for the long-awaited 624-page hardcover, already ranked #48 on Amazon.com’s category of Judaism, is $29.99. Amazon is taking pre-orders for $21.77 here.
VIDEO: Rabbi Joseph Telushkin reflects on what we can all learn and apply in our own lives from various stories about the Rebbe’s unique approach to leadership.
I think he is conservadox but not an enemy of chabad so this should be a n interesting out of the box bo0k on the Rebbe.
Looking forward
Telushkin’s speech just strengthened by belief in the Rebbe
as the M”HM. I hope his book will do the same! I am looking
foward to reading it.
Probably is going to be a great book. Success! This is contrary to Zev Brenner on ‘Talkline’ who said: “Most Jews think ‘The Messiah’ is going to come from the living. …True ‘The Rebbe’ was a great man. He made Chabad Houses, wrote a lot, was admired by thousands.”
Mr. Brenner is either ignorant or it’s his Y.H.
The accounting of ‘The Rebbe’s’ greatness is almost uncountable. He is a prophet as well. (This Mr. Brenner forgot. to mention.)
There were a few things in his much earlier book, “Jewish Literacy,” that were not in line with the teachings of Chabad Chassidus, but not in a criticizing or demeaning way.
Let’s hope that this book is a kiddush Hashem in every way!
Bought one!
it’s Slavin
incorrect
Mya Hashem bless you Rabbi Telushkin,its about time a book like this to be printed,TY zalman shmotkin something tells me you helped
Its reb leibel gorner, the rebbes mazkir.
I personally have no hope in this book. Vos farshteit er shoin…
He’s great!