By COLlive reporter
A rare personal letter written by Rabbi Dr. Nissan Mindel OBM, personal secretary and confidant of the Previous Rebbe and the Rebbe, and which will be published in an upcoming book, sheds light on the shallow criticisms of the past on the Rebbe and Chabad.
Dated 14 Iyar 5730, the letter is addressed to an acquaintance of Mindel from England, following a phone conversation in which some grievances heard about the Rebbe were quoted.
The original letter in English, rare in its frankness, was released to COLlive.com by Rabbi Sholom Ber Shapiro of Crown Heights who is working to publish his father-in-law’s vast and precious archive.
In the letter, Dr. Mindel reiterates the notion that it isn’t possible to respond to rumors. He does go on to comment, but asks the recipient not to share it with others so not to satisfy the haters.
“The deliberation of what material to choose out of such a vast selection of archives is not easy,” says Rabbi Schapiro about the new book he is working on now, the first volume of “From the Folders of the Personal Secretary.”
Schapiro is also working on another book, of universal appeal yet geared for children, in addition to the next volume of the “Letters & Spirit” series which was prepared by Dr. Mindel himself (the first volume was printed during his lifetime in 5758/1998).
Rabbi Dr. Mindel, a gifted writer and scholar, served in the capacity of personal secretary to the Rabbeim for over 50 years as well as officer in the central organizations – Agudas Chassidei Chabad (Aguch), Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch and Machne Israel. He was director of publications of Kehot Publication Society.
The book will include documents and photos that have not been available to the public in the past. There will be an emphasis on Dr. Mindel’s work of translating the Tanya to English.
“Of particular interest not only to chassidim but to every reader of the “Folder” book are the divrei Torah, instructions, guidance and letters of the Rebbe that will teach and inspire us all,” Rabbi Schapiro told COLlive.com.
The following is the letter:
I am truly touched by the emmes in this letter.
Thank you
Please keep on giving us these letters, intersting pages etc. We need whatever you can give.
thank you.
the rebbitzen also went to england i believe in the early 60s (61?) rabbi Sudak will know.
rabbi berl junik a”h accompanied the rebbe and rebetzin to the airport by taxi when the rebetzin left for Europe
“in this day and age criticism of the Rebbe is very very rare”
lol, good one.
This is a gr8 public service to organize and print these letters from your FIL. I look forward to the book.
B” H to number 2, it is probable that the son in law has considered your complaint and had instructions from his father in law years after the letter was written. Furthermore at this point in time the letter is not being utilized to defend the Rebbe and finally in this day and age criticism of the Rebbe is very very rare
But why publish a letter that ends with the words “this letter is for your eyes only…” Does this not go against the wishes of Rabbi Mindel (and common sense)?
the rebetzin went to Switzerland and Paris in 1954
Just wow
…Ad Masai?
Where and when did the rebitzen go abroad?
he wasn’t chosen secretary for no reason!
If this Letter specifically asks for it not to be published nor passed around, it seems improper to do so. Morally certainly, Halachikly Maybe. ask your Rav.
Tremendous response. written like a true Chosid.