By COLlive reporter
The letter signed by the Rebbe on 27 Adar 1, 5752, after he returned from the Mikvah and before his last visit to the Ohel, was presented this month in Florida.
Addressed “To All Participants in the Eleventh Annual Dinner of Congregation Levi Yitzchok-Lubavitch, Hallandale, Florida,” the letter was written on Purim Koton and signed on 27 Adar 1.
According to Rabbi Raphael Tennenhaus, Rabbi of the Congregation and Head Shliach of South Broward, “I was called by R’ Benzion Stock a day or two after 27 Adar 1, who informed me that the Rebbe’s secretary, Rabbi Leibel Groner, gave him this letter which was the only letter on the Rebbe’s desk after the Rebbe returned from the Mikvah.
“R’ Benzion made sure we received the letter on time for our Dinner, which was held the following Sunday, 3 Adar 2,” he said.
On Shabbos, 25 Adar 1, Rabbi Tennenhaus was not in New York for the Farbrengen, and Rabbi Avrohom Korf, Head Shliach of Florida, at Rabbi Tennenhaus’ request, received a bottle of Mashke from the Rebbe and made the announcement about the Hallandale Dinner.
A day later, on Sunday, 26 Adar 1, Rabbi Tennenhaus was joined with Mr. Pesach Sholom Sussman to recive a blessing and a dollar for charity from the Rebbe.
Mr. Sussman gave the Rebbe the rendering of the new Shul building in Hallandale, and twice, the Rebbe asked if the picture was a “Matonah” for the Rebbe. The Rebbe gave Brochos for the Dinner , the Building, the Peulos etc, and the next day, signed this letter.
A graphologist who looked at this signature remarked that “one can tell that great effort was made by the Rebbe in signing this letter. Three times the Rebbe had to lift up his hand to complete the signature.”
On the 27 Adar I, the Rebbe suffered a disabling stroke while praying at the gravesite of the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch. On the same date 2 years later, the Rebbe lost consciousness following another stroke.
The Shluchim in South Broward, which now numbers 22, gather each month for the past ten years (on or near Rosh Chodesh) , to study a Maamor from the Rebbe. This month they studies this precious letter.
One of them said: “We all realize the Zchus we have to have received this “last letter” from the Rebbe, but also realize the Achrayus it entails.”
In addition to the content of the letter, which was received by numerous Mosdos in the year 5752, this specific letter reminds the Shluchim of the Mesirus Nefesh required on Shlichus, that was so clearly demonstrated by the Rebbe.
can we see it?
i´d like a copy of it please!!
I hate to put a damper on this but I have a letter for my son’s Bris that was signed on 27 Adar 1, 5752. The letter is dated 26 Adar 1, 5752. I know it was signed on Monday (27 Adar 1) because I asked Rabbi Simpson on Sunday evening if he had a letter for me and he said it was prepared but is first going in to the Rebbe on Monday. I picked up the letter from Rabbi Simpson on Monday about 1/2 hour before the stroke. Either way, Hatzlocho Rabbah!
“A graphologist who looked at this signature remarked that “one can tell that great effort was made by the Rebbe in signing this letter. Three times the Rebbe had to lift up his hand to complete the signature.””
If you look at the Rebbe chassima in the later years you can tell that it was always in four parts. (1. M. 2. Schn 3. eer 4. son)