Letter from Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – the Rayatz of Lubavitch, with his signature. Riga, 13th Shevat 1939.
Typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz, with his signature "Yosef Yitzchak".

Addressed to "My friend the respected and elevated wealthy… Mr. Sh. Poliak" in Paris. The Rayatz blesses: "I heard that his honor is ill, and I hereby wish to bless him that in the merit of the kindness and charity… G-d will send him a recovery, and strengthen him and fortify him physically and spiritually, may G-d grant him longevity and good years, illuminated with light of charity and kindness".

The present letter was presumably enclosed with the letter the Rayatz sent his daughter Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka and his son-in-law R. Menachem Mendel Schneersohn (future Lubavitcher Rebbe), who lived in Paris at the time, so that they could give it to Mr. Poliak. This is evident from a letter the Rayatz sent them that same day (13th Shevat 1939), in which he writes: "Enclosed is a letter from Mr. Poliak, whose address I don't know, please write on it his address and my address and send it to him by post" (Igrot Kodesh of the Rayatz, part XV, letter 5656).
At the end of the Rayatz's letter to Shneur Zalman Schneershon (of Repki), in Paris, on 13th Iyar 1935, regarding the establishment of an aid committee in Paris to benefit Russian Jewry, the Rayatz writes about Mr. Poliak: "Mr. Poliak is opinionated, and people say that at times he is empathetic and Russian by nature, with good tact one can buy him" (Igrot Kodesh of the Rayatz, part XVII, end of letter 6404).

The present letter was not published in Igrot Kodesh of Rebbe Rayatz.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 28.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Minor stains.