Manuscript written by several copyists (Chabad "bichel"), transcripts of discourses given and written by rebbes of Lubavitch: R. Dov Ber Shneuri – the Mitteler rebbe; R. Menachem Mendel Schneersohn – the Tzemach Tzedek; R. Shmuel Schneersohn (Maharash) and R. Shalom Dov Ber Schneersohn (Rashab). [Belarus? presumably early 1900s, ca. 1904-1911).
Leaves 92-121 contain a transcript from the book Derech Mitzvotecha (the book was first printed in 1911). The discourses of the Maharash in this "bichel" are from 1870-1873. The discourses of the Rashab are from 1890-1906.
This "bichel" was evidently produced during the lifetime of Rebbe Rashab, since he is referred to in several headings as amongst the living.
The contents of the discourse beginning on p. 257a, entitled "Emor, 1904", were printed in Sefer HaMaamarim 1904, based on the notes of the Rashab. In this "bichel" however, the discourse was recorded by an attendee of the discourse, in his own style. It was presumably never published, and contains some content which does not appear in the printed discourse (discourses as delivered in public would vary somewhat from the rebbes' notes). Another unpublished discourse is recorded on p. 283a. This "bichel" may contain other unpublished discourses.
[235] leaves (written on both sides). Lacking 64 leaves (according to manuscript pagination). Unbound leaves (placed in a ring binder). 18.5 cm. Overall good condition. Stains and wear. Minor tears to inner margins, not affecting text. Worming.
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The Chabad "Bichel"
From ca. 1790 onwards, for close to one hundred and fifty years, the Chabad "bichel" was an integral part of Chabad life in Belarus (Reisin). Researcher and bibliographer R. Chaim Lieberman describes the development of the "bichel" and its distribution in one of his essays:
"…Chabad set up a system of copyists or writers ("schreiber" in Chabad terminology). First in Liozna, birthplace of Chabad Chassidut, then in Liadi… and later in Lubavitch… there the copyists sat and transcribed the teachings of the rebbe, which he had given over earlier to his Chassidim…
On Shabbatot and festivals, and occasionally on weekdays as well, the rebbe would deliver discourses to the Chassidim. After Shabbat and Yom Tov, the rebbe would give his own handwritten notes of the discourse to the main copyist. The latter would copy it, return the manuscript to the rebbe and keep the copy, of which he would then make further copies, and sell them to the Chassidim. If he did not manage to supply all the required copies, and the Chassidim were rushing to return to their towns, he would give a copy to the secondary copyist, who would also produce copies and sell them. A Chassid who could not afford to buy a copy would copy it himself.
Upon returning home with a new discourse, a chassid was met by the awaiting townspeople, and was compelled to allow them each to copy the discourse… A Chassid who over the course of time accumulated a significant number of discourses, would have them bound, and thus the "bichel" was born, and in this way, over the years, Chassidim would amass a library of Chassidic discourses…" (Ohel Rachel, III, p. 26).
Zalman Shazar, third president of the State of Israel, who came from a Chabad home, dedicated a special chapter in his memoirs to his father's library, and writes: "High up on the bookcase was a special bundle, containing unbound booklets of Dach (Divrei Elohim Chaim). These were booklets of Chassidic teachings, written by copyists, which my grandfather would bring back from the court of the Rebbe in Liadi, or the 'choizer' every year on his traditional visit, and my grandfather would study them with my father, while I sat and listened. How engraved in my heart were those glowing, gem-like letters..." (Kochvei Boker, pp. 9-16).