Online Auction 30 - Special Chabad Auction in Honor of the Yahrzeit of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn and in Honor of the Chag HaGeulah of Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn - the Rayatz of Lubavitch
Letter from Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – the Rayatz of Lubavitch, with his signature. [Rostov-on-Don], Wednesday 18th Tevet 1923.
Handwritten by a scribe (by the secretary R. Elchanan – Chonye – Marozov), concluding with several words handwritten by Rebbe Rayatz, with his full signature – "Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn".
Addressed to his relative R. Azriel Zelig Slonim – "My upright, respected and elevated relative", who was planning, several months after his wedding, to establish a soft drink plant in Jerusalem for his livelihood. Upon receiving this letter, R. Azriel Zelig abandoned these plans and set out on a worldwide mission on behalf of the Rayatz, to disseminate Judaism and bring distant Jews closer to the wellsprings of Chassidut.
At the beginning of the letter, the Rayatz reminds R. Azriel Zelig Slonim of the time he spent studying in the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Lubavitch, when he was a household member of his father Rebbe Rashab and ate at the rebbe's table on Shabbat and festivals: "Behold, you had the merit of being in his holy presence, and that is your advantage over your fellow Temimim in the Holy Land… you also had the merit of hearing holy teachings, since that is what man is about, to act and accomplish to raise the prestige of Torah and glorify it, through the service of the heart which is prayer, with true efforts to banish and exterminate any negative character trait from his heart, and to acquire good character traits such as love for his fellow etc"; the Rayatz therefore instructs him further in the letter, that in the merit of the Chassidic teachings he absorbed from the Rashab and the impression it made on his soul and character traits, he must go out and disseminate Chassidut: "And with this strength of yours, you must act and accomplish… to arouse the hearts of our fellow Chassidim and bring them closer to true worship of G-d. May G-d come to your assistance".
At the end of the letter, the Rayatz added in his own handwriting: "One who seeks his wellbeing and blesses him", and signed with his full signature: "Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn".
R. Azriel Zelig Slonim (1897-1971), a leading Chabad activist, member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and director of Kollel Chabad. He was the founder of Irgun N'shei UBnos Chabad and the Beit Chanah institution, and helped establish Shikun Chabad in Jerusalem.
R. Azriel Zelig Slonim was born in Hebron to R. Ze'ev Dov, grandson of Rebbetzin Menuchah Rachel Slonim, daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe of Lubavitch. He was orphaned at a young age of his father, and at the age of 15, in 1913, he travelled to study in the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Lubavitch. R. Azriel Zelig was a household member of Rebbe Rashab, and ate at his table on Shabbat and festivals. In 1918, following the civil war, he went to study in the Kherson branch of Tomchei Temimim, in Ukraine. In Kherson, he drew close to the renowned Chassid Reb Itche der Masmid and with his encouragement, began going round the Jewish colonies in the Kherson district, giving classes on Chassidut. Amongst others, he was active in the Nahar Tov colony (Nagartav, Bereznegovatoye County), R. Itche's town. He would travel from time to time for the festivals to the Rashab in Rostov, and after the latter's passing, he continued travelling to his son and successor, the Rayatz. After Pesach 1922, he returned to Eretz Israel and settled in Jerusalem. He was appointed mashpia in the Tzemach Tzedek synagogue in the Old City, and married Mrs. Chaya Feigel (daughter of his sister Sheinah Mushka and her husband R. Moshe Shlomo Kahana Shapira, descendant of the Megaleh Amukot). In 1924, with the encouragement and instructions of the Rayatz (in the present letter), he began serving as emissary and travelled throughout the world. During the course of this mission, he raised funds, disseminated Judaism and Chassidut, and worked in outreach. He reached the most far-flung communities, and worked on establishing Mikvaot, appointing rabbis and shochetim and setting up classes on Torah and Chassidut. In 1924, he took part in founding Agudas Chassidei Chabad in America and Canada. At the end of one of his missions, the Rayatz commented: "Zelig is capable of making things happen". Upon concluding his mission in Australia in 1940, R. Azriel Zelig returned to Jerusalem and devoted himself to Chabad communities in Eretz Israel. He was the trustee of Chabad property in Eretz Israel, and maintained continuous correspondence with Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah wife of the Rashab and Rebbetzin Nechama Dina wife of the Rayatz. He passed away on Chol HaMoed Sukkot and was buried on Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem. Many of his descendants serve as Chabad Shlichim and rabbis in communities throughout the world.
The letter was published in Igrot Kodesh of the Rayatz (vol. I, letter 167), based on a picture of this letter appearing in the book Migdal Oz (p. 18).
[1] leaf. 21 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Filing holes, tears and open tears, repaired with paper (not affecting text). Stains.
Letter signed by Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn – the Rayatz of Lubavitch. Otwosk (Otwock), 17th Tevet 1939.
Typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbe Rayatz, with his signature "Yosef Yitzchak" and the addition of several words in his handwriting.
Addressed to his relative R. Azriel Zelig Slonim – "My relative, my respected friend… of holy lineage and noble character", on the occasion of his trip in 1939 on behalf of the Rayatz to Australia and New Zealand (this was R. Azriel Zelig's last major trip, at the end of which he returned to Eretz Israel in 1940, during WWII. In an accompanying letter from the secretary of the Rayatz, R. Yechezkel Feigin, the present letter is defined as "internal". Migdal Oz, p. 29).
At the beginning of the letter, the Rayatz writes: "I enjoyed hearing about the Yat (19th) Kislev celebrations, and may the merit of the subject of the rejoicing protect all those who study and apply, who follow his ways and observe his days of rejoicing"; and asks R. Azriel Zelig, who would shortly be travelling to Australia, to inform him of the state and standing of Chabad Chassidim there: "And every place he reaches successfully, he should investigate and seek out, and if he finds some of our friends, our fellow Chassidim, or descendants of Chassidim… he should inquire as to their standing and spiritual state, and arouse them to straighten their Torah observance… setting times for Torah study and studying Dach… and you know how much the concerns of our fellow chassidim and descendants of Chassidim mean to me, and I seek their true good".
Further in the letter, the Rayatz relates of a conversation he held in summer 1896 with his father the Rashab about the Baal HaTanya's way of signing letters, as the latter would sometimes conclude "[he] who seeks your good" and sometimes "[he] who seeks your true good": "And my father [Rashab] explained… that one's good refers to his private good… while his true good refers to all future generations"; and continues by quoting another explanation he heard from his father the Rashab while they were travelling in the winter 1917 from Rostov to Moscow – that one's "good" means the good one does for a Jew in material matters, while "true good" means the good one does for a Jew in spiritual matters. The Rayatz concludes his letter with a blessing: "May G-d strengthen your health and the health of your family members, and give you livelihood in abundance and serenity in material and spiritual matters".
At the end of the letter, the Rayatz added in his own handwriting the words "in material and spiritual matters".
R. Azriel Zelig Slonim (1897-1971), a leading Chabad activist, member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and director of Kollel Chabad. He was the founder of Irgun N'shei UBnos Chabad and the Beit Chanah institution, and helped establish Shikun Chabad in Jerusalem.
R. Azriel Zelig Slonim was born in Hebron to R. Ze'ev Dov, grandson of Rebbetzin Menuchah Rachel Slonim, daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe of Lubavitch. He was orphaned at a young age of his father, and at the age of 15, in 1913, he travelled to study in the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Lubavitch. R. Azriel Zelig was a household member of Rebbe Rashab, and ate at his table on Shabbat and festivals. In 1918, following the civil war, he went to study in the Kherson branch of Tomchei Temimim, in Ukraine. In Kherson, he drew close to the renowned Chassid Reb Itche der Masmid and with his encouragement, began going round the Jewish colonies in the Kherson district, giving classes on Chassidut. Amongst others, he was active in the Nahar Tov colony (Nagartav, Bereznegovatoye County), R. Itche's town. He would travel from time to time for the festivals to the Rashab in Rostov, and after the latter's passing, he continued travelling to his son and successor, the Rayatz. After Pesach 1922, he returned to Eretz Israel and settled in Jerusalem. He was appointed mashpia in the Tzemach Tzedek synagogue in the Old City, and married Mrs. Chaya Feigel (daughter of his sister Sheinah Mushka and her husband R. Moshe Shlomo Kahana Shapira, descendant of the Megaleh Amukot). In 1924, with the encouragement and instructions of the Rayatz, he began serving as emissary and travelled throughout the world. During this mission, he raised funds, disseminated Judaism and Chassidut, and worked in outreach. He reached the most far-flung communities, and worked on establishing Mikvaot, appointing rabbis and shochetim and setting up classes on Torah and Chassidut. In 1924, he took part in founding Agudas Chassidei Chabad in America and Canada. At the end of one of his missions, the Rayatz commented: "Zelig is capable of making things happen". Upon concluding his mission in Australia in 1940, R. Azriel Zelig returned to Jerusalem and devoted himself to Chabad communities in Eretz Israel. He was the trustee of Chabad property in Eretz Israel, and maintained continuous correspondence with Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah wife of the Rashab and Rebbetzin Nechama Dina wife of the Rayatz. He passed away on Chol HaMoed Sukkot and was buried on Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem. Many of his descendants serve as Chabad Shlichim and rabbis in communities throughout the world.
The letter was published in Igrot Kodesh of the Rayatz (vol. IV, letter 1084), based on a picture of the present letter appearing in the book Migdal Oz (p. 29).
[1] leaf, official stationery. 29 cm. Good-fair condition. Filing holes. Folding marks and creases. Tears to margins and folding marks (slightly affecting text), repaired in part with tape on verso. Stains and minor wear.
Letter (approx. 7 lines) handwritten and signed by Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneershon, wife of Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch. Monday, Parashat Ekev [presumably Av 1923]. Yiddish.
Addressed to her relative R. Azriel Zelig Slonim, presumably following his wedding on 10th Nissan 1923, while he was planning of opening a soft-drink plant in Jerusalem for his livelihood (R. Azriel Zelig abandoned this plan following a letter from the Rayatz on 18th Tevet 1924, in which the latter encouraged him to travel throughout the world to disseminate Judaism and bring our distant brethren close to Chassidut. See item 25).
In her letter, the Rebbetzin writes: "…I am very happy that you have started learning the job", and blesses him: "May G-d grant you success in it, so that you may provide for yourself and your family, in serenity and tranquility when you come the Holy Land". She concludes her letter: "Be healthy, your relative who seeks your wellbeing wholeheartedly always".
Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneersohn, wife of Rebbe Rashab and mother of Rebbe Rayatz. Born in 1860 to Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak of Ovruch, son of the Tzemach Tzedek. Her mother was the daughter of R. Yaakov Yisrael of Cherkasy, son-in-law of the Mitteler Rebbe. In 1965, her betrothal to the Rashab was celebrated in the home of the grandfather, the Tzemach Tzedek (the groom and bride were both five years old); the couple were wed ten years later, in 1875. She stood beside her husband and assisted him in all communal matters. She was very active on behalf of the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva, and established an international women's organization in support of the students of the boys' schools of Lubavitch. In 1940, she escaped occupied Warsaw for the United States together with her only son Rebbe Rayatz. She passed away on 13th Shevat 1942, and was buried in New York. The Beit Sarah network of girls' schools was named after her.
R. Azriel Zelig Slonim (1897-1971), a leading Chabad activist, member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and director of Kollel Chabad. He was the founder of Irgun N'shei UBnos Chabad and the Beit Chanah institution, and helped establish Shikun Chabad in Jerusalem.
R. Azriel Zelig Slonim was born in Hebron to R. Ze'ev Dov, grandson of Rebbetzin Menuchah Rachel Slonim, daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe of Lubavitch. He was orphaned at a young age of his father, and at the age of 15, in 1913, he travelled to study in the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Lubavitch. R. Azriel Zelig was a household member of Rebbe Rashab, and ate at his table on Shabbat and festivals. In 1918, following the civil war, he went to study in the Kherson branch of Tomchei Temimim, in Ukraine. In Kherson, he drew close to the renowned Chassid Reb Itche der Masmid and with his encouragement, began going round the Jewish colonies in the Kherson district, giving classes on Chassidut. Amongst others, he was active in the Nahar Tov colony (Nagartav, Bereznegovatoye County), R. Itche's town. He would travel from time to time for the festivals to the Rashab in Rostov, and after the latter's passing, he continued travelling to his son and successor, the Rayatz. After Pesach 1922, he returned to Eretz Israel and settled in Jerusalem. He was appointed mashpia in the Tzemach Tzedek synagogue in the Old City, and married Mrs. Chaya Feigel (daughter of his sister Sheinah Mushka and her husband R. Moshe Shlomo Kahana Shapira, descendant of the Megaleh Amukot). In 1924, with the encouragement and instructions of the Rayatz (see item 25), he began serving as emissary and travelled throughout the world. During this mission, he raised funds, disseminated Judaism and Chassidut, and worked in outreach. He reached the most far-flung communities, and worked on establishing Mikvaot, appointing rabbis and shochetim and setting up classes on Torah and Chassidut. In 1924, he took part in founding Agudas Chassidei Chabad in America and Canada. At the end of one of his missions, the Rayatz commented: "Zelig is capable of making things happen". Upon concluding his mission in Australia in 1940, R. Azriel Zelig returned to Jerusalem and devoted himself to Chabad communities in Eretz Israel. He was the trustee of Chabad property in Eretz Israel, and maintained continuous correspondence with Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah wife of the Rashab and Rebbetzin Nechama Dina wife of the Rayatz. He passed away on Chol HaMoed Sukkot and was buried on Har HaMenuchot in Jerusalem. Many of his descendants serve as Chabad Shlichim and rabbis in communities throughout the world.
This letter was presumably never published.
[1] leaf. 22X15.5 cm. Good condition. Filing holes. Folding marks and creases. Tears to margins and folding marks (not affecting text). Stains and wear.
Letter (approx. 8 lines) handwritten and signed by Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneersohn, wife of Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch. [New York], Sunday, 7th Iyar 1961. Yiddish.
Addressed to her relative R. Azriel Zelig Slonim. In her letter, the Rebbetzin blesses: "Wishing you a good journey and success in your work. Enclosed is my gift of 50 dollars, use it in good health and enjoy it", and signs "Your relative, Nechama Dina Schneersohn".
This letter was presumably given to R. Azriel Zelig before his return to Eretz Israel, after his visit to the Lubavitcher Rebbe in Shevat-Iyar 1961 (Eved Melech, chapter 28, pp. 322-324).
Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneersohn (1881-1971), wife of Rebbe Rayatz. She was the daughter of R. Avraham Schneersohn of Kishinev, son of Rebbe Yisrael Noach of Niezhin, son of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch. Their wedding took place in Elul 1897. She was devotedly involved in her husband’s monumental work. When her husband was arrested by the communists in 1927, she deftly and courageously orchestrated his release, at peril of her life.
R. Azriel Zelig Slonim (1897-1971), born in Hebron to R. Ze'ev Dov, grandson of Rebbetzin Menucha Rachel Slonim, daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe. He was a leading Chabad communal activist, member of Agudas Chassidei Chabad and director of Kollel Chabad. He was one of the founders of Irgun N'shei UBnos Chabad and the Beit Chana institution, and helped establish Shikun Chabad in Jerusalem.
[1] leaf, official stationery. 28 cm. Good condition. Filing holes. Folding marks and creases.
מכתב "שנה טובה" מאת האדמו"ר רבי מנחם מנדל שניאורסון – הרבי מליובאוויטש, חתום בחתימת יד קדשו. ברוקלין, ניו יורק, אלול ("ימי הסליחות") תשט"ו [1955].
מודפס במכונת כתיבה על נייר מכתבים רשמי של הרבי, וחתום בחתימת יד קדשו.
נשלח אל האברך: "ולקראת השנה החדשה... הנני בזה להביע לו ברכתי, ברכת כתיבה וחתימה טובה לשנה טובה ומתוקה בגשמיות וברוחניות".
בסוף מכתבו הוסיף הרבי: "בברכה לת"ת [לתלמוד תורה] ביראת שמים".
הסופר הרה"ח נפתלי צבי גוטליב (תרצ"ה-תשע"ז), חבר ומזכיר כולל חב"ד וגבאי בית כנסת מאה שערים בירושלים. חיבר את ספר "תולדות לוי יצחק" על אביו של הרבי מליובאוויטש רבי לוי יצחק שניאורסון, "יהדות הדממה" על יהודי רוסיה הסובייטית, וספרים נוספים. פרסם כתבות רבות בשבועון כפר חב"ד.
[1] דף, נייר מכתבים רשמי. 21.5 ס"מ. מצב טוב. סימני קיפול וקמטים קלים. כתמים, בהם כתמים כהים גדולים.
מכתב "שנה טובה" מאת האדמו"ר רבי מנחם מנדל שניאורסון – הרבי מליובאוויטש, חתום בחתימת יד קדשו. ברוקלין, ניו יורק, אלול ("ימי הסליחות") תשט"ז [1956].
מודפס במכונת כתיבה על נייר מכתבים רשמי של הרבי, וחתום בחתימת יד קדשו.
נשלח אל הרה"ח ראובן געצל בן רבקה רחל (כהן): "ולקראת השנה החדשה... הנני בזה להביע לו ברכתי, ברכת כתיבה וחתימה טובה לשנה טובה ומתוקה בגשמיות וברוחניות".
בסוף מכתבו הוסיף הרבי: "בברכה לתלמוד תורה ביראת שמים".
[1] דף, נייר מכתבים רשמי. 21.5 ס"מ. מצב טוב. סימני קיפול וקמטים קלים.
מכתב "שנה טובה" מאת האדמו"ר רבי מנחם מנדל שניאורסון – הרבי מליובאוויטש, חתום בחתימת יד קדשו. ברוקלין, ניו יורק, אלול ("ימי הסליחות") תשי"ח [1958].
מודפס במכונת כתיבה על נייר מכתבים רשמי של הרבי, וחתום בחתימת יד קדשו.
נשלח אל הרה"ח שמואל בנאראך בצפרו (מרוקו): "ולקראת השנה החדשה... הנני בזה להביע ברכתי לו, ולכל אשר לו, ברכת כתיבה וחתימה טובה לשנה טובה ומתוקה בגשמיות וברוחניות".
[1] דף, נייר מכתבים רשמי. 22 ס"מ. מצב טוב. סימני קיפול. כתם חלודה בגב.
מכתב "שנה טובה" מאת האדמו"ר רבי מנחם מנדל שניאורסון – הרבי מליובאוויטש, חתום בחתימת יד קדשו. ברוקלין, ניו יורק, אלול 5723 [תשכ"ג 1963]. "ימי הסליחות... שנת המאה חמישים להסתלקות מייסד חסידות חב"ד האדמו"ר הזקן". אנגלית.
מודפס במכונת כתיבה על נייר מכתבים רשמי של הרבי, וחתום בחתימת יד קדשו באנגלית.
נשלח אל מר אליהו קלמן (Eliyahu Kelman) בלונדון: "בהתקרב ראש השנה, ראשיתה של השנה החדשה... הנני בזה להביע ברכתי, לו ולכל אשר לו, לשנה טובה ושמחה בגשמיות וברוחניות" (אנגלית).
מעל חתימת-ידו נוספה ברכת "כתיבה וחתימה טובה" (בעברית).
[1] דף, נייר מכתבים רשמי. 21.5 ס"מ. מצב טוב. סימני קיפול וקמטים. כתמים קלים. קרע קל בשוליים (ללא פגיעה בטקסט).
מכתב "שנה טובה" מאת האדמו"ר רבי מנחם מנדל שניאורסון – הרבי מליובאוויטש, חתום בחתימת יד קדשו. ברוקלין, ניו יורק, אלול ("ימי הסליחות") תשכ"ד [1964].
מודפס במכונת כתיבה על נייר מכתבים רשמי של הרבי, וחתום בחתימת יד קדשו.
נשלח אל הרה"ח שמעון אוחיון בקזבלנקה (מרוקו): "לקראת השנה החדשה... הנני בזה להביע ברכתי לו ולכל אשר לו, ברכת כתיבה וחתימה טובה לשנה טובה ומתוקה בגשמיות וברוחניות".
[1] דף, נייר מכתבים רשמי. 21.5 ס"מ. מצב טוב. סימן קיפול.
מכתב "שנה טובה" מאת האדמו"ר רבי מנחם מנדל שניאורסון – הרבי מליובאוויטש, חתום בחתימת יד קדשו. ברוקלין, ניו יורק, אלול ("ימי הסליחות") תשכ"ז [1967].
מודפס במכונת כתיבה על נייר מכתבים רשמי של הרבי, חתום בחתימת יד קדשו, בתוספת מילה בכתב-ידו.
נשלח אל הרב פרופסור פינחס פֶּלִאי הכהן (תר"צ-תשמ"ט) בניו-יורק: "לקראת השנה החדשה... הנני בזה להביע ברכתי, לו ולכל אשר לו, ברכת כתיבה וחתימה טובה לשנה טובה ומתוקה בגשמיות וברוחניות".
בסוף המכתב הוסיף הרבי בכתב-יד קדשו את המילה "בכבוד".
[1] דף, נייר מכתבים רשמי. 21.5 ס"מ. מצב טוב. סימני קיפול. רישום בשוליים.
מכתב "שנה טובה" מאת האדמו"ר רבי מנחם מנדל שניאורסון – הרבי מליובאוויטש, חתום בחתימת יד קדשו. ברוקלין, ניו יורק, אלול ("ימי הסליחות") תשכ"ח [1968].
מודפס במכונת כתיבה על נייר מכתבים רשמי של הרבי, וחתום בחתימת יד קדשו.
נשלח אל הרה"ח מרדכי פדר בתל אביב: "לקראת השנה החדשה... הנני בזה להביע ברכתי, לו ולכל אשר לו, ברכת כתיבה וחתימה טובה לשנה טובה ומתוקה בגשמיות וברוחניות".
[1] דף, נייר מכתבים רשמי. 21.5 ס"מ. מצב טוב. סימן קיפול. כתמים קלים.
Letter from Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn – the Lubavitcher Rebbe, with his signature. Brooklyn NY, 1st Adar II 1959.
Typewritten on the official stationery of the rebbe, with his signature and the addition of one word in his handwriting.
Addressed to R. Refael Assulin of Midelt, Morocco. The rebbe begins the letter by relating to success in livelihood, and instructs him: "The advice of the sages in this matter is well-known, to give plenty charity, and to distribute the sum in several goes, and one of the propitious times for this is every day before the morning prayers, to set aside several coins for charity".
Further in the letter, the rebbe responds to his request "to be blessed with a son", and writes: "Obviously the channel and utensil for receiving G-d's blessing in this area is by increasing efforts on behalf of the education of the Jewish children under his care… and the more efforts he expends, the quicker and more plentiful the blessing he will receive from G-d".
The present letter was not published in Igrot Kodesh of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Aerogram. 22.5 cm. Good condition. Folding marks and creases. Open tear to right margin of the letter (approx. 4X5 cm), not affecting text.