Auction 109 Books | Letters and Manuscripts | Megillot and Jewish Ceremonial Art
Public-Private Letter of the Lubavitcher Rebbe – Tevet 1961
Opening: $500
Sold for: $1,875
Including buyer's premium
Public-private letter of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Brooklyn, New York, 14th Tevet 1961.
Typewritten on official stationery of the Rebbe, with his signature: "M.Schneerson", with a word added by hand.
Public-private letter (an identical letter sent to several individuals), addressed to the shochet R. Avraham Alexander Sender Nemtzov (1871-1962), an important Chabad Chassid, author of Edut LeAsaf.
In this letter, the Rebbe recounts a story about the Tzemach Tzedek's childhood, when he asked his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe, how Jacob could spend 17 of his years in the defiled land of Egypt. His grandfather responded that Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to establish a house of study – where there is Torah study, there is closeness to G-d, which enables one to live a true life even in Egypt.
Based on this explanation, the Rebbe prays that each one of us in our own "Egypt" may nevertheless live a true life, by studying Torah and Chassidut.
At the end of the letter, the Rebbe adds by hand the words: "With respect and [with blessing]".
The foot of the letter contains references and sources to topics and ideas cited in the letter.
[1] leaf, official stationery. Thin paper. 27.5 cm. Good-fair condition. Folding marks. Marginal tears and open tears (not affecting text). Paper sticker on verso.
This letter is printed in the Rebbe's Igrot Kodesh, XX, p. 109 (letter 7540), and Likutei Sichot, X, p. 320 (also cited in Hayom Yom, 18th Tevet).
Letters – Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbes
Letters – Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbes