In a rare interview, Rabbi Sholom Mendel Simpson, the Rebbe’s secretary, told Beis Moshiach among other things about his work in the Rebbe’s letter-archive and about publishing them in the Igros Kodesh
Rabbi Shimon Elituv related how when he came to learn in [a Chabad] Yeshiva in 1951 he used to correspond with the Rebbe very frequently. This went on until the Rebbe became very busy and stopped answering all of his letters, so he decided to stop writing. He was astonished to receive a letter from the Rebbe with a postscript in his own holy handwriting reading, “Your silence is surprising. It saddens me that you are making a calculation – based on the lack of letters from here – that I am loaded with burdens and troubles, etc.”
The Rebbe writes to the Chassidim about the importance of connecting Jews with the Rebbe
An overview of the historical origins and the importance of writing
Let us first explore the idea of writing to the Rebbe in the first place.
In Shevat 5748, the Rebbe delivered some sichos in which he established the rules about writing to him. He said that medical questions should be asked of an expert doctor, and even better – to a doctor-friend, and in special cases, to consult with two top doctors.
Elul 5775. My five-and-a-half-year-old decided that he must go to the Rebbe for Hakhel. Our financial situation at the time did not enable us to get up and go, and yet how could we not go in a Shnas Hakhel? We could not decide what to do.
Rabbi and Mrs. Hertzel and Chagit Borochov are known to many, thanks to their Merkaz Igros Kodesh that they’ve been operating for years.
How surprising can it be to open an envelope of letters collected over the years? It’s nice to go down memory lane and recall special moments, to reread blessings from the Rebbe, to relive the events in diaries describing years of learning in the Rebbe’s mosdos.
Rabbi Elimelech Shachar is the intensely busy director of the Chabad schools in Rechovot, while Rabbi Yaakov Reinitz is the legendary madrich of the Chabad yeshiva in Lud for the past 55 years. Both of them connect Jews to the Rebbe and serve as an address for those who wish to write to the Rebbe.* They speak about their special shlichus in guiding people to write to the Rebbe and the challenges they encounter. * How do they explain what Chitas is and why it’s important to attend a farbrengen? What do they do when there isn’t a clear answer in the Igros? And what does “azkir al ha’tziyun” mean? * As well as… a rare note from the Rebbe with detailed instructions about writing to him. All this, plus stories and miracles.
In Shevat 5748, the Rebbe delivered some sichos in which he established the rules about writing to him. He said that medical questions should be asked of an expert doctor, and even better – to a doctor-friend, and in special cases, to consult with two top doctors
Elul 5775. My five-and-a-half-year-old decided that he must go to the Rebbe for Hakhel. Our financial situation at the time did not enable us to get up and go, and yet how could we not go in a Shnas Hakhel? We could not decide what to do.
As Chassidim, we are taught to write to the Rebbe about every special plan and to ask for his bracha. When we ask the Rebbe for a bracha in a certain matter, of course we need to be prepared to accept whatever the Rebbe says, even if the answer is not in line with our plans. At the same time, it is very important not to draw conclusions on one’s own, but to consult with your mashpia, with the belief that the Rebbe conveys the right guidance through him
August 16, 2019