Sefer HaTanya by the Admor HaZaken. Printed at the IDF Fayid base in Egypt “on the Western side of the Suez Canal”, Fayid, 1973. 78th edition. [2], 222 leaves. Mondshine Sefer HaTanya 68. Pocket edition: 11.5cm. Minor blemishes. Good overall condition.
The 78th edition of the Tanya was printed on a mobile printing press during the Yom Kippur War at the order of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson: “to show that not ‘בכוחי ועוצם ידי’ was Africa conquered, or Egypt as it is called, but rather ‘ברוחי אמר ה’ צבאות’. The printing took place through the effort of General Rabbi Zvi Lipsker, a Chabad Chassid, and required the special permission of Ariel Sharon, the Division Commander, and sent shockwaves through the newspapers of the time, regarding the devotion of the Chabad followers to their rabbis.
The printing took place about a month after the Rebbe first ordered a printing in the area, the 75th edition of the Tanya, around Hanukkah. There are slight variations in the title pages between the two editions.
