Auction 76
Lot 70:
Igeret Kodesh by the Rebbe, typewritten on the official stationery of the MERKOS L’INYONEI CHINUCH which was headed by the Rebbe at the time, from an eerie date: thirty days after the passing of the Admor. The letter is addressed to the Gaon Rav Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Weiss. The Rebbe begins his letter by expressing his gratitude for the condolence letter sent by Rabbi Weiss, his words indicating the stormy times: "קשה עדין הכתיבה ומענה על מכתבים בכלל, ובפרט הכתיבה ע"ד ההסתלקות, כי מי ינחמנו ובמה נתנחם".
Letters similar to this one were published in Igrot Kodesh (section III p. 239) and in Likutei Sichot (section XI p. 260). However, the content later in this letter has never been published! The significant content indicates that eveb before the acceptance of the Nesi’it and even in the mourning period for the Rebbe the Rayatz, the Rebbe continued his father-in-law’s enterprises:
"… והנגלות לנו… זייער ארבעט איז – מאכן ליכטיג [their work is to illuminate]. דרך סלולה ותפקיד גלוי השאיר לנו כ"ק מו"ח אדמו"ר הכ"מ – עבודת תורה אור להאיר לכל בני ישראל בכל מושבותיהם, בסיסמה שהכריז: אהבת השם, אהבת התורה ואהבת ישראל אפילו לאנשים פשוטים….".
The Rebbe ends with his famed yearning: "ובמילוי תפקיד זה נזכה ליעוד ועמך כולם צדיקים גו’ הקטן יהי’ והצעיר לגוי עצום, בביאת משיח צדקנו במהרה בימינו, בסיום הכתוב אני הוי’ בעתה אחישנה. בברכה וכבוד [תיבה זו בכתי"ק]…" – the Rebbe’s handwritten signature in black ink.
The addressee, Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Weiss (1910-1990) an important American Rav of German origin. Raught at the Ner Israel Rabbinical College of baltimore. Was Rav of the Orach Chaim community of New York and one of the founders of the Torah Umasora organization. Headed the Yisrael Hatza’ir and was vice president of the OU. His son, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Weiss, is the founder and Rosh Yeshiva of the Nachalat Haleviyim Yeshiva of Haifa.
[1] leaf. 28X21.5 cm. On one side, the Rebbe’s letter; on the other, a brochure of the MERKOS L’INYONEI CHINUCH. Fold lines. Very good overall condition.
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