Latter of practical guidance. Lengthy and extremely important letter covering three pages, in which the Admo”r Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch guides the renowned philanthropist, the Chassid R’ Yosef Shmutkin, as to how a Chaba”d Chassid’s day should appear. [St. Petersburg], 18 Sivan, 1926. Our best examination determined that the letter before us has never been published, and it constitutes a huge discovery for the study of Chaba”d.
The important and constitutive letter before us was dictated by the Rebbe to his secretary, with the name of the addressee and the signature [11 words] added by the Rayya”tz himself, in his hand. The Rebbe guides his Chassidim in this letter with a detailed description of how the daily schedule of Chaba”d Chassidim should appear – what he is to study each day (Chumash, Tehillim, Tanya and Shulchan Aruch – this is possibly the first Chaba”d source for Chata”t study), and how to study (a long chapter in three days, a medium one in two days, and a short one in one day) and what else must be focused on (a great principle and foundation in terms of working with others) and many other important topics. It is evident from the content of the letter that it was written for the general public and not just as private instruction for its recipient. The Rebbe, as was his way, used deep Kabbalistic concepts while remaining accessible to everyone.
The Admo”r Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch – the Rayya”tz [1880-1950] was the sixth Admo”r of Chaba”d Lubavitch, which he led from 1920 until his passing. Immediately after his wedding in 1897, his father appointed him acting principal of the Tomchei Temimim yeshivah, which was founded that same year. A short time after the outbreak of the Communist Revolution, his father passed away and he was appointed leader of Chaba”d-Lubavitch Chassidism. As a result of Communist persecution, he established an underground network of “Talmudei Torah” and yeshivahs in the USSR. The Admo”r the Rayya”tz dealt extensively with Jewish activity, disseminating items necessary for Jewish religion and education, which was illegal in the USSR. In 1940, he traveled by boat from Stockholm to New York. After a short while, he acquired the famous 770 building, where he lived his final years; it later became the World Headquarters of Chaba”d.
[3] pp, 14×22 cm. Written by the gabbai with the addition of the addressee’s name in the Rayya”tz’s hand, and with his signature.
Fine condition: Aging stains. Fold marks, light professional restoration of the folds.