JEM: Letter to the Rebbe’s Brother Uncovered
As part of its “Early Years” research project, JEM recently received correspondence from the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yoseph Yitzchok Schneerson, to the Rebbe’s brother, Reb Yisrael Aryeh Leib.
Yisrael Aryeh Leib was born in Nikolayev on 21 Iyar, 1906, and passed away in Liverpool, England on 13 Iyar, 1952.
With permission from his family, we are pleased to publish this letter.
The letter was sent from the Previous Rebbe’s home in Riga to “M. Gurari” (the name on the documents with which Reb Leibel escaped Russia in Winter, 1930). After his escape from Russia, Leibel — the Rebbe’s youngest brother — lived with or nearby the Rebbe and Rebbetzin in Berlin, and the letter is addressed to him at the same address they occupied for a time.
It should be noted that the Previous Rebbe had a very warm and affectionate relationship with Reb Leibel.
26 Tishrei, 5733 (1932)
Riga
To my esteemed relative,
Mr. Yisrael Leib, may you be well:
Greetings and Blessings,
Your letter – which was physically short, but full and overflowing spiritually – reached me in due course, and I blessed you with a good, sweet year materially and spiritually.
I very much would like to know if you have regular study Torah classes – Talmud and chasidic teachings, as we discussed – and what topics you are studying nowadays. Please write to me about this.
Your relative, who sends regards and blessings.
Yoseph Yitzchak
The envelope is addressed:
Germany
Mr. M. Gurari
Kantstr. I33
Berlin
