‘Derher’ Magazine: The Manuscripts that Came Home

After over 50 years of being in captivity, precious collections of Kesovim belonging to the Rebbeim were still located in Poland. In an incredible sequence of events beginning in 5731 (1971), what had seemed an impossible feat – was indeed achieved. Guiding every step of the way, the Rebbe directed a number of individuals on how to retrieve one section of the library.

In an unprecedented article published in the newest edition of A Chassidisher Derher magazine, a remarkable review of this saga is featured. In preparation, the writers and editors of A Chassidisher Derher uncovered many never-before-seen documents, and had the pleasure of interviewing many individuals who were heavily involved in bringing the Seforim home, including: Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky, the Rebbe’s Mazkir and chairman of Merkos L’inyonei Chinuch; Rabbi Simchah Zirkind, Shliach to Montreal, Canada; Family and friends of Rabbi Aharon Chitrik; and many others.

The full magazine, which is published monthly by Vaad Hatmimim Haolomi, is available for pre-order through subscribing at www.Derher.org/subscribe and will soon be available for download on their website www.Derher.org.

We present an excerpt from this soon-to-be-published magazine:

International Issue

“We began brainstorming how to best go about securing the seforim’s release. At this point, Rabbi Avraham Shemtov entered the picture. In addition to his position of Shliach to Philadelphia, Rabbi Shemtov is the Rebbe’s representative to Washington and is acquainted with many high-ranking officials there. Through diplomatic efforts and the right connections, the pressure paid off and we reached Secretary of State Henry Kissinger who, in turn, filed a request with the American Embassy in Poland for the release of the library.”

Rabbi Shemtov spent several tireless months involved in negotiations, including many meetings in Washington with high-ranking diplomats. For some of these meetings, Rabbi Krinsky flew in from New York, and assisted the efforts.

A short while later, the Jewish Historical Institute responded to the request in letter addressed to Merkos with a carbon copy to the US Embassy, in which they claimed that they did not have the kesovim. However, if a team of experts would come to visit them, they would be happy to open their archives for them.

Poland Bound

In Cheshvan 5736, Rabbi Aaron Chitrik was suddenly summoned by Rabbi Hodakov and asked if his passport was current. When he replied in the affirmative, he was instructed to obtain a Polish visa and prepare for a trip to Warsaw.

Rabbi Hodakov continued that he would be informed of a travel date soon, and, upon his arrival, he was to stay there for one week, in order to sufficiently locate and identify the kesovim.

With little time to waste, Rabbi Chitrik wrote to the Rebbe, inquiring as to which particular day he should best travel to Poland, as well a request to have Yechidus before he departed. He received a fascinating response from the Rebbe, as follows:

(ביום א’ בלילה באם אא”פ מקודם (ובטח יהי’
בערב ש”ק על הציון
.ליחידות אין עתה, וא”צ כיון שיהי’ עה”צ

In other words: He should depart on Sunday night and, if possible, even earlier. A Yechidus was not necessary, since he would certainly go to the Ohel of the Frierdiker Rebbe on Friday (two days before his departure).

To subscribe, or for more information about the magazine, visit www.Derher.org/subscribe.