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Author: Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneersohn
Publisher: Kehot Publication Society
Format: 6" x 9" Hardcover, 758 Pages
Sefer Hasichot
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, defiantly worked to strengthen Judaism and fearlessly disseminated teachings of Chabad Chasidic philosophy. Going beyond his predecessors, he developed the custom of delivering sichot (informal talks)—incorporating stories and reminiscences of the earlier generations of Chabad Rebbes and Chasidim, along with instructive advice and guidance in the ways of Chasidism.
His first published sichot began to appear in 5692 (1932), in the form of periodical pamphlets. In later times, the sichot were printed in book form, arranged by year. While the majority of these sichot appear in Yiddish, as they were spoken, some are in Hebrew.
This volume of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s Sefer Hasichos, contains the talks of 5692-5695, which covers the years when Lubavitch moved to Riga, Latvia, and then to Poland.
The span of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s leadership is generally divided into three periods: a) Russia–1920-1928; b) Riga, and Poland–1928-1940; c) United States–1940-1950. Accordingly, the talks in this volume cover the middle years of the second era.
The Introduction, expertly composed by the editor, Rabbi Aaron Leib Raskin, contains a brief review of the life and events of the Frierdiker Rebbe during these turbulent years. It begins with the Rebbe residing in Riga, Latvia, and continues with the marriage of the Rebbe’s youngest daughter, Rebbetzin Sheina, in Landwarów, Poland, his visit to Glubokoye, Ludmir, Druskininkai and the Volhynia region; his visit to the burial place of Rabbi Shlomo of Karlin and his eventual move to Poland.
The preface quotes lengthy excerpts of the Frierdiker Rebbe’s detailed diary of these events. The historical review continues with the Rebbe’s plans to visit the Holy Land which due to financial reasons did not come to fruition.
The Introduction closes out with the founding of the Hatamim Journal edited by the Rebbe, the Frierdiker Rebbe’s son-in-law and eventual successor. Dispersed throughout the many talks are also written material by the Frierdiker Rebbe, and also many entries from his son-in-law’s and future Rebbe’s diary published in Reshimas Hayoman. A fascinating, lengthy essay published here is titled “Nature is Higher than Nature.” It explores the Chasidic perspective on teva (nature) and higher than teva. The Frierdiker Rebbe had asked his son-in-law and future Rebbe to comment on the essay before its release. Some of these comments are published here in the appendix.
Complete with notes, biographical details, cross references for further study, and indexes.
Vol. 1: 5680-5687 (1920-1927)
Vol. 2: 5688-5691 (1927-1931)
Vol. 3: 5692-5695 (1931-1935) – NEW
Vol. 4: 5696-5700 (1935-1940)
Vol. 5: 5700-5702 (1940-1942)
Vol. 6: 5703-5705 (1942-1945)
Vol. 7: 5706-5710 (1945-1950)
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