Ma’aneh Lashon. * With: Dov Baer of Lubavitch (the Mitteler Rebbe). Lehavin Inyan HaHishtatchuth al Kivrei Tzadikim.

<<FIRST EDITION OF THE MA’ANEH LASHON ACCORDING TO THE MINHAG OF CHABAD.>> <<OF EXCEPTIONAL RARITY. NO COPY LOCATED IN THE LIBRARY OF AGUDAS CHASIDEI CHABAD, NEW YORK.>> Ma’aneh Lashon [“Gift of Speech” - see Mishlei, Chap. 16, v. 1] is a series of prayers and Psalms to be recited at the graves of Tzadikim. Originally compiled by Yaakov b. Avraham Shlomo Shinna, it was first published in Prague in 1610 and over the subsequent two centuries, a great many further editions appeared serving different communities throughout Europe. The present edition of the Ma’aneh Lashon is highly significant in that it is the very first that is structured according to the custom of Chabad. It was printed upon the directions of R. Dov Baer of Lubavitch (the Mittler Rebbe) following the death in 1813 of his father, R. Shneur Zalman (the Alter Rebbe), the founder of Chabad-Lubavitch. The Mittler Rebbe encouraged his Chassidim to rely upon this Nusach when visiting the Alter Rebbe’s grave in Hoditch. See f. 6a where the instructions state explicitly that these holy words should be recited with tears at the “holy resting place of Admo’r Nishmatho BeGinzei Meromim VeZechutho Yagen Aleinu Amen.” Interestingly, the Nusach of this Ma’aneh Lashon had already been established by the Alter Rebbe himself when he visited the grave of R. Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev. The title-page records here that it was the Baal Shem Tov who first formatted guide-lines and selected the appropriate prayers. (See Y. Mondschein, Migdal Oz (1980) p. 341). In the 20th-century, the Ma’aneh Lashon was re-issued by R. Yoseph Yitzchak Schneerson (the Friediker Rebbe) in 1912 and after his passing in 1950, his successor, R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson (the last Rebbe), had the same edition reprinted. (See Maaneh Lashon, Introduction by E. Touger, (1996) pp. vii-viii). The final leaves here contain the text and explanation of a letter written by R. Shneur Zalman to the Chassidim in Eretz Israel upon the death of R. Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk (also published in Igereth Hakodesh Chap. 27). This important Chassidic discourse contains the foundations of the concept of “Hithkashruth,” maintaining a connection to the Tzadik even after he has departed from the corporeal world. <<This nusach chabad Ma’aneh Lashon, in this extraordinarily rare first edition state, is treasured by legions of devout lubavitch Chassidim upon visiting the grave of their Rebbe.>>