SCHNEERSON, SHTERNA-SORAH.

Written from Riga, Latvia, shortly after the Schneerson family found asylum there, following the release from Soviet incarceration of R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson (the Frierdiker Rebbe). An interesting letter comparing Jewish life in Latvia with that in Russia, the Rebbetzin’s pride in her son the Rebbe and other family matters. “This is the first time that I am in Riga… There are fine batei-midrashim here… however, one cannot compare [them with] the self-sacrifice (“mesirath-nefesh”) and warmth of the Russian Jews… Even if they catch someone who teaches children, he might walk away but will continue to learn with them again. God should have pity on all Jews, but especially the Jews of Russia, both spiritually and physically… where there is much hunger.” “My son [the Rebbe]… works very hard… thinking nothing of his own needs. May God accompany his holy work and give him strength and health until the coming of the Messiah… I now have a great-grandson with the holy name (of my husband Shalom-Ber)… I will relate your request to my son… I will also ask him about the “Sefarim.”