Chachmei Yisrael Besh”t.

(CHASSIDISM).

New York

1924

FIRST EDITION. Issued by the American branch of the Agudath HaChassidim Kollel Chabad in order to raise funds for thirteen Lubavitcher Yeshivoth whose membership is recorded on f. 2.

Goldman 561.

Reproduces letters from the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mehzritch, R. Pinchas of Koretz, R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi and R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, along with contemporary letters by R. Shalom Ber Schneerson, R. Yoseph Yitzchak Schneerson and R. Shlomo Zalman Havlin (recounting events just prior to the death of the Rasha”b in Rostov, 1920). Included here is a communication by R. Yoseph Yitzchak Schneerson that opposes the Agudath Israel organization, and questioning why the Gerrer Rebbe would align himself alongside German activists whose path, the Raya”tz felt, would eventually spiral down to the low standards of Moses Mendelssohn and followers (see pp. 74-5 and pp. 111-2). These portions of the letters were later censored and not included in the Igroth Kodesh (see Vol I no. 140, p. 297 and no. 165, p. 352). A third letter (pp. 68-72) that concerns the Agudah and Chabad organizations in Eretz Israel does not appear in the Igroth Kodesh at all.