Draft of a public-private letter for Lag BaOmer – two pages handwritten by R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Brooklyn, New York, Pesach Sheni, 1951.
Plain paper leaf, written on both sides in pencil (approx. 50 handwritten lines), with deletions, corrections, annotations, emphasis and additions in pencil and black ink. Some inscriptions added by secretary in preparation for print.
Draft of a public-private letter (an identical letter sent to several individuals), written for Lag BaOmer 1951, about three months after the Lubavitcher Rebbe's accession to leadership of Chabad.
In the letter, the Rebbe explains the significance and meaning of Lag BaOmer, based on the writings of the Arizal and Chassidic teachings: "This is the yahrzeit of R. Shimon ben Yochai – the festival of R. Shimon – who at that time reached the pinnacle of all his accomplishments… and the aspect of… the light of the Messiah shined in him".
The Rebbe goes on to explain the special significance of this day in our generation, based on Chassidic teachings: "And every year on this day, this condition [the light of the Messiah] reawakens… and more so in our generation… In the early generations permission was granted to reveal only to R. Shimon ben Yochai and his fellows, but in our later generations it is permitted and a mitzvah to reveal the inner meaning of the Torah… And happy is one who valiantly sets a fixed schedule for study of the inner Torah, for himself as well as in groups, and also to exert influence on others as far as possible… to know G-d and what He asks of us…".
The Rebbe concludes his letter with a "blessing and greeting" to all, and adds references and sources for the ideas discussed in the letter.
[1] leaf (two written pages). 21.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains.
The present draft is printed in Igrot Kodesh (IV, 1002) and Likutei Sichot (VII, p. 335).
