Draft leaves of a public-private letter for Shavuot – three pages handwritten by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe; with the printed letter enclosed. Brooklyn, New York, Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan 1951.

Two plain leaves of paper: one written on both sides, and another leaf, cut, written on one side only – approx. 65 lines in pencil, with deletions, corrections, annotations and additions in pencil and black ink.

Draft of a public-private letter (an identical letter sent to several individuals), written for Shavuot 1951, about three and a half months after the Lubavitcher Rebbe's accession to leadership of Chabad.

In the letter, the Rebbe explains the significance and meaning of Shavuot – stressing education of boys and girls, who are the guarantors for the receiving of the Torah, and exerting influence over all Jewish boys and girls:

"…And these days, of the time of the giving of our Torah, are special days for a special people to receive the special Torah joyfully and internally. However, the Holy One Blessed is He said to Israel, 'Give me good guarantors that you will observe the Torah'… The guarantorship of the children… is the same today as it was then. Each one of us… must now do everything within his power to educate sons and daughters in the Torah way… And all of Israel are guarantors for each other… Everyone can certainly influence… the education of Jewish boys and girls in his immediate environment… and fight every act and matter that is liable to separate the boy and girl educated in the Torah way from this education…".

The Rebbe concludes his letter: "With blessings for receiving the Torah joyfully and internally", and adds references and sources for the ideas referred to in the letter (handwritten on the third page).

Enclosed: Mimeograph of the final version of the public-private letter, sent at the time to all the Chassidim.

[2] leaves (3 written pages). Approx. 21.5 cm and 9 cm. Overall good condition. Stains. Small marginal tears. Tape to verso of second leaf over handwriting. [1] leaf, official stationery (mimeograph). 28 cm. Good condition. Folding marks. Stain to verso.

The present draft is printed in Igrot Kodesh (V, 1029) and Likutei Sichot (VIII, p. 267).