5452 —הכרת תודה על מתנה יקרה וברכות לבריאות

Letters of the Rebbe, Volume 15 — Letter #5452
B”H, 16 Iyar, 5717 (May 15, 1957)
Brooklyn, New York

The Rebbe writes to Harav Shmuel Abba Shapiro, a distinguished descendant of great Chassidic families and a “ben shel kedoshim,” acknowledging receipt of his recent letters as well as a unique and precious gift that had been sent to the Rebbe — a holy staff connected to the family of the great tzaddik Reb Pinchas of Koretz.

The Rebbe warmly thanks him both for the gift itself and for the detailed account describing the history and significance of the staff. The Rebbe notes the teaching of our Sages that “one who gives, gives generously,” and therefore appreciated not only the object itself, but also the complete background and story accompanying it.

In addition, the Rebbe acknowledges receipt of the Sefer Chok L’Yisrael on Sefer Devarim and expresses his sincere gratitude once again for all that had been sent.

The Rebbe then offers a heartfelt blessing that these efforts should bring benefit to the many. Chok L’Yisrael, a work that organizes daily Torah study in an accessible format, enables many Jews to learn Torah consistently and systematically. The Rebbe emphasizes the special merit of benefiting the public through Torah dissemination and study.

Connecting his response to the symbolic significance of the staff, the Rebbe writes that it is his prayer that we merit very soon the fulfillment of the prophetic promise when the period associated with the “staff of suffering” and exile will come to an end, and the era associated with the “pleasant staff” and redemption will begin.

The Rebbe further explains, based on the teachings of Chassidus and particularly the discourses of the Rebbe Maharash, that there is a distinction between the “staff” associated with the difficulties and concealments of exile and the staff of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, which represents redemption, holiness, and revealed goodness. The Rebbe references the maamarim discussing these concepts and expresses the hope that we should merit the revelation of Moshiach very soon.

Turning to the recipient’s personal well-being, the Rebbe notes that no mention was made regarding his health condition. The Rebbe interprets this silence positively, hoping that it is a sign that his health has improved and stabilized.

Nevertheless, the Rebbe blesses him that he should return to complete strength and health in every respect. The Rebbe connects this blessing to the period of the year between Pesach, “the season of our freedom,” and Shavuos, “the season of the giving of our Torah.”

The Rebbe explains that true freedom includes freedom from anything that interferes with serving Hashem properly, including physical illness and bodily weakness. Just as our Sages teach that all the Jewish people were healed and physically complete at the time of Matan Torah, so too should every Jew merit complete healing and renewed strength.

The Rebbe also references the explanation in Tanya, Chapter 49, where the Alter Rebbe explains the phrase “Uvanu vacharta mikol am velashon” — “You chose us from among all nations and tongues.” The revealed choice at Matan Torah was specifically upon the Jewish physical body, emphasizing the sanctity and importance of the body itself in serving Hashem.

The Rebbe concludes with blessings for good health and good news.

Background and Historical Context

The holy staff referenced in this letter carried extraordinary historical and familial significance. It had belonged to descendants of the holy tzaddik Reb Pinchas of Koretz and survived years of upheaval, persecution, and destruction.

The sender related to the Rebbe that this staff was among the final remaining heirlooms preserved from the family after the devastations caused by the Bolsheviks and later by Hitler ימ״ש. The staff had been passed down through descendants connected with the famed printing family that suffered greatly under Soviet persecution.

A particularly moving episode connected to the staff involved a descendant named Treina, related to the family of Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, who once carried the staff during travels to visit imprisoned family members in Moscow. During a severe rainstorm and difficult travel conditions, the staff broke and later had to be repaired with a new handle. This repaired staff was eventually passed along and ultimately gifted to the Rebbe.

The Sefer Chok L’Yisrael sent to the Rebbe likewise carried deep historical significance, having accompanied members of the family during years of imprisonment and suffering under Soviet oppression.

This letter beautifully combines gratitude, Chassidic insight, blessings for health and redemption, and appreciation for preserving sacred remnants of earlier generations dedicated to Torah and Yiddishkeit.