6777 —מקורות על תולדות חב"ד, שנת הולדת אדמו"ר הזקן, ושיטות מחקר

B"H, 19 Adar Sheni, 5719. Brooklyn.

Mar Eliezer sheyichyeh Tash

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In response to your letter from the 12th of Adar II, in which you ask several questions regarding the history of Chabad leaders and their chronicles: It is surprising that it seems you are not at all familiar with the relatively extensive literature published in recent years on this subject, which is also available in Eretz HaKodesh. The publication of several books on this topic has also been reported in the press there. If you are interested in this matter, it would be appropriate for you to contact Rabbi Avraham Chanokh sheyichyeh Glitzenshtein, P.O.B. 64, Lod.

To your specific questions:

a) Regarding the birth year of our master the Alter Rebbe, author of Tanya and Shulchan Aruch: We have heard many times orally from my revered father-in-law the Rebbe, and it is found in many places in his printed notes and memoirs, that it was on the 18th of Elul in the year 5505. There is a long story about the period of pregnancy and birth; part of it has been published in collections and memoirs already printed. It is understood that in such matters family tradition is most reliable—especially when supported by several stories from different areas, each providing evidence regarding the birth year.

As for your question about how the error arose among some Chabad historians who set the year as 5507: In such matters—where initially there were few researchers (and even general Chassidic history was little studied)—when examining how information developed over time one often sees that someone stated a rumor or a more or less founded hypothesis (and most often actually "less"), and those who came after repeated it without adding that it was only a hypothesis. Anyone familiar with Jewish history during the time of our master the Alter Rebbe in Russia knows that very few documents or even oral traditions exist regarding birth years; moreover, due to decrees and similar circumstances it was often necessary to falsify a child's age. Apparently Chabad biographers relied on Beit Rabbi and Sefer Toldot HaRav (which preceded it), but even they had only a hypothesis. It is surprising that precisely one source suggesting 5507 was not copied by those sources—I mean the introduction by the sons of our master the Alter Rebbe to his Shulchan Aruch (the passage beginning "And after many years... when he was thirty years old... in Mohilev"). The likely assumption is that his being there relates to when several disciples of Rav HaMaggid of Mezritch ascended to Eretz HaKodesh—which was in 5537—and I asked my revered father-in-law about this since then our master would have been thirty-two; he answered me that generally when writing introductions they were not so precise with dates (in addition to which it's not clear if that introduction refers to beginning or completing his sixteenth study of Shas). In any case this does not contradict a detailed tradition passed down generation to generation.

b) Material about Admor Maharash can be found in Sefer Toldot Maharash—which is available among several Anash and libraries in Eretz HaKodesh. It is known he wrote—using chassidic language and family tradition—“receipts,” apparently Latin-style as used by doctors etc., though obviously he did not study at universities or similar institutions. Also his library contained several medical books—including some not written in Lashon HaKodesh.

c) Regarding what you wrote about Chabad leadership succession: You will find similar material as an appendix to Kuntres Torat HaChassidut; briefly and as main points—in the introduction to Hayom Yom (especially its third edition, New York 5717). These are also available among several Anash and libraries in Eretz HaKodesh.

d) Regarding your letter’s conclusion stating urgency: I must repeat my astonishment from earlier—that when writing an article on any subject—especially for an encyclopedia intended for public benefit—it is astonishing to do so before researching existing books on that topic or at least consulting reference works therein. Since you mention Eliezer Steiman’s book sheyichyeh—it cites several books already published on this subject.

Summary

The Rebbe stresses careful research using reliable sources before publishing historical articles for public use. He clarifies key facts about Chabad history while highlighting how errors can arise from unverified assumptions repeated over time.