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Shalom DovBer Raskin was a correspondent of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, during the early 1950s. From the Rebbe’s letters, it is evident that Raskin was engaged in communal, educational, and business activities, and sought the Rebbe’s advice and blessings regarding personal, familial, and communal matters. He was also involved in outreach and support for Jewish communities, particularly in Morocco.
The Rebbe’s letters to Shalom DovBer Raskin reflect a warm, personal, and guiding relationship. The Rebbe responded to Raskin’s reports and questions on a variety of topics, including shidduchim (marriage arrangements), business ventures, health, communal activism, and education. The tone throughout is encouraging, practical, and deeply rooted in Torah and Chassidic values.
In matters of marriage, the Rebbe offered heartfelt blessings for Raskin’s own shidduch and wedding, emphasizing that it should be built on the foundations of Torah and mitzvos as illuminated by Chassidus. He also encouraged Raskin to suggest appropriate matches within the community and to involve his wife in communal religious activities, highlighting the value of joint Torah study between husband and wife.
Regarding business, the Rebbe provided practical guidance, such as advising that a business should be closed on Shabbos and Yom Tov and cautioning against selling one’s home to finance a venture. He often invoked the teachings and blessings of his father-in-law, the Previous Rebbe, and even sent a coin from the Previous Rebbe’s fund as a segulah for success, referencing the saying that “even one coin brings blessing and success in actual material matters.”
On the topic of health, the Rebbe stressed the importance of caring for one’s physical well-being as a prerequisite for spiritual service, quoting the Baal Shem Tov that “when a person’s body is ill, his soul is also weakened and he cannot pray properly.” The Rebbe encouraged Raskin to study foundational Chassidic works and to seek support from the local Sephardic community for communal work in Morocco.
The Rebbe provided clear direction regarding Jewish education, especially for children. He emphasized that the primary focus should be on instilling Yiras Shamayim (awe of Heaven) and the practical observance of Judaism in daily life, not just in theory or limited to Shabbos and Yom Tov. The Rebbe advised Raskin to use every opportunity to teach children how to make blessings, keep Shabbos, and observe kashrus, even if this needed to be introduced gradually.
In his communal work, Raskin was encouraged to assist emissaries and activists, not only in gathering material resources but, more importantly, in “sowing spirituality.” The Rebbe’s letters reflect a holistic approach, intertwining material and spiritual success, and consistently urge Raskin to share good news and to strengthen his own Torah study and influence on others.
The Rebbe’s correspondence is marked by personal concern—offering blessings for family milestones such as the birth of children, improvement in livelihood, and success in all endeavors. He frequently requested updates on Raskin’s family and communal activities, demonstrating an ongoing interest in his well-being and the broader impact of his work.