The Lubavitch Library Exhibition Second Exhibit May 18 - July 2, 1995 (Lag B'Omer - after Gimel Tamuz, 5755) Exhibition Hall of the Library * Featuring artifacts and writings from Chabad Rebbes throughout the generations prominent Gedolei Yisroel, Chassidic Masters, and Sephardic Sages and the chronicles of Chabad's phenomenal worldwide expansion highlighting the era of the Previous Rebbe and the emergence of the era of the Rebbe, when Chabad flourished and spanned the globe B.H., May 14, 1995 (Pesach Sheini, 5755) In preparation for the auspicious day of Gimel Tamuz, the anniversary of the histalkus of the Rebbe, the Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad - Ohel Yosef Yitzchak - Lubavitch is opening the second exhibition from its prized Archives. The new exhibition features writings and artifacts from the Rebbe, from the Chabad Rebbes throughout the generations, from prominent Gedolei Yisroel, Chassidic Masters, Sefardic Sages, and memorabilia from the early years of the Chabad movement's phenomenal worldwide expansion. Prominently displayed are the prayer-stands the Rebbe used in the first years of his leadership, and an aron kodesh constructed especially for his study. Adorning the walls of the Exhibition Hall are scores of rare and treasured paintings and drawings of the Rebbe, on paper, canvas, glass and metal; and scores more inspiring paintings and illustrations of all kinds, from artists around the world, which were given as gifts to the Rebbe. Special viewing tables display handwritten papers from the Rebbe, noting topics of his talks at early gatherings, from the period before he assumed the reins of leadership. The Passport and Immigration Papers of the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok. Bells he used to summon his secretaries to his study. Rare pictures and photographs depicting all periods of his life. The shtar t'noim of the Rebbe Rashab, Rabbi Sholom Dovber, partially written and signed by his grandfather, the Rebbe "Tzemach Tzedek." Rare portraits of the Rebbe Rashab. A Megilas Esther written by the Rebbe Maharash, Rabbi Shmuel. Bill of sale for chometz with his signature. Pictures of his ohel in Lubavitch. The sefer "Otzros Chaim," with handwritten notes by the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, and the Rebbe Rashab in the margins. The sleeve of a kapota, presumably worn by the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek. Assorted printings of his portrait. Manuscripts of the Mitteler Rebbe, Rabbi Dovber, transcribing a discourse his father, the Alter Rebbe, said in the Liozna period, before his arrest. Photographs of his ohel in Niezhin and the Alter Rebbe's ohel in Hoditz. A discourse of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman, with editing in his handwriting. A white kipah with golden threads from the Previous Rebbe, thought to have originally belonged to the Alter Rebbe. His official portrait, printed in 1898 (5658). Photograph of a letter written by the Baal Shem Tov. Photograph of a handwritten sidur used by the Baal Shem Tov, in which his disciples signed their names for him to remember them in his prayers. Photographs of his ohel in Medzibush and a photograph of his mother's gravesite. Another viewing table displays old kesuvot, written on paper and parchment, with or without decorative borders, from all over of the world, starting from 1680 (5440). The shtar t'noim of the granddaughter of Rabbi Pinchus of Koritz and daughter of Rabbi Yacov Shimon of Zaslov. Attractive display cases feature handwriting, photographs and authentic pictures of dozens of Gedolei Yisroel: Rabbi Yonasan Eibshitz; Rabbi Akiva Eiger; the Baal Shem of Mickelstat, Rabbi Yoseph the Tzadik of Pozna; the Gaon of Rogutchov; Rabbi Meir Simcha HaCohen; Rabbi Meir Shapiro; the Sofer family: the "Kesav Sofer," the "Shevet Sofer" and the "Sofer Mahir"; the "Chofetz Chaim"; Rabbi Chaim of Brisk; Rabbi Yitzchak Elchanon of Kovna; the Malbim; the "Haksav V'hakabalah"; Rabbi Yacov Yoseph, Chief Rabbi of New York; and other famous Torah luminaries throughout the generations. Class photographs of faculty and students of the Yeshivahs of Telz and Kovrin, 1930-1932 (5690-5692). Handwriting, photographs and authentic pictures of dozens of Chassidic Masters: Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Vitepsk; the "Chidushei Harim" and the Rebbes of Gur; Rabbi Yisroel of Ruzin and the Rebbes of the Ruzin Dynasty; Rabbi Mordechai Shlomo of Buyan visiting Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim in Lod; Rabbi Dovid of Tolna; Rabbi Yochanan of Rachmistrivko; Rabbi Chaim of Zanz; Rabbi Hillel of Paritch; the Maharil of Kopust; the Rebbes of Koznitz; Radzin; Alexander; Kumarna; Desh; Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, the Rebbe's father; and more. A cane that belonged to the renowned Shapiro brothers, grandsons of Rabbi Pinchus of Koritz, from the Jewish publishing house of Slavitia, who became martyrs when they were falsely accused and imprisoned. A cane attributed to Rebbe Levi Yitzchok of Barditchov. The crown of a talit kept by the Previous Rebbe, which some say had belonged to Rabbi Yacov Yisroel of Tshroks. Plus other valued artifacts. Handwriting, photographs and authentic pictures of dozens of Sephardic Sages: Rabbi Yehudah Ibn Atar; Rabbi Yacov Ibn Tzur; "Baba Sali"; Rabbi Yoseph Chaim; Rabbi Mordechai Sherabi; Rishon L'Tzion, Rabbi Bentzion Meir Chai Uziel, speaking at a gathering in Kfar Chabad. A Zohar with commentary "Ohr Yokor" in the handwriting of the Ramak, Rabbi Moshe Cordovera. "Shmoneh Shaarim," handwritten by Rabbi Shumel the son of Rabbi Chaim Vital. A handwritten decorative manuscript of "Etz Chaim" by the famous sofer and calligrapher, Rabbi Yisroel son of Rabbi Asher of Seltz. A list of marriages performed by the Rabbinical Court in Morocco over a span of one hundred-fifty years, 1707-1857 (5467-5617). Rabbinical Court documents, in Arabic, and their cases. A letter and the seal of the "Dovivei Sifsei Yesheinim" Society of Fez. The seal of Rabbi Rephoel Ibn Tzur, Chief of the Rabbinical Court of Fez. * * * Five other display cases feature pictures, letters, announcements, signs and other items chronicling Chabad's expansion around the globe: Chabad in Russia, Chabad in the Holy Land, Chabad in Europe, Chabad in the United States, and Chabad in the Diaspora. For the benefit of visitors we present the following historical synopsis of Chabad's growth, in a format corresponding to the areas documented in these displays. Emphasis is placed on the era of the Previous Rebbe and the emergence of the era of the Rebbe, when Chabad flourished and spread worldwide, as depicted in material sent to the Rebbes reporting the ever-expanding activities, including newspaper clippings and public notices, etc., directed to the Jewish population of these places. Every item displayed is taken from the celebrated collection of rare and unique items accumulated by the Chabad Rebbes, stored in the Archives of the Library of Agudas Chasidei Chabad - Ohel Yoseph Yitzchok - Lubavitch. * * * Display # 1 - Chabad in Russia The main settlement of the early generations of Chabad was in the vast expanse of White Russia, with much smaller communities spread throughout the adjacent regions of Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland, and Galicia. The movement centered around the Rebbe's home in the towns of Liozna, Liadi and Lubavitch, and afterwards in Rostov and Leningrad. Chassidim would journey to these places to see the Rebbe, and occasionally the Rebbe would travel to the surrounding towns to visit the Chassidim, recite for them teachings of Chassidus and receive them in private audiences. In 1897 (5657) the Rebbe Rashab founded "Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch," and as the years passed, scores of new campuses were opened in cities across Russia. At first these yeshivot operated openly, but after a succession of oppressive edicts by the Communist Government they were forced underground. During this whole period Chabad Chassidim refrained from having their pictures taken, and consequently there are only scarce snapshots of the early Chabad adherents, activities and yeshivot. The surviving remnant from this era consists of letters, brief leaflets, and the like. Examples of these are presented on the top shelf of this display. * * * In the summer of 1933 (5693) a practice started among the Chassidim in Russia that individuals would send their pictures to the Rebbe. This practice developed after the Previous Rebbe was forced to flee Russia and reside in Riga, Latvia, while the Chassidim remained behind to bear the frightful persecutions of the Communists. The Previous Rebbe then penned the following general message to his Chassidim in Russia (Igros Kodesh Vol. 2, #633): "When I read your names I think pleasingly of your faces and your families; seeing your pictures, too, is a joy for me, because my overwhelming love for you is so unquenchable..." Examples of these photographs are displayed on shelf two. Shown are pictures of Chassidim who fought for their Judaism, Temimim who secretly studied devoutly, and members of the Chabad community who were searching desperately for a way out of the gehenom known as "Russia." * * * Eventually, with G-d's help, in the aftermath of World War II, in the years 1946-1947 (5706-5707) a large contingent of about one thousand Chassidim successfully managed to cross the border and reach countries in Europe that were recovering from the Nazis, yemach shmom. Again the Rebbe requested that his Chassidim among the refugees send him their pictures. Examples of these pictures are displayed on shelf three. Although taken in Europe, they portray Russian Chassidim upon their escape to freedom. At first these Chassidim stayed in refugee camps - mostly in Poking, Germany, and in Shtayer, Austria - and wherever they went they immediately opened yeshivot for their liberated children. Shelf four displays photographs of the Yeshivah in Poking and the Yeshivah in Shtayer, showing various classes and a poster with an amazing collage of photos of the liberated refugees. * * * From the end of World War II, until the start of the mass exodus of Jews from the Soviet Union in 1966 (5726), the connection between the Chabad community behind the Iron Curtain and the Chabad community outside of Russia was practically severed. Communication with Jews inside Russia in this period was primarily through the clandestine efforts of daring Shluchim, emissaries, whom the Previous Rebbe sent back into Russia. Chabad's work in Russia during these years had to be very secretive, and it is clear why the Chassidim feared having their pictures taken and Jewish activities were not publicized in that period. Display # 2 - Chabad in the Holy Land The Chabad settlement in the Holy Land began right from the time of the Alter Rebbe, the founder of Chabad Chassidus. His Chassidim first settled in Safed and Tiberias. Then the Mitteler Rebbe founded the Chabad settlement in Hebron, and in the ensuing years the foundation of the Chabad community in Jerusalem also began forming. In 1912 (5672) the Rebbe Rashab founded the Yeshivah Toras Emes in Hebron, sending there a highly regarded mashpia and a group of youthful talmidim from Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim in Lubavitch. The Yeshivah was forced to close in World War I, when non-citizens were expelled from the country. Afterwards, in 1922 (5682), the Previous Rebbe reopened the Yeshivah in Jerusalem, where it still flourishes today. A branch of the Yeshivah subsequently also opened in Yafo. Photographs and publications of Yeshivah Toras Emes in Jerusalem and in Yafo are displayed on shelf one. * * * In the years 1933-1938 (5693-5798) many Chassidic families were able to leave Russia and immigrate to Israel. They settled mainly in Tel Aviv, and founded a cheder and another branch of Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch. Pictures of the immigrants to Israel in this period are also displayed on shelf one. * * * The main Chassidic immigration to Israel came in 1949 (5709), when a discernible portion of the contingent of Russian refugees from 1946-7 finally reached the Holy Land, after much wandering in Europe. At that time the mature Yeshivah students from Tel Aviv moved to Lod, where a number of Chassidic immigrants had settled and opened yet another branch of Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim. Shown in this display, on shelf two, are pictures from the first years of the Yeshivah in Lod. The lion's share of Lubavitcher immigrants to Israel in 1949 settled in Kfar Chabad, which was founded at that time. The village started with 70 families who moved into homes abandoned by Arabs. The community continued growing until it became the main center of Chabad activities in the Holy Land. Shelf three displays photographs from the first years of Kfar Chabad, showing some of its early organizations and activities. * * * Immediately upon assuming leadership, the Rebbe encouraged Chassidim in Israel to devote themselves to the cause of education. In this way he established the educational network "Oholei Yosef Yitzchok," with branches and campuses in many Israeli cities, especially in areas settled by the new immigrants. Shelf four displays pictures of these schools and other Chabad institutions in the Holy Land from those years. Display # 3 - Chabad in Europe Chabad began spreading across Europe after the Russian pogroms of 1880 (5640). After World War I, more Chabad centers arose in various European cities, especially after the Communist revolution, when anti-religious persecution increased in Russia. Most Chassidim who escaped across the border at that time settled in Europe. Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim was established in Warsaw in 1921 (5681). For 19 years it continued expanding, with 10 branches throughout Poland, until it was completely destroyed in the Holocaust. The two upper shelves display photographs, pamphlets, letters and reports from various campuses of the Yeshivah in Poland during this period. * * * The main growth of Chabad in Europe began after the great exodus of Chassidim from Russia after World War II, in the years 1946-7. After enduring the travails of refugee camps, most of these Chassidim reached Paris in 1947-8, and immediately upon their arrival they founded Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim in Brunoy, and "Beis Rivkah Girls Schools" in Yerres, near Paris, where they still are thriving today. Shelf three displays photographs of these institutions as they appeared during their formative years. * * * In the years 1948-9 the Previous Rebbe began sending Chassidim to open educational institutions in other countries too, but the main expansion in these areas occurred during the tenure of the Rebbe. Shelf four displays photographs of initial Chabad activities in England. Display # 4 - Chabad in the United States The Previous Rebbe was compelled to leave Russia at the end of 1927 (5688). He stayed in Riga for several years, and in the spring of 1933 (5693) he moved to Warsaw, and afterwards, to Otepsk. In the winter of 1940 (5700) he was saved miraculously from occupied Warsaw. He arrived for good in the United States, where he resided for the last ten years of his life, 1940-1950 (5700-5710). He founded the Central Lubavitch Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim in New York, and also campuses of "Achei Temimim" in 13 cities throughout the country. All this he did "for the sons," and likewise, "for the daughters," he established a network of Beis Rivkah Girls Schools in New York and in these other cities. * * * In 1942 (5702) a group of students from the Yeshivah in Poland was saved and brought Montreal. The Previous Rebbe immediately established a branch of Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim there, starting with these rescued students. In time they went on to become the faculty and administration of the Yeshivah. * * * When the Chabad leadership transferred to the Rebbe, he immediately started sending Shluchim to open Chabad centers in as many cities and countries as possible throughout the world. The Rebbe's emissaries in the early years were exceptional young men who had completed their studies in Tomchei Temimim. Shortly after marriage they were sent to establish educational institutions in cities and countries around the globe. A Shaliach's first task was to establish schools in the spirit of Torah-tradition for the children of his region, and to unite and organize the community to build and support its own religious institutions - doing anything and everything connected with upholding Judaism in these forlorn places. The shelves of this display show photographs of Chabad institutions in the United States and Canada from the time of their inception, especially in the years 1940-1950. Display # 5 - Chabad in the Diaspora This display features the rise of Chabad institutions throughout the rest of the Diaspora, in places not included in the previous sections. Immediately upon arrival in the United States, the Previous Rebbe established a special "Pidyon Shevuyim" fund for rescuing Chassidim from occupied Europe. A group of more than thirty students was sent through Russia, Japan and Shanghai. In Shanghai they opened a branch of Yeshivah Tomchei Temimim, where they pursued their studies until the end of World War II. Photographs, pamphlets, letters and reports from this Yeshivah are shown on shelf one of the display. * * * Just as the Rebbe sent increasing numbers of Shluchim throughout the United States, he also sent them to areas in South Africa and in North Africa, especially Morocco, where the educational network "Oholei Yosef Yitzchok - Lubavitch" took firm root. Shelves two and three display photographs of Chabad's educational network in Morocco in its formative years. * * * Many Chassidic families who emigrated from Russia in 1946-7 settled in Australia as early as 1949. The Rebbe instructed them to immediately open yeshivot, and sent a number of Shluchim from New York to assist them. Shelf four displays photographs of these institutions during their formative years. * * * In closing, the unique grandfather clock near the Exhibition entrance is worthy of mention. It was made circa 1890 (5650) by famous clock maker Walter H. Dorphy. This magnificent timepiece shows the phase of moon as it appears in the sky, with a pointer indicating the day of the Hebrew month.