Interesting Letter from Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneerson - Regarding the Leadership of Lubavitch Chassidism After ...

Interesting Letter from Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneerson - Regarding the Leadership of Lubavitch Chassidism After the Passing of Her Husband the Rayatz - 1950
Interesting letter from Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneerson, regarding the continuation of the leadership of Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidism after the passing of her husband, the Rayatz of Lubavitch. Sent to Chabad rabbis and chassidim in Jerusalem. Brooklyn, NY, Tishrei 1950. Letter in Yiddish, typewritten on the official stationery of Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneerson and bearing her signature. In this letter, dated 13th Tishrei, the Rebbetzin writes: "I have received your letter of 26th Menachem Av. The unity among our friends and their fierce determination that the golden dynasty should not be broken are a small consolation for me. However, unfortunately, due to reasons that I cannot divulge here, I cannot personally get involved in this matter. The chassidim shall proceed as they see fit. I wish all a Gmar Chatima Tova for a year of blessing and peace". At the end of the letter, the rebbetzin signs: "Nechama Dina Schneerson". This letter was written after the passing of her husband, the Rebbe the Rayatz of Lubavitch, in the backdrop of the tension in the Lubavitch court during the year of mourning (10th Shevat 1950 - 10th Shevat 1951) in regard to the continuation of the leadership. There were those who supported her younger son-in-law, Rebbe Menachem Mendel, and those who were devoted to her elder son-in-law, his brother-in-law R. Shemarya Gur-Aryeh. Apparently, the Rebbetzin was asked about her inclination in this matter, and avoiding taking sides, she diplomatically replied that she cannot personally get involved in the issue and the Chassidim will have to proceed to the best of their understanding. Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneerson (1882-1971), wife of the Rebbe Rayatz, was the daughter of R. Avraham Schneerson of Chişinău (Kishinev), son of Rebbe Yisrael Noach of Nizhyn, son of the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch. She wed the Rayatz in Elul 1897, and was devotedly involved in the monumental activities of her husband. After her husband's imprisonment in 1927 by the communists, she wisely and courageously steered the procedures that led to his release, at the risk of her own life. After her death, she was eulogized with the following description: "…Her personality contained the traits of the traditional pious Chassidic Rebbetzin, hand in hand with being an intelligent woman who understood the spirit of changing times…". [1] leaf. 28 cm. Good condition. Stains. Folding marks. Filing holes.