Sacred Letter from the Admo"r Rabbi Shmaryahu Noach of Broisk-Kapust Related to the Day-of-Rest Decree in Russia

Sacred Letter from the Admo"r Rabbi Shmaryahu Noach of Broisk-Kapust Related to the Day-of-Rest Decree in Russia

Sacred letter sent by the Admo"r of Kapust (Chaba"d) Rabbi Shmaryahu Noach Schneerson of Broisk to Baron David Ginzburg to lobby the Russian government about the Day-of-Rest decree.

The government issued a law that shops and businesses close on Sundays. Now our Jewish brethren will have to withstand the test of having their businesses closed for two days, Shabbat and Sunday, and many will not be able to withstand this test of closing their businesses for two days, which will cause mass Shabbat desecration. Those who do withstand the test will have their livelihood affected by having their businesses closed for two days each week.

In this letter, the Admo"r asks the famous Jewish baron, Mr. David Ginzburg, to exert his influence in the Duma (Russian government) to try and delay or stay the matter, or, alternatively, find a way for the law to allow shops to be open just a few hours, as done in some other places, and this will help many observe their religion in Russia.

This letter was printed in the Heichal HaBesh"t anthology, issue 22 (Nissan 2008) from an inaccurate transcript; this is the actual manuscript.

Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the Admo"r Rabbi Shmaryahu Noach Shneurson of Broisk-Kapust.

[1] double leaf. Entirely handwritten and signed by him. 18 lines. Size: 13x21 cm. Fold marks. Very fine condition.