2 Cheshvan, 5702

This is the letter the Frierdike Rebbe sent each of his nine Shluchim upon their arrival in Montreal.

Reb Volf and Neginah

Anyone who learnt in Montreal will remember how Reb Volf would be medayek in the singing of nigunim, often quoting the vort, that if you don't have a chush in neginah you can't have a chush in Chassidus, he would explain that it doesn't mean you have to have a good voice (which he didn't have) but the ability to differentiate the notes and understand the nigun. He had a repertoire of niggunim that are not usually sung anywhere else as well as original compositions of his own, the most famous of which was affectionately known as 'The Quebec'er Nigun'.

At the farbrengen of Lag B'omer 5711 the Rebbe motioned to Reb Volf and said to him 'Nu, du bist doch a baal menagen, zing a nigun.'

When I was in yeshiva I would hear rumours that Reb Volf played the violin and in the olden days would actually play at farbrengens. I was curious so I decided to ask him about it. Since he was known to to try and keep things private I can't be sure that what he told me was the whole truth, however, this is what he said. For reasons he didn't wish to share he was advised to learn music as a form of therapy so he took lessons in the violin, the lessons lasted for about 7 months after which he gave it up as he felt he didn't have the time, he said that his teacher felt that he learnt in 7 months what others would take years to grasp (the only time I had ever felt he was bragging) but since then he has never played.

If anyone has zichronos relating to neginah please share in the comments.

Boruch Dayan Hoemes

This week we received the sad news of the passing of Reb Volf Greenglass. In truth, he was the inspiration behind this blog because he taught me the geshmak of a ksav yad and any inyan that is shayach to Rabboseinu Nesieinu. I haven't posted for a long time, but feel that now is the time to get back in the swing of things. There is so much to say about this great man and I hope over the next few weeks to share with you letters from the Rebbe to him as well as stories and experiences I had with him.

As a first instalment here is a ksav yad of the Rebbe on the nusach hamatzeivah of Reb Volf's wife who passed away on 8 Teves 5742. My copy is not that clear but it says that in addition to writing 'Reb' before Reb Volf's name it should say 'HaRav HaChosid Mashpia DeTomchei Tmimim HaTomim' and on condition that the Chevra Kadisha agree.

I once mentioned this ksav to Reb Volf and in his typically humble way laughed back at me and said 'abi es zol shtayen oifen matzeivah' in a tone that suggested that he thought nothing of it.

Hikitzu veranenu shoichney ofor b'hisgalus moshicheinu bekorov mamosh.

12 Nissan 5707

Here is a letter from R' Shmuel Zalmanov to rabbonim on behalf of Vaad Shomrei Shabbos encouraging them to speak about shmiras shabbos in their shuls and to establish shiurim in hilchos shabbos.

11 Nissan 5721

Here is a letter from the Rebbe to R' Yaakov Nosson Rubin dated 11 Nissan 5721.

11 Nissan 5726

Here is a letter from the Rebbe to R' Moshe Yitzchok Hecht dated 11 Nissan 5726.

Purim 5689

Here is a hanocho of a sicha of the Frierdike Rebbe from Purim 5689. Most of the details are printed in Sefer Hasichos, however, there are some extra geshmake nekudos that were not printed.

A Freilichen Purim

Video of Rebbe: Early Years

Sorry

I'm sorry for the lack of posts recently. My scanner has 'retired' and I haven't got round to employing a new one.

I'm hoping to have things sorted out in time for next week.

5710

Here is a letter from the Rebbe from before Pesach 5710 with strong expressions about hiskashrus.

Bosi Legani 5711

Here are three pages of a hanocho of the Rebbe's first maamer Bosi Legani 5711. If anyone has the rest of the pages I would be truly grateful if you would share it with me.

Here is part of a hanocho of a sicho of the Frierdike Rebbe. If you know when it is from please let me know in the comments.

Simchas Torah 5695

Here is a hanocho of a sicho of the Frierdike Rebbe from Simchas Torah 5695. Is it printed anywhere?

Erev Shabbos R'C Shevat 5747

Here is an English letter from the Rebbe with ksav yad to the participants in the International Week of the Jewish Woman dated Erev Shabbos Kodesh, Rosh Chodesh Shevat 5747.

R 'Chatche Feigin Letter

Here is the end of a letter written by R' Chatche Feigin to a Shadar in Eretz Yisroel. If someone has the first half of the letter and would be willing to share it with us I would be most grateful.

Stories from Rebbetzin Chana

In honour of 28 Teves here is a compilation of stories told by Rebbetzin Chana. If anyone knows who wrote this please let me know in the comments.

27 Teves 5717

Here is a letter from the Rebbe to R' Hershl Shusterman dated 27 Teves 5717 with some ksav yad kodesh. The letter is printed in Igros Kodesh v.14 p. 313.

26 Teves 5717

Here is an English letter from the Rebbe dated 26 Teves 5717 regarding the expansion of someone's business.

18 Teves, 5723

Here is an interesting letter from Rabbi Chadakov to R' Aron Dov Sufrin making correcitons to a pamphlet he was preparing about the Alter Rebbe. It was previously printed by the family.

6 Teves 5704

Here is a letter from the Frierdike Rebbe to R' Hershl Shusterman dated 6 Teves 5704 about a range of issues. There is concern for an individual child observing kashrus and a detailed look at the running of Shabbos services amongst other things.