™s a deep dive into the world of Chabad-Lubavitch, and frankly, a historian’s dream.
Unearthing Chabad history: A New Collection of Rare Documents
Table of Contents
Ginazya, compiled by Yisroel and Shlomo Barda, brings together over fifty issues of the Ginazya journal, released over the past two years, into a single, meticulously organized resource. Think of it as a ancient archive, finally accessible in a cohesive format.
- The two-volume set Ginazya compiles historical documents related to the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.
- It includes letters from multiple Rebbeim, early Chassidim, and key figures in Chabad history.
- The collection covers a broad range of topics, from rabbinical appointments to life under Soviet rule.
- The work aims to provide historical context for understanding the development of Chabad Chassidus.
Q: What makes Ginazya different from other Chabad literature?
A: While Chabad boasts a vast library of theological works and biographies, Ginazya focuses specifically on primary source documents—letters, records, and contemporary accounts—offering a unique window into the past.
Chabad literature is, to put it mildly, extensive. Thousands of titles, spanning centuries, cover everything from core theological texts to biographical accounts. But in recent years, a new emphasis has emerged: historical research grounded in primary sources.It’s not just about remembering the past, but understanding the context in which Chabad Chassidus flourished.
While historical records have always been included in Chabad publications—like the biographical details in Beis Rebbe—they frequently enough served a specific purpose. The new collection takes a broader approach, examining historical documents as part of comprehensive research, mirroring similar efforts in journals like Migdal Oz, Hamashpia, Kerem Chabad, and Oholei Lubavitch.
The first volume opens with correspondence from the Mitteler Rebbe, letters from the Frierdiker Rebbe, and excerpts from private audiences (yechiduyos) with the Rebbe Rashab and the Frierdiker Rebbe. It’s a direct line to the thoughts and concerns of these influential leaders.
Delving into the Rebbeim’s History
The second section, “The History of our rebbeim,†is particularly rich. It includes an annotated communal register from Liozna, documents detailing the life of the frierdiker Rebbe, a letter of blessing from the Rebbe of Chernobyl, and even the appointment document for the rabbinate of Moscow. There are also records from the period of imprisonment and departure from Russia,alongside accounts of visits to towns in Polish Lithuania.
Beyond the Rebbeim themselves, Ginazya sheds light on the early Chassidim. Documents from R. Tzadok of Kopust, R.Yechezkel Sirkin, the Rov of Kopust, and records concerning the Lavut family offer glimpses into the lives of those who shaped the movement. Letters from R. Yehudah Leib Schneersohn and a collection of materials related to R. Shmuel Mordechai Treinin are also included.
Two sections focus on regional Chabad history: life in the Soviet Union and the communities in Poland and Lithuania. These sections explore the challenges and triumphs of Chabad rabbonim, the study of Chassidus, and the work of the Vaad Hayeshivos in Vilna.
Letters and Personal Accounts
The collection also features a wealth of personal correspondence. The letters of R. Elle Chaim Althoyz of Riga, R. Hillel Zlatopolsky from Paris, and R. Shoiel Ber Zisslin provide intimate insights into the lives of Chassidim across Europe. A unique section is dedicated to a ledger listing overseas gabbaim of Colel Chabad, a valuable resource for genealogical research.
Rounding out the collection are notes and stories from figures like R.Bereh Volf Kozhevnikov, lists of students from Tomchei Temimim, excerpts from the notebooks of the shadar R. Yechiel Halperin, and notes from Rebbetzin nechama Dina. The book concludes with memoirs, including recollections from R. Yitzchak Aharon Goldin and Yeshaya Gartner, offering vivid accounts of life during the Rebbe’s stay in Nice.
Each document is accompanied by contextual introductions, illuminating footnotes, translations from Yiddish and other languages, and high-quality reproductions of the originals. Ginazya is intended for students of Chabad history, those interested in genealogy, and anyone who appreciates a good story.
Ginazya: A Periodical for Publishing Archival Documents and Historical Records from the Annals of Chabad Chassidus
Editors: Yisroel Barda, Shlomo Barda
Published by Machon Merchav
Volume I: 532 pages; Volume II: 492 pages
Volume I is available for purchase at Amazon. Volume II is also available at Amazon. For purchases in Eretz Yisroel,visit Bookpod for Volume I and Bookpod for Volume II.
What do you think? Will this collection rewrite our understanding of Chabad history?
