A Special Segulah: The original ‘gift’ in honor of the wedding of the Admor of Chabad Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson with Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, daughter of the Rebbe Rayatz. Warsaw, 1928
Two historical items from the wedding of the Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, daughter of the Rebbe Rayatz:
1) An original copy of the Alter Rebbe’s letter, sent as a ‘gift’ on the occasion of the wedding.
2) A lithographic printing of the letter of the Rebbe Rayatz – a leaflet of [2] pages.
On the right page there is the Rebbe’s letter "Le’zichron Tov", and on the left is "The Parasha of this Holy Letter" – an explanation and historical background for understanding the reason for sending the Alter Rebbe’s letter. (It was regarding the dispute between the chasidim and the misnagdim in Vilna, about which the Alter Rebbe wrote a request to avoid controversy and to act peacefully).
In the letter attached by the Rebbe Rayatz, he writes:
"…for the marriage of my daughter the bride, Chaya Mushka, to the chassan, Rabbi Menachem Mendel. I hereby honor all those who take part in our joyous affair, who came from far and near, with the gift herein: a copy of the manuscript of our great Rebbe, which will be a segulah for good luck in all matters …. And may all who love Torah live with joy and blessing, Yosef Yitzchak."
The present gift is the first "gift" in the history of Chabad, on the occasion of the wedding of the person who would later become the seventh Rebbe of Lubavitch. Since then, Chabad chasidim have been handing out pamphlets as "gifts" at their weddings. The gift was distributed at the wedding itself (and some were sent by mail).
Warsaw, 14 Kislev, 1928.
2 leaves (3 pages).
Size of the facsimile of the Alter Rebbe’s letter: 15.5x 24.5cm.
Size of the Letter of the Rebbe: 12x 15cm (each page).
Condition: Folding marks with small tears and two punctures.
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"This is the day that connected me with you and you with me."
The Rebbe’s and Rebbetzin’s marriage was a historic event in Lubavitch history. The wedding took place on 14 Kislev 1929 "at the fifth hour", in the courtyard of the ‘Tomchei Temimim’ yeshiva in the capital Warsaw, in the presence of crowds of Chabad chasidim, Rebbes and rabbis of Poland.
This historic occasion marked the seventh link in the golden chain of the dynasty of Chabad Rebbes throughout the generations.
In a conversation on his anniversary many years later, on 14 Kislev 1954, the Rebbe stated that this was the day that connected “me with you and you with me” and that “together we will work hard and bring the complete redemption”. (Toras Menachem 81, page 206)
