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Manuscript produced by various copyists (Chabad "bichel"), transcripts of Chassidic discourses delivered and written by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn – the Tzemach Tzedek of Lubavitch, in 1835-1845. [Lubavitch (Lyubavichi)? before Nissan 1866].
Index of discourses at the beginning of the "bichel".
This "bichel" was evidently produced in the lifetime of the Tzemach Tzedek (no later than Nissan 1866), since the rebbe is referred to in several places as amongst the living.
The discourses beginning on pp. 77a and 139a were presumably never printed. Some of the other discourses included in this "bichel" may also have never been printed.
Stamp of "Z.V. son of R. Yisrael Yogman" on several leaves.
[136] leaves (written on both sides). Lacking 7 leaves. Unbound leaves (placed in a ring binder). 22 cm. Most leaves in good condition. Several leaves in fair condition. Stains and wear. Tears and worming.
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The Chabad "Bichel"
From ca. 1790 onwards, for close to one hundred and fifty years, the Chabad "bichel" was an integral part of Chabad life in Belarus (Reisin). Researcher and bibliographer R. Chaim Lieberman describes the development of the "bichel" and its distribution in one of his essays:
"…Chabad set up a system of copyists or writers ("schreiber" in Chabad terminology). First in Liozna, birthplace of Chabad Chassidut, then in Liadi… and later in Lubavitch… there the copyists sat and transcribed the teachings of the rebbe, which he had given over earlier to his Chassidim…
On Shabbatot and festivals, and occasionally on weekdays as well, the rebbe would deliver discourses to the Chassidim. After Shabbat and Yom Tov, the rebbe would give his own handwritten notes of the discourse to the main copyist. The latter would copy it, return the manuscript to the rebbe and keep the copy, of which he would then make further copies, and sell them to the Chassidim. If he did not manage to supply all the required copies, and the Chassidim were rushing to return to their towns, he would give a copy to the secondary copyist, who would also produce copies and sell them. A Chassid who could not afford to buy a copy would copy it himself.
Upon returning home with a new discourse, a chassid was met by the awaiting townspeople, and was compelled to allow them each to copy the discourse… A Chassid who over the course of time accumulated a significant number of discourses, would have them bound, and thus the "bichel" was born, and in this way, over the years, Chassidim would amass a library of Chassidic discourses…" (Ohel Rachel, III, p. 26).
Zalman Shazar, third president of the State of Israel, who came from a Chabad home, dedicated a special chapter in his memoirs to his father's library, and writes: "High up on the bookcase was a special bundle, containing unbound booklets of Dach (Divrei Elohim Chaim). These were booklets of Chassidic teachings, written by copyists, which my grandfather would bring back from the court of the Rebbe in Liadi, or the 'choizer' every year on his traditional visit, and my grandfather would study them with my father, while I sat and listened. How engraved in my heart were those glowing, gem-like letters..." (Kochvei Boker, pp. 9-16).