Letter (incomplete) handwritten by Rebbetzin Sterna Sarah Schneersohn (without her signature), request to pray at holy sites for the recovery of her husband Rebbe Rashab of Lubavitch. [Addressed to R. Mordechai Dov Ber Slonim of Hebron, ca. 1803-1810]. With a letter handwritten by R. Shneur Zalman Slonim. Yaffo, [ca. same period].
Leaf of a letter from Rebbetzin Sterna Sarah Schneersohn, written on one side. In the letter, the Rebbetzin inquires of the wellbeing of her elderly uncle R. Mordechai Dov Ber Slonim of Hebron (son of Rebbetzin Menucha Rachel) and of his family, and asks them to pray at holy sites for the recovery of her husband Rebbe Rashab. She relates that he has become very weak, "may G-d have mercy on him in the merit of our holy fathers", and bring him a speedy recovery, since his health affects many Jews. The end of the letter is lacking.
On the verso of the leaf is a letter handwritten and signed by R. Shneur Zalman Slonim, rabbi of the Chabad community in Yaffo (son of the recipient of the letter, R. Mordechai Dov Ber), dated "Tuesday, 25th Av, Yaffo".
Rebbetzin Sterna Sarah - fifth Rebbetzin of the Chabad dynasty, wife of Rebbe Rashab and mother of Rebbe Rayatz. Born in 1859 to R. Yosef Yitzchak of Ovruch, son of the Tzemach Tzedek, and to his wife, daughter of R. Yaakov Yisrael of Cherkasy, son-in-law of the Mitteler Rebbe. In 1865, her betrothal to the Rashab was celebrated in the home of her illustrious grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek (the bride and groom were both five years old at the time). The couple were wed some ten years later, in 1875. In 1940, she escaped occupied Warsaw together with her only son Rebbe Rayatz to the United States, where she passed away in 1942. She was renowned for her righteousness and wisdom, and her son the Rayatz established the Beit Sarah network of girls' schools in her memory.
[1] leaf (2 written pages). 21 cm. Fair condition. Stains and wear. Folding marks. Tears to folds, affecting text, repaired with transparent adhesive tape.

Letter of blessings for satisfaction, and wishes for the daughter's wedding, signed by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Addressed to R. Chaim Shalom Segal of Jerusalem. Brooklyn NY, Tammuz 1958.
Typewritten on the Rebbe's official stationery, with his handwritten signature. Additions and corrections in the Rebbe's handwriting.
The beginning of the letter pertains to educational matters, regarding a boy who behaved improperly. The Rebbe reassures that the occurrence would not impact this boy's future, since he would still mature, and become wiser over the years. The Rebbe blesses R. Chaim Shalom: "And may he grow in wisdom… may his wisdom endure through his fear of G-d which precedes it, to the great satisfaction of his parents…".
Further in the letter, the Rebbe congratulates R. Segal for his daughter's betrothal: "May it take place at an auspicious time, and may they build a faithful home in Israel, based on foundations of Torah and mitzvot". The Rebbe further blesses R. Segal that he have the merit to edify many more G-d fearing disciples, who study G-d's Torah (both the revealed and hidden realms), and fulfill the Torah commandments meticulously.
The main part of the letter was first published in Igrot Kodesh, vol. 17, pp. 231-232, with the omission of the name of the recipient and several lines containing personal information. It was reprinted, with the omission of several words at the beginning of the letter, in the booklet Sefer HaTze'etza'im - Teshura of the Segal Family (Bnei Brak 2007, p. 71).
R. Chaim Shalom Segal (1918-1983), recipient of this letter, was an outstanding Torah scholar, a leading Chabad Chassid in Jerusalem. He was closely attached to his teachers Rebbe Rayatz and the Lubavitcher Rebbe. He authored Tosefet Rashi, two parts. He established the Beit Yehuda synagogue in the Mazkeret Moshe neighborhood, Jerusalem, and served as its spiritual mentor.
Aerogram. 30 cm. Good condition. Stains. Minor tears and filing holes, not affecting text. Folding marks.

Letter of blessings, on the occasion of Chag HaGeulah, 12th-13th Tammuz, signed by Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersohn of Lubavitch. Addressed to R. Abba Levin of Kfar Chabad. Brooklyn NY, Tammuz 1959.
Typewritten on the Rebbe's official stationery, with his handwritten signature and the addition of one word handwritten by the Rebbe.
This letter is termed in Chabad a "public-private letter" - a letter which is sent concurrently to several people, with the occasional addition of several words customizing it to the recipient.
This letter was written on the occasion of Chag HaGeulah - 12th-13th Tammuz, holiday commemorating the liberation of the Rebbe's father-in-law - Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, from the Soviet imprisonment. The Rebbe writes that through the power of his father-in-law's sacrifice, he expects to see results "in those very same areas for which he risked his life… the dissemination Judaism and Chassidism in particular". At the end of the letter, the Rebbe blesses: "May G-d, the Shepherd of Israel, shine His Face upon us and redeem us from all disturbances, and fulfill all the above in true abundance, both material and spiritual".
Following the word "BiVracha" ("With blessings"), the Rebbe added in his handwriting: "For good news".
At the beginning of the letter, several typewritten lines were added, including the name of the recipient, and confirmation of receipt of his letter.
This letter was printed in Likutei Sichot, vol. 23, and in other places.
Aerogram. 30 cm. Good condition. Folding marks.