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.