Background:
A central part of the Nesius of the Chabad Rebbeim, starting from the Alter Rebbe, was accumulating Seforim for the Chabad library. It is well known that the library of Agudas Chasidei Chabad at 770 Eastern Parkway, contains many Seforim and Kisvei Yad from our Rebbeim. Less commonly known is that 12,000+ sacred Seforim, and 25,000+ holy pages of Kisvei Yad are still being held captive by the Russian government, after being looted by the Nazi’s, and stolen by the Russians. Many of these Seforim include Divine words of Chassidus (the deepest dimension of the Torah) that we have never seen nor learnt.
What our Rebbeim said about these stolen Seforim:
In a letter to our Rebbe, the Friediker Rebbe referred to the current state of the sacred Seforim as a Chilul Hashem!
The Rebbe explained by a Farbengen ‘The Seforim and manuscripts are more than just books. The life of a Rebbe is spiritual - his Ahava, Yirah, Emunah. These spiritual qualities are sourced and present inside the Seforim of our Rebbeim. This means that while the Seforim are in exile, our rebbeim are also in exile. We need to see to it that the Frierdiker Rebbe gains back all aspects of his life!
Our Rebbe described this as a case of actual Pidyon Shvuyim. The Rebbe taught by a farbrengen that no matter how well a prisoner is treated, he still longs to return home. The same applies with these precious Seforim, no matter how well they are being treated by the Russians, they are still in a state of imprisonment and long to return home.
In a fascinating letter addressed to an individual involved in retrieving the Seforim,the Rebbe describes his deep feelings about the matter “It is not easy to express in words, much less in writing, very deep personal feelings. The Friediker Rebbe had a very special, profound and soulful attachment to them. Many of them represent the heart and soul of the sacred Chabad literature. You can therefore well understand how deeply moved I was, and will always be, about your great and noble endeavor in volunteering your time and effort and prestige to “bring home” these sacred manuscripts and books”.
On a few other occasions the Rebbe said clearly that [the coming of] Moshiach is dependent on the Pidyon of the Seforim (in Russia)!
Furthermore, the Rebbe made it clear that the freedom of the Seforim of ה’ טבת is not complete until all the rest of the stolen Seforim are freed and returned to their proper place.
What can I do to help this important mission?
The Rebbe demanded that “Each person put himself to the task with all his ability, עד כדי מסירת נפש, to redeem the Seforim from their exile and captivity.”
The Rebbe encouraged everyone to help free the Seforim by giving Tzedakah, quoting the words - ‘ושביה בצדקה’. Giving Tzedakah, the rebbe explained, is a great Mitzvah and great merit for anyone who is involved in saving the Seforim.
The rebbe also told us that “It is impossible to overstate the great Zechus that you have in the “Pidyon Shvuim” of these manuscripts and books. By helping you will give Nachas Ruach to the holy Neshamos of our rebbeim.’
