Igros Kodesh (The Rebbe)

"Igros Kodesh" is the name of dozens of volumes (as of 5785/2025, 39 volumes have been published) containing over ten thousand letters from the Rebbe to individuals and communities. This series began to be published under the Rebbe's instruction, who requested to collect the written responses he gave to questions addressed to him by Jews from all corners of the world, on topics covering all aspects of human life, and to publish them in organized books.

The letters include advice and guidance in divine service, explanations in Kabbalah, Chassidus and revealed Torah, specific advice on various and diverse topics (health, happiness, shalom bayis, and more).

Many Jews today have the custom to direct their questions and requests to the Rebbe by writing a letter and randomly inserting it into one of the volumes of 'Igros Kodesh' and finding advice and blessing there.

Editing of the IgrosEdit

A large portion of the letters were initially printed as an addition to the series "Likkutei Sichos" - when the content of the letters matched the content of the parshios in that volume. In 5747/1987, when no more letters could be found that could be printed as additions to "Likkutei Sichos," members of the 'Vaad Lehafatzas Sichos' approached the Rebbe with a question, whether they could receive additional letters from the secretariat that could be printed (as the Rebbe had instructed in similar cases before, in the publication of volumes 12-13 and in 5743/1983). The Rebbe's instruction was again to collect letters from the secretariat, but when they came to request the Rebbe's permission to print the volume, the Rebbe instructed to print the letters in a separate book - Igros Kodesh. The letters printed in the volumes of "Igros Kodesh" that have appeared (as of 5784/2024) include letters written until 5745/1985 (while the letters in 'Likkutei Sichos' reach even the year 5752/1992).

Most of the letters published in the series are from copies in the secretariat's archive, which was entrusted to Rabbi Shalom Mendel Simpson. A significant contribution was received from the collection of the Vaad Lehafatzas Sichos (which they also received from Rabbi Simpson to add to the volumes of Likkutei Sichos), and additionally, letters were also received from private individuals.

The letters in the volumes of Igros Kodesh are arranged chronologically, according to the date they were written, except for volume 21 in which supplements were added. In some letters, explanatory notes were written in the margins, mostly related to identifying the recipient by the editors. Also, according to the Rebbe's instructions, before transferring them to the series editor, Rabbi Simpson would omit sections that might violate privacy or are not suitable for publication, etc. In additional cases, the editor omitted these parts.

The editing of the series and its publication began in 5747/1987 by the Otzar Hachassidim editorial board. Initially, the editing was managed by Rabbi Shalom Ber Levin, who edited volumes 1-21, and in winter 5754/1994, he transferred the editing to Rabbi Shalom Yaakov Chazan, who had assisted in editing previously, and began to edit volumes 22 and onwards as part of the Otzar Hachassidim editorial board.

At the beginning of several volumes, an introduction was prepared by one of the editors, including a comprehensive overview of the content of the letters in the volume and the historical events behind them.

Purpose of PublicationEdit

At the end of the introduction to volume 12, the publisher wrote:

From the time the Alter Rebbe took upon himself the leadership of Chabad Chassidus, a system of private audiences (yechidus) began, where chassidim would receive instructions and guidance from the Rebbe. When the number of chassidim grew and it became impossible to receive everyone for yechidus, the Liozna regulations were issued, limiting travel to the Alter Rebbe. After several years, the Tanya was published, and in the introduction the Alter Rebbe wrote that this book includes:

"Answers to many questions which all our loyal followers in our country constantly ask for advice... and there is no longer time to respond to each person regarding his question in detail, and forgetfulness is also common, therefore I have recorded all the answers to all the questions."

Similarly, one can say regarding the printing of these letters: For many years, the Rebbe received thousands of people for yechidus, and simultaneously wrote many letters to all corners of the world. Both in yechidus and in letters, answers were given in all areas of life. And now, in recent years when the number of chassidim has grown, and it is no longer possible to continue with the system of 'yechidus', we merit the printing of volumes of Igros Kodesh, through which we will know the Rebbe's opinion on every matter.

The Alter Rebbe continues in his introduction to Tanya: "And whoever's understanding is insufficient to comprehend advice from these booklets should express his concerns to the elders in his city, and they will explain it to him." Similarly, one can say today that those who "make for yourself a Rav" will give their answers based on the Rebbe's words that have been published in the 'Igros Kodesh' series.

Contents of the VolumesEdit

Volume 1 - Letters from 5688-5704 (1928-1944), published in 5747 (1987).
Volume 2 - Letters from 5705-5708 (1945-1948), published in 5747 (1987).
Volume 3 - Letters from 5709-5710 (1949-1950), published in 5747 (1987).
Volume 4 - Letters from 5711 (1951), published in 5748 (1988).
Volume 5 - Letters from 5712 (1952) - first part, published in 5748 (1988).
Volume 6 - Letters from 5712 (1952) - second part, published in 5748 (1988).
Volume 7 - Letters from 5713 (1953), published in 5748 (1988).
Volumes 8-9 - Letters from 5714 (1954), Volume 8 published in 5748 (1988) and Volume 9 in 5749 (1989).
Volumes 10-11 - Letters from 5715 (1955), published in 5749 (1989).
Volumes 12-13 - Letters from 5716 (1956), published in 5749 (1989).
Volumes 14-15 - Letters from 5717 (1957), Volume 14 published in 5749 (1989), and Volume 15 in 5750 (1990).
Volumes 16-17 - Letters from 5718 (1958), published in 5750 (1990).
Volume 18 - Letters from 5719 (1959), published in 5750 (1990).
Volume 19 - Letters from 5720 (1960), published in 5751 (1991).
Volume 20 - Letters from 5721 (1961) and general index, published in 5752 (1992).
Volume 21 - Supplements, letters omitted from volumes 1-20, published in 5753 (1993).
Volume 22 - Letters from 5722-5723 (1962-1963), published in 5754 (1994).
Volume 23 - Letters from 5724-5725 (1964-1965), published in 5758 (1998).
Volume 24 - Letters from 5726-5727 (1966-1967), published in 5779 (2019).
Volume 25 - Letters from 5728-5729 (1968-1969), published in 5759 (1999).
Volume 26 - Letters from 5730-5731 (1970-1971), published in 5759 (1999).
Volume 27 - Letters from 5732-5733 (1972-1973), published in 5763 (2003).
Volume 28 - Letters from 5734-5735 (1974-1975), published in 5764 (2004).
Volume 29 - Letters from 5736-5737 (1976-1977), published in [clarification needed].
Volume 30 - Letters from 5738 (1978), published in 5778 (2018).
Volume 31 - Letters from 5739 (1979), published in 5781 (2021).
Volume 32 - Letters from 5740 (1980), published in 5781 (2021).
Volume 33 - Letters from 5741 (1981), published in 5782 (2022).
Volume 34 - Letters from 5742 (1982), published in 5783 (2023).
Volume 35 - Letters from 5743 (1983), published in 5784 (2024).
Volume 36 - Letters from 5744 (1984), published in 5784 (2024).
Volume 37 - Letters from 5745 (1985), published in 5784 (2024).
Volume 38 - Letters from 5746 (1986), published on 19 Kislev 5785 (2024).
Volume 39 - Letters from 5747 (1987), published on 25 Adar 5785 (2024).

Special Expressions of the RebbeEdit

After several volumes of "Igrot Kodesh" were printed, when the secretary Rabbi Shalom Mendel Simpson presented the Rebbe with a collection of letters he had taken from the archive to send to print, the Rebbe turned to him and asked: "Oib m'kocht zich in di igrot?" [= Are people passionately engaged in studying the letters?] R' Shalom Mendel answered that he heard from his son, who was studying at the yeshiva in Morristown at that time, that the bochurim (students) there had established a regular study schedule of 'Igrot Kodesh'. The Rebbe said to me: "Bochurim? Bochurim farshtei ich! Ober vos tut zich mit yungeleit?" [= Bochurim, I understand! But what's happening with the married men?]

When the tenth volume of Igrot Kodesh was published, the Rebbe inquired why no celebration was being held, and on that occasion, a large event was arranged to mark the publication of the volume.

TranslationsEdit

Since many of the letters in the series were originally written in Yiddish, several translations have been published in other languages.

Translation to Lashon Hakodesh (Hebrew)Edit

In the year 5781 (2021), Otzar HaChassidim published three volumes of Igrot Kodesh - in free translation to Lashon Hakodesh, which include translations of letters from volumes 1-31 into Lashon Hakodesh. At the beginning of each letter appears the original letter number and below it the location of the letter in the original volume.

Another series currently consisting of two volumes is called Letters from the Rebbe, which contains letters the Rebbe sent in English translated into Lashon Hakodesh. The series is published by Otzar Sifrei Lubavitch.

Translation to EnglishEdit

An additional "Igrot Kodesh" series in English translation. So far, eight volumes have been published by the Sichos In English committee, translated by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger. The introduction to each volume includes an overview of the central events during those years.

Additional PublicationsEdit

Igros Kodesh on Matters of Geulah and MoshiachEdit

Expanded entry - Igros Kodesh on Matters of Geulah and Moshiach

From the entire "Igros" series (as well as from teshuros and bulletins published over the years), letters dealing with matters of Geulah and Moshiach were collected into the book "Igros Kodesh on Matters of Geulah and Moshiach."

The letters were collected and translated by R' Levi Yitzchak Niselvich and Hatomim Guy Betzalel Kantor, with the assistance of Rabbi Shimon Weitzhandler and R' Shmuel Elazar Niselvich.

Moreh L'Dor Navoch (Guide for a Confused Generation)Edit

Expanded entry - Moreh L'Dor Navoch

This series, comprising three volumes, contains a collection of letters translated from English from the archives of Rabbi Nissan Mindel, which were published over the years in the Kfar Chabad weekly magazine. The uniqueness of this series is its emphasis on letters in which the Rebbe explains various topics in faith and science. So far, three volumes have been published, including most of the letters that were published in the Kfar Chabad newspaper until 5765 (2005).

Responsa Menachem Meshiv NafshiEdit

Expanded entry - Responsa Menachem Meshiv Nafshi

In 5772 (2012), 'Responsa Menachem Meshiv Nafshi' was published, edited by Rabbi Shimon Weitzhandler, which includes a collection from the Igros Kodesh series of letters with Torah content, in which the Rebbe discussed various halachic topics with gedolei Yisroel (Torah luminaries). The responsa includes two volumes in an elegant album format, and at the bottom of the pages, brief biographies of the Torah luminaries who corresponded with the Rebbe are presented.

Igros Kodesh Pocket EditionEdit

In 5780 (2020), volumes 25-30 of Igros Kodesh were published, and in 5781 (2021), volumes 1-23 were published in pocket format by Kehot Publication Society.

Additionally, in 5783 (2023), volumes 11-12 were published in a special pocket edition with the Rebbe's picture on the cover.

Writing to the Rebbe through Igrot KodeshEdit

Expanded article - Writing to the Rebbe through Igrot Kodesh

Many Jews today strengthen their connection to the Rebbe, ask questions, and seek advice and blessings in all areas of life by turning to the Rebbe through the Igrot Kodesh (Holy Letters).

This practice has its roots and source in the Rebbe's teachings:

"As is known, there is a custom among many Jews - both Torah scholars and ordinary people, as well as women - that before undertaking a certain action, they open a holy book and look at the place where the book opened and where their eyes first fall (not intentionally, as they wanted to see where it would open according to Divine Providence), and based on this they made decisions regarding practical matters. For example, when the book opened to a verse like 'You shall surely open' or 'You shall surely rejoice,' and similar phrases, it was for them a 'sign from above' that there would be great success in what they were about to do, or they understood from the sign that they should refrain from doing something, or postpone it until later, and so forth." — Hitva'aduyot 5749, Vol. 1, p. 309

Writing to the Rebbe is done by writing the request or question on a piece of paper. The paper is then inserted randomly into one of the volumes of Igrot Kodesh. At the random place where the paper was inserted, those who approach see a response to their request or guidance when needed. It is customary that before writing to the Rebbe, one makes a good resolution, such as a commitment to improve in observing a mitzvah or an additional enhancement in Jewish customs.

Hundreds and thousands of stories of revealed miracles occur through writing via the Igrot Kodesh, and these are collected in several books. Additionally, the weekly publication "Sichat HaGeulah" publishes a miracle story each week that occurred through the Rebbe's responses via the Igrot Kodesh.

The Rebbe's Letters in EnglishEdit

In addition to the Igrot Kodesh series, two series of the Rebbe's letters originally written in English have been published:

The first series is called "Letters of the Rebbe," published by Otzar Sifrei Lubavitch and includes eight volumes (as of 5783/2023). This series only prints letters that were received from the addressees and are known with certainty to have been sent after proofreading and signing. Volume 2 has been translated into Hebrew.

The second series is called "The Letter & The Spirit," which includes five volumes (as of 5781/2021). The first volume was edited by the Rebbe's secretary, Rabbi Nissan Mindel, and published by Kehot Publication Society. The additional four volumes were edited by his daughter Mrs. Freida and her husband Rabbi Shalom Dovber Shapiro and published under their direction. These letters were collected from the first drafts preserved by Rabbi Nissan Mindel and were not proofread by the Rebbe.

In addition, the Rebbe's secretary Rabbi Shalom Mendel Simpson, together with his son Rabbi Avraham, worked for several years on sorting and arranging the Rebbe's English letters from the secretariat archives to publish them in a series of books, but this series has not yet been realized.

For Further ReadingEdit

Beit Moshiach issue 1307 pp. 42-45
The Rebbe's Advice Will Guide Me
Levi Shmotkin, Letters for Life, 12 recurring principles in the Rebbe's letters as guidance for life, published by Kehot [5777/2017] [5778/2018]

External LinksEdit

Volumes of 'Igrot Kodesh'Edit

All volumes of 'Igrot Kodesh' organized in a Drive folder - for viewing and download
Volumes 1-22, Otzaro Shel Moshiach website containing page images + search capability
Volumes 25-30 on Rebbe Drive website (missing volume 29)
28 Volumes 1-28, text format - Chabad Library website
Volumes 1-28 book format, shared site of "Chabad Library" with "HebrewBooks"
Indexes to volumes 1-20, shared site of "Chabad Library" with "HebrewBooks"

The book "Precious Stones" for the Rebbe

Two volumes of Igrot Melech: Volume 1 - Tishrei-Adar months • Volume 2 - Nissan-Elul months

Translated Igrot KodeshEdit

Volume 1 - Holy Letters from original volumes 1-11
Volume 2 - Holy Letters from original volumes 12-23
Volume 3 - Holy Letters from original volumes 24-31
Volumes 1-23 - Igrot Kodesh translated into Russian
Igrot Kodesh translated by Kehot branch in the Holy Land: Part 1 (volumes 1-6), Part 2 (volumes 7-15), Part 3 (volumes 16-23), Part 4 (volumes 24-30)

Writing to the Rebbe through 'Igrot Kodesh'Edit

Igrot Kodesh Center - Write and receive blessings (site operates with nominal fee)
Website for writing to the Rebbe through Igrot Kodesh

MiscellaneousEdit

Hillel Mondshine, 'Stories, Sayings, Parables and Aphorisms', collected from Igrot Kodesh volumes. Commemorative publication from Bar Mitzvah celebration of Menachem Mendel Mondshine, 17 Kislev 5768/2007
Igrot Kodesh of the Rebbe - Behind the Scenes: Responses and Guidance from the Rebbe during the printing of Igrot Kodesh, Beit Moshiach weekly issue 894
'Beit Moshiach' reveals the instructions for printing Igrot Kodesh
Rabbi Shalom DovBer Levin, The 'Igrot Kodesh' Series, on the Chabad Torah for Yeshiva Students website
Igrot Kodesh - General Overview, on the Chabad Torah for Yeshiva Students website