Ksav Yad Kodesh

The responses of the Rebbe that were written in his own handwriting are called by Chassidim Ktav Yad Kodesh (abbreviated as Ktyk), and they relate to them with holy reverence and special fondness.

History

Unlike Chabad Rebbes throughout the generations, the Rebbe [like Admur Hazaken] did not personally write down the Chassidic discourses (maamarim) that he delivered, nor his holy talks (sichos). Regarding this, the handwritten manuscripts available to us are primarily letters and responses written by the Rebbe to various people, brief instructions, and proofread pages.

Throughout the years, the publication of holy responses (maanos kodesh) became increasingly common in various platforms in commemorative booklets from Anash celebrations, and in regular columns in the weekly publications Kfar Chabad and Beis Moshiach.

In addition, other handwritten manuscripts were collected in the series of booklets Tzaddik L'Melech, Dvar Malchus, and others.

Imitation of the Rebbe's Handwriting

The Rebbe testifies that "between Chassidim and their Rebbes, they strive in the style of their letters and their general conduct to resemble their Rebbe," to such an extent that the Chassidim who were appointed to copy the manuscripts and Chassidic discourses strived to imitate in their handwriting the handwriting of the Rebbe, so that many times one can discern to which Rebbe the discourse belongs even without examining its content.

The Rebbe even quoted the Chassidic saying that serves as the source for this conduct, based on the statement of our Sages: "After Hashem your G-d you shall follow - but is it possible for a person to follow the Divine Presence?" - that although it is impossible to 'imitate' the Holy One, blessed be He, a student can indeed imitate his Rebbe.

Collections That Have Been Published

• From the Royal House - Collection of holy responses that were published in the Kfar Chabad weekly by the secretary Rabbi Binyamin Klein. Compiled by the brothers Rabbi Meir Shlomo Lubetzki, Rabbi Shmuel Lubetzki, and Rabbi Dovid Lubetzki.
• From the King's Treasury 3 volumes - Publishing system of the Beis Moshiach weekly, edited by Shraga Krombi, Baruch Bekerman, and Rabbi Shalom Yaakov Chazan.
• Notes from the Rebbe's Desk 3 volumes - Edited by Rabbi Yitzchak Kaplan, 'Mayanosecha' Library, 5776-5778 [2016-2018]
• Collection of Holy Responses - 16 booklets collecting all responses that were published (in various platforms) according to chronological order from 5712-5753 [1952-1993] by "Collection of Holy Manuscripts" editorial (with assistance from the "Mafteach" application). At the beginning of these collections are usually included, for the first time, photographs of the Rebbe's original handwriting.
• From the Rebbe's Pen Beis Moshiach

See Also

• Mugah [Edited]
• Reshimos [Notes]
• Maanos Kodesh [Holy Responses]

Further Reading

• Treasury of Royalty, Mendy Kortes, Kfar Chabad issue #1948 pp. 42-48.

External Links

• Collection of Holy Manuscripts
• Printouts: From the Royal House - 2 • Printout From the Royal House - 4 • Collection of holy writings published in teshuros [mementos], reprint from the book collecting responses published by Rabbi Binyamin Klein
• Rabbi Shmuel Lubetzki, One Who Has Spirit Within Him, in a special issue of 'HaModia' weekly marking 25 years since 3 Tammuz, Erev Shabbos Parshas Chukas 5779 [2019]