Kuntres Ahavas Yisroel

Kuntres Ahavas Yisroel is a compilation that gathers the foundations of the mitzvah of loving fellow Jews from Torah and Chassidic teachings. The Rebbe distributed this kuntres several times: to mashpi'im and shluchim during the years 5737-5740, and to the community of Anash and Temimim on 11 Nissan 5749.

Content of the Kuntres

The kuntres includes a collection of verses, sayings of our Sages, as well as quotations from the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezritch, and our Rebbeim, the leaders of Chabad throughout the generations, regarding the mitzvah of Ahavas Yisroel. Following this is the entry "Ahavas Yisroel" from "Sefer Ha'arachim." The Rebbe was personally involved in the detailed editing of this compilation.

Distribution by the Rebbe

To Mashpi'im

On 19 Kislev 5737, the Rebbe first encouraged the appointment of 'mashpi'im' in every location, and following this, the Rebbe spoke in the weeks afterward about the manner and order of appointing mashpi'im, their obligations and privileges. About three months later, on the eve of 28 Adar, the Rebbe delivered a special talk on this topic. During the talk, after thanking communities where mashpi'im had already been appointed and were carrying out their work properly and diligently, the Rebbe said that since the foundation of the entire Torah, its influence and results, must be based on "V'ahavta l'reacha kamocha" (love your fellow as yourself) - it is understood that the mashpi'im (both male and female) need to be permeated, with greater intensity and strength, in knowing and recognizing the concept of Ahavas Yisroel.

Therefore, the Rebbe announced, they would print, without making a vow, the kuntres 'Ahavas Yisroel' in a special edition for the male and female mashpi'im.

"Regarding actual implementation, those who have already been appointed as mashpi'im, both men and women, and have already begun to fulfill their role as mashpi'im... will receive the kuntres with my signature on each one. And since everything needs to be organized, each person whom many (meaning at least three Jews) have appointed as a mashpi'a (male or female) - and especially those who have already begun to properly fulfill their role as mashpi'im - should submit their name and address to the secretariat, along with the name of the place (or people) where they were appointed as a mashpi'a, and after printing, the above-mentioned kuntres will be sent to them, without making a vow."

Shortly thereafter, the kuntres was printed, and the Rebbe personally handled its presentation to official 'mashpi'im', or to those engaged in influence in one way or another (in addition to those who merited to receive it through the 'secretariat'). The Rebbe signed the kuntreisim either at the beginning or at the end of the compilation.

Facts About Its Distribution

1. On Sunday, 8 Tevet 5738 (December 18, 1977), after Mincha prayers in the "Lower Gan Eden," Rabbi Yeshayahu Hertzel - the rabbi of Kfar Tavor, stood together with his son. The Rebbe gave him the Ahavas Yisrael kuntres (with his holy signature) - saying: "Since you are a mashpia and this is a special edition for mashpi'im that includes my signature and blessings..."
2. On Tuesday, 2 Iyar 5738 (May 9, 1978), when the Rebbe arrived at 770, Rabbi David Shkolnik from Nachalat Har Chabad was standing near the "Lower Gan Eden." The Rebbe asked him if he was traveling today, and when he answered affirmatively, the Rebbe told him to come inside (to the "Lower Gan Eden"). There the Rebbe gave him the Ahavas Yisrael kuntres, the mashpi'im edition with his holy signature.
3. On 14 Kislev 5740 (December 4, 1979), the Rebbe wrote to Rabbi Aharon Gold from Kiryat Gat (in the margins of a general-private letter): "With blessing for success in his appointment as a mashpia, and enclosed is the kuntres that is given to those mentioned above (mashpi'im) and [wishing] good tidings."

To Those Who Assisted with the Nichoach Recording

On 21 Adar 5737 (March 11, 1977), the Rebbe called for Chazan Reb Moshe Teleshevsky, who was involved in producing the new Nichoach record, and gave him 70 dollar bills and 70 copies of the Ahavas Yisrael kuntres to distribute to everyone who assisted in producing the recording.

To Student Shluchim

At Ohr Elchanan Los Angeles

On Tuesday, 17 Tevet 5738 (December 27, 1977), the student shluchim to Yeshivas Ohr Elchanan-Chabad in Los Angeles waited for the Rebbe in the "Lower Gan Eden" after he left Mincha prayers, together with the Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Ezra Binyamin Schochet. The Rebbe entered his room and came out holding several Ahavas Yisrael kuntreisim and a bundle of dollars.

At Migdal Ohr in Migdal HaEmek

At the conclusion of the yechidus (in Gan Eden HaTachton) for the student-shluchim to Yeshivas "Migdal Ohr" in Migdal HaEmek, on Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5738 (May 8, 1978), the Rebbe said[4]: "In order to immediately connect this with a special practical matter - since each of you needs to be a mashpia, I will give each of you the 'Kuntres Ahavas Yisrael' that was printed especially for mashpi'im, and that I signed at the end (of the sicha at the end of the) kuntres, and you should utilize it with joy and gladness of heart, and in a manner of continually increasing in light."

To Shluchim

Shluchim to Australia

The shluchim to Australia in 5738 (1978) heard the following words from the Rebbe within his words of blessing and farewell to them[5]: "Since all matters are founded on Ahavas Yisrael... therefore I will give each of you the 'Kuntres Ahavas Yisrael' that is given to mashpi'im, since your role is both to learn for yourselves and to teach others."

Shluchim to the Holy Land

Each one of the group of shluchim to the Holy Land in 5738 (1978) received the kuntres from the Rebbe's hand with his holy signature.

To the Public

Six years later, during the farbrengen of Shabbat Kodesh Parshat Bo 5743 (1983), the Rebbe addressed the function of mashpi'im (spiritual mentors) and explained his intention in the special printing of the kuntres (booklet), a privilege that was not properly utilized. The Rebbe said:

"When we spoke several years ago about appointing 'mashpi'im' in every location... - I wanted to further expedite and encourage this matter. Therefore, since the 'Kuntres Ahavas Yisroel' was printed at that time containing sayings and teachings from our Rebbes, beginning from the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid, the Alter Rebbe, the Mitteler Rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, the Maharash, the Rashab, and my father-in-law, the Rebbe, leader of our generation - I announced that I would sign these kuntresim with my own signature, and give them to each of the 'mashpi'im.' From then until today - except for a 'small number,' no one has requested to receive this kuntres with my signature! When it comes to a letter with my signature regarding the birth of a son or daughter - people 'make a commotion' about how they still haven't received a blessing letter with my signature; yet in this matter - when I offered on my own ('ich hob zich a alein ongeshlogn') to give the above kuntres with my signature - except for a 'small number,' no one requested to receive this kuntres! The only 'merit' in this matter is - since each person knew for himself what his decisions were regarding involvement in the work of influencing others, etc., therefore he didn't want to request the above kuntres, so that it wouldn't obligate him to engage in this!"

On the evening of 11 Nissan 5749 (1989), after Maariv prayers in the atmosphere of 11 Nissan, some expected a holy sicha (talk) in honor of the day, and even the microphone was set up. However, in practice, there was a special surprise. When Kaddish Adon Olam concluded the evening prayer, the Rebbe began distributing the "Kuntres Ahavas Yisroel" (in a yellow binding), together with a dollar attached to it, to each person who passed by.

This apparently came as a complete surprise even to those in charge of publishing, so that after a short time all the kuntresim that were brought ran out. Immediately, another box of unbound kuntresim was brought, and when these too ran out - the crowd continued to pass before the Rebbe, who distributed to each person three dollar bills, as a mitzvah mission for charity. There was much pushing, to the extent that at the beginning of the distribution the Rebbe stood near the prayer platform before the steps leading up to the prayer platform, and as the distribution continued, his holy place was already opposite the middle of the steps. During the distribution, the crowd sang the melody to the new chapter "Shir Mizmor Livnei Korach."

Special Printing for Menachem Begin's Visit

Before the publicized visit of Prime Minister Mr. Menachem Begin to the Rebbe on 2 Menachem Av 5737 (1977), the Rebbe requested to print the kuntres in an elegant manner, and the secretariat staff made efforts to have it printed on special paper with an elegant binding, noting that this was a special edition in connection with the visit.

New Edition

The kuntres was reprinted by Kehot Publication Society in Brooklyn, in the year 5782 (2022), and was also distributed as a gift for the wedding of Rabbi Levi Rechimi.

External Links

• The kuntres for reading and download
• Menachem Ziegelboim, "Moving Unity: The Complete Story Behind the Banquet Surprise" The Journey of a Kuntres, from