Editing The Reshimos

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'''Reshimos''' are writings that the Rebbe wrote for himself. Most of these writings were kept by the Rebbe and most were not published by him, except for selected portions[1], which he then noted as "from my reshimos" or "from my collection of reshimos."

After 3 Tammuz 5754 (1994), some members of Agudas Chassidei Chabad took out the reshimos that were kept by the Rebbe in his holy room in his desk drawer[2], and published them in a series of books called "Reshimos." Many Chabad rabbis opposed this move.

== Parts of the Reshimos ==
The Reshimos are divided into several sections:

==== The First Part ====

* '''Holy Letters (Igros Kodesh)''': Letters written by the Rebbe and sent to people but not published in Igros Kodesh, as well as letters he received and added his notes to.
* '''Diary Notes (Reshimos HaYoman)''' - One of the main and largest parts of the Reshimos, containing: Records of the Rebbe Rayatz's words, mainly stories and in rare places - also customs. The stories in this section are characterized by their connection to Beis Rebbi (the Rebbe's household), and during editing, the editors omitted too-private stories. These notes were collected in the book "Toras Menachem Reshimas HaYoman" published in 5766 (2006). A second corrected edition appeared in 5776 (2016).
* '''Speech Notes (Rishmei Neumim)''': Speeches delivered by the Rebbe, essentially the outlines before delivery (in certain parts it states "not said"). A significant portion was given by the Rebbe to Shalom Ber Levin already in 5746 (1986) together with a package of letters from the early years, which the Rebbe sent for printing in Igros Kodesh and which were printed at the beginning of "Toras Menachem" Volume 1 (5753/1993) under the name "Notes of the Rebbe Shlita."
* '''Reshimos''': Torah insights that the Rebbe wrote down in the years before his leadership, mostly not arranged by date.

==== The Second Part ====
The second part consists of books that the Rebbe wrote but did not publish:

* '''HaYom Yom Part Two''': A small portion of it was printed as an addition to HaYom Yom with translation in Hebrew.
* '''Reshimas Shnayim Ochazin''': A complete booklet that the Rebbe prepared for printing, sent and edited, and even drew the cover of the booklet in detail for yeshiva students. The booklet was first partially printed on 11 Nissan 5752 (1992) in Kovetz Tzaddik L'Melech Vol. 1, and then in full in 5756 (1996).
* '''References, Edits and Brief Notes to Shaar HaYichud VehaEmunah''': In many places the Rebbe wrote about this work (that he wished to print it) and also wrote in the introduction to his index book on Tanya that it would be published soon.
* '''Order of Handwashing for a Meal and Order of Blessings on Enjoyments''': The Rebbe copied the booklet "Shem HaGedolim" for the grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek (Zalman Mordechai) on the Order of Blessings and added his notes on the Order of Blessings. In Igros Kodesh[source needed] the Rebbe wrote that he wants to publish it but cannot "due to lack of time."
* '''Notes on the Menorah''' - The order of lighting the Menorah candles in the Holy Temple according to all opinions and according to Chassidic teachings and in a person's divine service. Written in Paris, France in 5699 (1939), at the request of the Rebbe Rayatz. The notes include 11 chapters. Published on 28 Sivan 5758 (1998).
* '''Edits to the Alter Rebbe's Siddur''': Edits that the Rebbe wrote on the Alter Rebbe's siddur and did not publish.

== Publication of Reshimot (Notes) ==

==== Before 5754 (1994) ====
From the beginning of summer 5752 (1992), several Reshimot were published in the Tzaddik L'Melech collections, and in the book Torat Menachem Hitva'aduyot Volume 1 at its beginning.

These Reshimot were not part of the "Reshimot" booklets found in the Rebbe's drawer - rather, when the holy letters (Igrot Kodesh) series was being edited, they asked the Rebbe to provide letters from the early years, and the Rebbe gave a package of letters. In that package were several pages of "Reshimot" as well as "Hayom Yom Part Two." When the Rebbe was asked about this, the Rebbe answered that the editors would find what to do with it. In practice, the Reshimot remained in the hands of the Igrot editors. In 5750 (1990), they gave "Hayom Yom Part Two" to Rabbi Peretz Blau (who published it as an addition to the Hebrew translated edition of "Hayom Yom"), but after this book came to the Rebbe's attention, the Rebbe responded (in essence) "Part Two - who gave permission to publish it?" The Reshimot were published in the Tzaddik L'Melech collections and in Volume 1 of Torat Menachem Hitva'aduyot, as mentioned above. Later, when the Reshimot series was published, the editors also republished these "Reshimot" within the series, and they were omitted from the new edition of Torat Menachem Volume 1.

In 5769 (2009), "Merkaz HaChesed - Matte Moshiach Netanya" prepared a comprehensive compilation of all the Reshimot that the Rebbe published himself, and printed them in a booklet under the name 'Likutei Reshimot'.

==== After 5754 (1994) ====
After 3 Tammuz 5754 (1994), some members of Agudas Chassidei Chabad committee took the Reshimot from their location and began to publish them in an organized manner in weekly booklets. The booklets were published from Kislev 5755 (1994) until the beginning of 5760 (1999). Due to the Rebbe's concise style in his notes (which were written for himself, not for publication), the publishers prepared decoding and explanations for the Rebbe's words. Afterward, these booklets were published as a series, with topics discussed at length being published as separate books (Reshimat HaMenorah, Shnayim Ochazin, References and Brief Notes to the Book of Beinonim, Reshimat HaYoman).

In 5778 (2018), the World Committee of Temimim Students printed several sections from the Reshimot with renewed decoding, as part of the "Katabtit Yehavit" campaign.

== The Controversy Regarding Their Publication ==
The discovery and publication of the Reshimos (notes) after 3 Tammuz 5754 (1994) raised doubts about the possibility and manner of publication. As a result, several meetings were held.

==== Agudas Chassidei Chabad Meeting ====
The first meeting [clarification needed] was convened by several members of Agudas Chassidei Chabad on 2 Iyar 5755 (1995) near 770. The meeting was attended by mashpiim, shluchim, and askanim: Rabbi Yoel Cohen, Rabbi Shalom Ber Levin (representative of Agudas Chassidei Chabad), Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Shem Tov, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gupin, Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Ornstein, Rabbi Meshulam Zusha Alprovitz, Rabbi Shlomo Zarchi, Rabbi Avraham Baruch Yitzchak Gerlitzky, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gordon (London), Rabbi David Raskin, Rabbi Moshe Herson, Rabbi Aryeh Leib Kaplan, Rabbi Aharon Chitrik, Rabbi Yehoshua Mondshine, Rabbi Alter Eliyahu Friedman, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Havlin, Rabbi Eliyahu Matusof, Rabbi Yosef Weinberg, and Reb Yosef Baruch Friedman.

The meeting was moderated by Reb Chaim Shaul Brook, director of Vaad Hanachos B'Lahak.

At the beginning of the meeting, it was clarified that the publication of the Reshimos is the responsibility of Agudas Chassidei Chabad, and the purpose of the meeting was solely to discuss the manner of their printing and publication. This differed from what was written in the invitation to the attendees, which stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss "both the matter of the actual publication and the various methods, etc."

==== Reservations ====
Some refrain from studying these Reshimos and quote the Rebbe's words against taking writings from the possession of our Rebbeim and publishing their Torah without permission, particularly the Rebbe's words regarding these Reshimos which, they claim, indicate that he did not wish to publish them. In addition to the discussion about studying them, they argue that even touching and removing the writings from the drawer, like hundreds of other items and letters, is absolutely forbidden. They quote the Rebbe's words from 5745 (1985) that removing things belonging to the Rebbe from his possession turns them into a "live bomb" and makes the place where they are located a place of tangible danger for its residents and for all who are there. Their main claim is that to this day, the Reshimos have not been returned to their place. They also add the Rebbe's words after the passing of Avraham Pariz that only people like him have permission to steal, but not everyone.

Against this, those who support studying the Reshimos argue that the Rebbe's words referred to printing without the permission of the body authorized to decide on the matter, which is Agudas Chassidei Chabad, and its decision should not be questioned. They also quote the Rebbe's words from the Seforim case that even those who don't understand that the Frierdiker Rebbe is alive, and therefore there was no inheritance, understand that the library belongs to Agudas Chassidei Chabad, not to an individual, and based on this they argue that the decision regarding the Reshimos and other items belonging to the Rebbe is also within the authority of Agudas Chassidei Chabad.

Additionally, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Groner testified that the natural location of the Reshimos was on the table in the Rebbe's room, but before the Rebbe met with Zalman Shazar in his room, he asked his secretary Rabbi Leibel Groner, his father, to organize the room (together with his sons), and during this organization, the Reshimos were placed in a drawer.

Rabbi Shalom Yaakov Chazan published an article in Beis Moshiach weekly in which he pointed out many problems in the process of publishing the Reshimos; however, he did not negate the publication and added that he personally was happy about it. He even published several notes on the Reshimos.

== See Also ==

* Reshimas Shnayim Ochzin
* Reshimas HaMenorah

== Further Reading ==

* Rabbi David Feldman, '''Reshimu MehaReshimos''', Kfar Chabad Weekly, Pesach 5755 issue, and its continuation in the Iyar 5755 issues
* Rabbi Shalom Yaakov Chazan, '''HaReshimos HaGenuzot''', Beit Moshiach Weekly, issue 41, p. 27
* Rabbi Yehoshua Mondshine, '''Or Chadash Or Ganuz'''.