Editing Kuntres Heoros Ubiurim on Sefer Likutei Amarim


This Kuntres (booklet) of abbreviations and notes on Sefer Likutei Amarim is a collection of writings by the Tzemach Tzedek on the Tanya, found in the Chabad Chassidim Library. The book includes only the Tzemach Tzedek's writings specifically about the Tanya, not his other explanations of Tanya scattered throughout his works. It was compiled and edited by the Rebbe.

The Rebbe distributed this Kuntres, along with a dollar for tzedakah, on Thursday night, 29 Elul 5749, Erev Rosh Hashanah 5750, marking 200 years since the birth of the Tzemach Tzedek (29 Elul 5489).

== The Book's Components ==

# First Tanya Summary - An abbreviated version of twenty-eight chapters of Tanya (from Chapter 1 to Chapter 28) in simple language, summarizing the paths of avodas Hashem, without the Torah and Kabbalah discussions from each chapter. Some chapters also have a "summary of summary" defining the chapter's content in just a few words.
# Second Tanya Summary - A summary from Chapter 11 through the end of Likutei Amarim, in complex academic language, focusing mainly on the kabbalistic aspects of each chapter. This summary speaks less about the individual and more about spiritual levels. The "summary" is usually lengthy, sometimes with one "D"H" covering three chapters.
# Hagahos - The Tzemach Tzedek's annotations on the Tanya (primarily on Likutei Amarim, with some on Igeres HaTeshuvah and Igeres HaKodesh, and only two annotations on Shaar HaYichud V'haEmunah). Most contain references and sources, and some include brief explanations. In some annotations, the Tzemach Tzedek records when the Alter Rebbe wrote these notes.
# Maamar - A discourse titled "To Understand the Question Mentioned at the Beginning of Sefer Tanya," addressing the Alter Rebbe's question in Likutei Amarim Chapter 1 along with other rabbinic teachings.
# Hagahos and Biurim - Handwritten annotations and explanations on the Tanya. Most deal with explaining Tanya concepts, while some provide sources and references. These annotations are typically very lengthy and discuss deep philosophical and kabbalistic topics.

== Additions ==

# The Rashab's Notes - Six pages of notes and explanations from the Rebbe Rashab on Sefer Shel Beinonim, covering chapters 2-3 and 6-10.
# From the Frierdiker Rebbe's Words - A series of letters, records, and sichos from the Frierdiker Rebbe about Sefer Tanya, its writing, and its sections. These records served as the foundation for large portions of Sefer Toldos Admur HaZaken.
# Facsimiles - At the beginning of the book, the Rebbe included:
#* Photos of four pages from the Alter Rebbe's original handwriting from the first edition of Tanya
#* Photos of two pages from the Frierdiker Rebbe's descriptions of the writings that appear in the book
#* A photo of the first printed Tanya - Slavita 5557 At the end of the book, the Rebbe included a facsimile of the Frierdiker Rebbe's description of the first edition of Tanya.
# Publisher's Notes and References - Hundreds of notes, explanations, references, and sources to other books and manuscripts of Sefer Tanya, edited by the Rebbe.

== First Edition ==
The first edition was published by Kehot under the Rebbe's editorship on 20 Menachem Av 5708, marking the yahrzeit of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak. It was printed by Rav Mordechai Shusterman and typeset at the Gertz Brothers press.

In the Rebbe's letter from 7 Nissan 5709, he writes: "For understanding the general content of Tanya Part 1 - one can receive great assistance from the chapter summaries prepared by the Tzemach Tzedek (printed by Kehot)."

== Second Edition ==
The second edition, also by Kehot, was printed at the Rebbe's instruction for the 200th anniversary of the Tzemach Tzedek's birth, as a photocopy edition with additions. This edition included:

# A foreword signed by Otzar HaChassidim
# An additional Chassidic discourse from the Tzemach Tzedek titled "Tanya... Mashbi'in Oso" from the manuscript in the Chabad Library
# A facsimile of the Tzemach Tzedek's handwriting from the first summary
# An errata sheet for the old edition

== Distribution by the Rebbe ==
Before Erev Rosh Hashanah 5750, marking the Tzemach Tzedek's 200th birthday (5489-5749), the Rebbe ordered a new printing of "Kitzurim V'He'aros L'Sefer Likutei Amarim" by the Tzemach Tzedek, which he had edited.

On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Rebbe distributed the collection to everyone as an "eternal memento - to inspire the study of pnimiyus haTorah," along with a dollar bill for tzedakah.

When the Rebbe returned from the Ohel in the evening, he entered the main shul and went toward his place on the special bimah prepared for Tishrei to daven Mincha and Maariv. By then, the shul was completely packed. After davening, the Rebbe turned to face the crowd and approached his special shtender, beginning a holy sichah in honor of the day - the last day of 5749 and the Tzemach Tzedek's 200th birthday - calling for its complete utilization as a conclusion to the ending year and preparation for the upcoming one.

During the sichah, the crowd was surprised to hear that the Rebbe would personally distribute to everyone present the "Kitzurim V'He'aros L'Sefer Likutei Amarim" from the Tzemach Tzedek (edited by the Rebbe), which had just been printed in a new edition following the Rebbe's instructions.

The Rebbe explained that the book's purpose was to serve as an "eternal memento" that would "inspire the study of the Tzemach Tzedek's teachings, the teachings of Chabad Rebbeim in general, and pnimiyus haTorah in its broadest sense."

== Content of the Collection ==
This collection was edited by the Rebbe and contains writings by the Tzemach Tzedek on Sefer Tanya:

# Two summaries of Tanya: First, on the initial 28 chapters in simple language. Second, from Chapter 11 through the end of Likutei Amarim in more complex, analytical language.
# Annotations on Tanya, containing references and sources with some brief explanations.
# A discourse addressing the question raised at the beginning of Sefer Tanya Chapter 1.
# Handwritten annotations and explanations on Sefer Tanya, mostly explanatory with some references.

== Distribution Details ==
This second edition, printed for the Tzemach Tzedek's 200th birthday, was a photocopy of the first edition with several additions and an errata sheet for the previous edition. For over three hours, the Rebbe stood and distributed the book - bound in blue - with an enclosed dollar for tzedakah to everyone - men, women, and even infants. He declined requests to take copies for others who weren't present.

Before leaving the shul, the Rebbe took a copy of "Kitzurim V'He'aros" for himself. As he was leaving, he gave copies to those who hadn't yet received one.

The community rejoiced over this gift, and even late into the night, groups could be seen in "770" studying the fresh pages of the new sefer. Additionally, the Temimim and Anash studied the Rebbe's maamar "Yom Tov Shel Rosh Hashanah Shechal Lihiyos B'Shabbos" which had just been published in honor of the day and the upcoming Rosh Hashanah