Boneh Yerushalayim (Book)

Boneh Yerushalayim ("Builder of Jerusalem") is a collection of short maamarim — Chassidic discourses — by the Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi), described on its title page as works intended "to ignite the hearts in the service of G-d according to the path of Chassidus, rooted in the deep foundation of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezeritch."

History

The book was printed by R' Chaim Eliezer HaKohen Bichovsky, a dedicated publisher of Chabad Chassidic literature. In his later years, R' Bichovsky made aliyah — immigrating to the Holy Land — in 1918 (5678).

Once there, he set about collecting old books and manuscripts belonging to the Chabad Rebbes that were in the possession of prominent Chassidim living in the Land of Israel. Among the works he discovered was a volume containing maamarim by the Alter Rebbe. Some of those discourses had already appeared in print in the Alter Rebbe's other works — Torah Or, Likkutei Torah, and the Iggeres HaKodesh section of the Tanya — and R' Bichovsky omitted those when preparing the book for publication, printing only the previously unknown material.

R' Bichovsky also gave the book its name. He explained that through the study and dissemination of the Chabad Chassidic teachings contained in the volume, the Redemption would be hastened and the city of Jerusalem rebuilt and restored.

External Links

• The book (PDF)