Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad

The Lubavitch Library (on the right) adjacent to the 770 building

the Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad is among the most important Jewish libraries in the world. The library includes approximately 250,000 titles, mostly ancient and rare; of these approximately 200,000 books are in Hebrew and Yiddish, and approximately 50,000 books are in other languages.

Located at the worldwide Chabad movement's headquarters - 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY.

The current chief librarian is Rabbi Shalom DovBer Levine, preceded by Rabbi Chaim Lieberman.

History[edit | edit source]

Throughout the history of Chabad Chassidus, a collection of books and manuscripts existed at its center, in the possession of the Rebbe, leader of the movement.

The collection from the first generations of Chassidus barely survived. The vast majority of books and manuscripts were burned in the numerous fires that struck small towns in those days, or were lost in other vicissitudes of time. The main part of the current collection began to be gathered in the third generation of Chabad Chassidus, and expanded over the generations, until it became one of the most important Jewish libraries in the world, if not the most important.

From the first generation of Chabad Chassidus, we know of a list of about one hundred printed volumes that were taken for inspection from the home of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, during his imprisonment. These volumes were part of his books taken by them to determine whether they contained any material against the monarchy.

It's possible this was only a library of a few hundred books; but even this sum of hundreds of volumes was substantial in Russia of those days.

At the end of his life, there were two fires in the Alter Rebbe's house, one in 1810, when his handwritten composition of the Shulchan Aruch that he authored was also burned. The second occurred during the Napoleonic War when the Alter Rebbe left his home in Liadi in late 1812, and was forced to wander until his passing on 24 Tevet 5573 (1813).

His son, the Mitteler Rebbe, his successor and the Rebbe of the second generation of Chabad, settled in the town of Lubavitch at the end of that year, built a house and a large synagogue there, with a library that included 611 volumes, arranged in four cabinets. This is reported in the record written after the search conducted at his house in 1826.

A large collection of books began to be built in the third generation - by the Tzemach Tzedek, and grew from generation to generation.

This collection underwent many adventures and transformations: in fires that broke out in Lubavitch, a large part of it was burned. Part of the printed books of this collection passed to the heirs of the Tzemach Tzedek - after his passing, and to the heirs of the Rebbe Maharash - after his passing.

Most of the collection of printed books gathered by our Rebbes until World War I was confiscated by the Communist government, as will be described below. The Rebbe Rayatz began to build a new collection of printed books.

Main Collections in the Library[edit | edit source]

A collection of thousands of manuscript volumes; the vast majority are Chabad Chassidic writings, original holy manuscripts of Chabad Rebbes, or copies that Chassidim made for themselves.
A large archive of letters and documents related to Chabad; including the enormous letter archive of the Rebbe Rayatz.
A treasury of holy objects that remained as inheritance from Chabad Rebbes, as well as objects of all types that were given as gifts to the Rebbe during his years of leadership.
A collection of photographs of Chassidim and Chabad activities that were sent to the Rebbe Rayatz during his leadership, and to the Rebbe during his years of leadership.
A large archive of newspaper clippings related to the Chabad movement and to Judaism in general, as well as various departments of notices and publications that were sent to the Rebbe over the years.

A special team works regularly on the collection of manuscripts and archives, and based on them, books of discourses, talks and holy letters of Chabad Rebbes throughout the generations are edited and printed.

The book collection is open to researchers for study, and a detailed computerized catalog has been created for it. The general public has access to view the catalog on the library's website, as well as electronic copies (scans) of many of the books.

The library has an exhibition hall, where changing exhibitions display selected items from the treasury of objects, photographs, books and manuscripts.

Schneersohn Collection[edit | edit source]

The Rebbe Rashab, the Rebbe of the fifth generation of Chabad, left Lubavitch during World War I, when the German army approached the area, and settled in the city of Rostov on the Don River. He left the book collection for safekeeping in a warehouse in Moscow, in order to receive it back after the end of the war.

At the end of the war period, the Rebbe Rashab passed away in Rostov, and the leadership of Chabad passed to his son and successor, the Rebbe Rayatz, the Rebbe of the sixth generation of Chabad, who began to inquire about the status of the books in the warehouse and their return. However, at that time the Communist regime took power, the warehouses were nationalized, and the books were taken from there and placed in the public library in Moscow.

Over the years, the Rebbe Rayatz worked and endeavored to get the books back, but the Soviet government refused to return them.

When the first signs of a new era in Russia began in 5741 (1981), the Rebbe continued to work energetically for the redemption of this holy collection, and expressed that it was a matter of "pidyon shvuyim" (redemption of captives) of holy sparks found in exile in the hands of gentiles.

Currently, some of the books are located in the Jewish Museum in Moscow, which has received much criticism from Chabad Chassidim.

The Rebbe Rayatz's Collection[edit | edit source]

At the same time that the book collection was placed in the public library in Moscow in 5684 (1924), the Rebbe Rayatz began to rebuild the Lubavitch library.

In 5685 (1925), he purchased the book collection of the bibliographer and collector R' Shmuel Wiener, a collection that numbered about five thousand precious ancient and rare books, and immediately began to engage in expanding the library and completing it with Jewish books of all types.

In 5687 (1927), he was arrested, sent into exile, released and forced to leave Russia. Initially, they did not allow him to take this new collection with him, but after his firm declaration that he would not leave without the books, permission was granted and he transferred this collection to the new center of Chabad Chassidus in the city of Riga.

From there, he sent letters and notices to Anash (Chassidim) worldwide, urging them to help enrich the "Lubavitch Library" with books of all kinds. This continued after the Chabad center was moved to Poland, in the city of Warsaw and in Otwock.

During his travels, the Rebbe Rayatz never parted from 3 suitcases containing manuscripts, only during his journey to the Holy Land in 5689 (1929) did he entrust them to the [future] Rebbe when they parted in Trieste, Italy.

At the beginning of World War II, the Rebbe was in Warsaw occupied by the Nazis (may their name be erased) for a period of several months, until late winter 5700 (1940) when he left with his family and secretaries; first they passed through Berlin to Riga, Stockholm, and from there arrived in New York.

The book collection remained in occupied Poland. Part of it was transferred over a year and a half, by those who worked to move this treasure from place to place through difficult paths during the war, until it arrived in New York at the end of 5701 (1941), when the ground floor of the new Chabad center at 770 Eastern Parkway was dedicated to this library.

Another part of this collection was lost for thirty-eight years, and only in 5737 (1977) was it discovered, and following intense activism and effort, it was returned to the library's ownership at the beginning of 5738 (1978).

Another part of the collection was deposited in the American Embassy in Warsaw, but the Nazis looted the embassy, and after the war, the books passed from their hands to the Russian army, which stored them in one of its many warehouses, and for many years their fate was unknown.

In 5757 (1997), a book collector (a Karlin Chassid) found the books in his searches in Russian army warehouses, and according to his Rebbe's instruction, informed Chabad Chassidim. The "Otzar HaChassidim" organization photographed the books at astronomical cost, but the Russian government refuses to return them to this day, despite repeated appeals from Chabad Chassidus and the American government.

The Rebbe's Collection[edit | edit source]

Immediately upon arriving in New York in the summer of 5701 (1941), the Rebbe was appointed by his father-in-law, the Rebbe Rayatz, to head the "Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch" (Central Organization for Jewish Education). The Rebbe then began to collect books for his offices at 770 to serve the work of Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch.

After the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz on 10 Shevat 5710 (1950), the leadership of Chabad passed to the Rebbe. He then began to expand this collection, with many books gathered according to his instructions by his many emissaries worldwide. The Rebbe instructed his representatives and emissaries to strive and engage in this, thanked those who were involved and encouraged them to send both ancient books and manuscripts, and newly printed books. When helpful, he instructed to reach an exchange agreement whereby in return for sending books to the library, the senders would receive books from Kehot (Chabad publishing house).

In 5728 (1968), when this collection grew to large dimensions, the house adjacent to 770 was purchased to house this special library.

During the years 5728-5745 (1968-1985), two parallel libraries existed at the Chabad center: a. The collection of the Rebbe Rayatz on the ground floor of 770. b. The Rebbe's collection in the building adjacent to 770.

In 5746-47 (1986-87), the "Books Trial" took place in which a grandson of the Rebbe Rayatz claimed ownership of part of his collection; the court ruled that all the books belong to the Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad.

After the Rebbe's victory in the trial, he announced a massive campaign to expand the library, and even ordered the unification of the two collections under the "Central Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad Ohel Yosef Yitzchak - Lubavitch." In 5749 (1989), he ordered the renovation and expansion of the library building, and its physical connection to the main building of 770. Preparations immediately began to open the library to researchers.

In 5752 (1992), the construction of the library and the preparation of the computerized catalog were completed, and the reading room was opened to researchers.

In 5754 (1994), the library's exhibition hall, located on the third floor of 770, was opened to the general public. This floor was previously used as the apartment of Rabbi Shmaryahu Gurary.

Collection of Manuscripts and Archives[edit | edit source]

During the seven generations of Chabad Chassidus, alongside the growth of the printed book collection, the manuscript collection also grew. The main part of this collection consists of manuscripts of Chabad Chassidic teachings.

This began during the leadership of the Alter Rebbe, when the Alter Rebbe had not yet published any of his books. The discourses he would deliver every Shabbat were recorded by his brother, Rabbi Yehudah Leib of Janowitch, author of the book "She'erit Yehudah." Many copies were made of these "hanachos" (transcripts) which were distributed among thousands of Chassidim. Even the book of "Tanya" had not yet been printed at that time and was distributed among the Chassidim in many copies. Thus began the formation of the manuscript collection of Chabad Chassidic teachings.

This collection was not kept in the Alter Rebbe's house. However, after two generations, his grandson and successor - the Tzemach Tzedek - endeavored to gather these manuscripts in one place, and thus began the building of the manuscript collection, which was always preserved at the center of Chabad leadership.

From time to time this collection grew, both through the acquisition of manuscripts, teachings and manuscripts of previous Rebbes, and through the discourses of the Rebbe of that generation, who would record his discourses or deliver them publicly, and the Chassidim would record and copy them in many copies. This collection always passed from the leader of the movement to his successor.

This collection also did not completely escape the vicissitudes of time. A small number of volumes found their way to other heirs of the Rebbe after his passing. The aforementioned fires that struck the town of Lubavitch did not spare the manuscript collection either, and many volumes of these were also burned.

However, the majority and essence of this collection was always preserved at the center of the Chabad movement. Even the volumes that had found their way to other heirs were eventually purchased by the Rebbe and his people, and returned to the authority of the Rebbe, leader of the movement.

After many adventures and transformations, we have finally merited that the significant majority of this large and rare collection, gathered by Chabad leaders throughout the generations, has been preserved. And the lion's share of it is found today in the "Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad."

The library currently contains about three thousand manuscript volumes; more than a hundred of them are written in the original holy handwriting of our Rebbes.

All these, in addition to a huge archive containing about one hundred thousand letters and documents from all seven generations of Chabad leaders (though only a few from the early generations), as well as letters to them, in addition to thousands of other letters and documents.

A special team works on these manuscripts, editing and printing from them the series of discourses, talks and holy letters of our Rebbes, the Chabad Rebbes throughout the generations.

Library Structure[edit | edit source]

In 5727 (1967), Agudas Chassidei Chabad purchased building number 766 on Eastern Parkway, adjacent to the right side of the building of the world headquarters of the Chabad movement - 770. The building was purchased in order to store the library archive, which had expanded to large dimensions, and in order to meet the need to arrange the books in a more cataloged form and to preserve them in better storage conditions. In addition to its use as library offices and as a spacious storage place, the building served various purposes over the years, including serving as a hall for special visits of distinguished personalities who met with the Rebbe (including the meetings of the Rebbe with Chief Rabbis Mordechai Eliyahu and Avraham Shapira), as well as a private room for the Rebbe and Rebbetzin where they stayed on Shabbat and holidays in the last years of the Rebbetzin's life. In 5750 (1990), about a year after the passing of Rabbi Shmaryahu Gurary, the upper floor of 770 was vacated at the instruction of the Rebbe, who ordered the place to be prepared for opening a changing exhibition from the library archive. As a result, a bridge connecting the building with 770 was built, to allow direct access from the library to the exhibition hall renovated in Rabbi Shmaryahu Gurary's apartment. Also during these renovations, the basements of the building were connected with the basement floor of 770.

Over the years, the library archive expanded significantly, creating a real need to expand the space. After the passing of Rabbi Meir Itkin in 5767 (2007), negotiations began with the family to purchase his house adjacent to the library building, and in 5774 (2014) the purchase was completed and renovations began to unify the houses and secure them from fires and water penetration.

Exhibition Hall[edit | edit source]

This library is not intended for lending, or for reading books by the general public, but as emphasized several times by our Rebbes, it is a library for researchers, rabbis, heads of yeshivas and authors who want to consult a rare book.

In order to satisfy the desire of the general public who wish to see a little of the holy treasures contained in the library, a special hall in the library was dedicated to exhibitions. Each year, a special topic is chosen by the library management, to which the exhibition of that year is dedicated. Over the years, special items related to each of the Chabad Rebbes and to every area of Chabad activity have been displayed in this exhibition. The exhibitions displayed books, manuscripts, objects, paintings and photographs related to the Rebbes and Chabad activities, to great Jewish scholars and especially to the great figures of Chassidus. The library's special collection of Haggadahs was also exhibited; ketubot, and first editions of Chassidic books printed in the early generations.

These exhibitions are visited by men and women from all circles, school children, tourist groups, and anyone who wants to see with their own eyes books and objects that teach the history of Chassidus and the treasures of the library, which after generations of preparation - is open to the public.

Library Search Software[edit | edit source]

The CD "Chabad Library" was published by Kehot Publication Society and the Chabad Library in 5766 (2006), featuring 250 books that appear on the library's website, with basic and sophisticated search software with dozens of search modes.

With this software, you can search for a word or combination of words, selecting distance between words, with or without word order, whole or partial, with or without prepositions, with or without additional letters. The search can be performed in a book or several books, in a database or several databases, books alphabetically or by departments, with or without document merging, and other advantages and benefits. After receiving the results, you can copy the selected passages to the clipboard, to a Word file, or for printing.

External Links[edit | edit source]

chabadlibrary.org — Agudas Chassidei Chabad Library website
Text section - Some of our Rebbeim's books in text format, on the Agudas Chassidei Chabad Library website
The Largest Chassidic Library in the World - HaMevaser in a fascinating article about the Lubavitch Library
Rare Pictures from Inside the Library
Lubavitch Library: Hechtman in a photo gallery from the exhibition
Rare Documentation: Books from the Library that were left by the Rebbe's instruction in Kfar Chabad Tevet 5781 (2020)
Gallery: Famous Personalities Who Visited the Rebbe's Library Over the Years
Pictures from the Library Exhibition Tishrei 5782 (2021)
The Crown Jewel, Librarian Rabbi Berel Levin in a filmed video review of the Library (English)
Keys and Honorary Certificates for the Rebbe ● Extensive documentation
The Rebbe's Shtender, the Special Silver Staff, the Clock with the Moon • Special Video