Exchange with R. Gulevsky about the History of Hasidism in Galicia (1976)

1. R. Gulevsky to R. Lamm (May 19, 1976)

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Exchange with Michael Tabor about Research Suggestions on Chabad (1974)

Dear Rabbi Lamm, Greetings! Many thanks for your good wishes on the birth of שושנה, who is thriving. School starts again in a few weeks and before the pressure begins again I have written out some suggestions re the writings of the נשיאי חב"ד which I hope will be of some use in your search for suitable material. As you can see (and please note for future correspondence...!?) we have moved into a house on the campus and slowly getting organized. We didn't go away this summer but remained in the splendid isolation of interterm Carmel – I've enjoyed the peace and opportunity to read and practice altho' Naomi misses town life quite a bit – but as you said some months ago marriage is constant interaction and adaptation on both sides...Well I bid you and your charming wife & family (what are your kids doing now – I especially remember your daughter (youngest!?) who did a little dance for me – are your other children studying?]The seasonal greetings: כתיבה וחתימה טובהמיכאל ת'General Books & Ideas [mostly published by Kehor – or obtainable from your other Luby inclined friends & acquaintancesספר המפתחות – useful cross red & index of of ideas within literatureספר העררים – Encyclopedia – out a few years ago (1971?) I think only first vol is up to א!אור החסידות – brief summary/outline of basic concepts – some beautiful summaries of חב"ד by the נשיאי חב"ד.* על ספר החבדית – collection of short essays on major חב"ד books.The Tzemach Tzedek & Haskalah movement – interesting reading on background of fierce kultur komph & intrigues of Haskalah ideologists/missionaries'.On Teachings of Chassidus, On Learning Chassidus, קינטרס לימוד החסידות : transl by Z. Posner of two booklets by previous Rebbe.Deals with questions of how its possible to 'understand' theological concepts of chassidut. I found the 2nd part very interesting bringing parallels from other intellectual disciplines – different of comprehension:[P.27]הפשטה = עליית המשיג אל המושגהלבשה = המשכת וירידת …

Chasidim & Mitnagdim

Exchange with R. Schochet about Scholarship on Hasidism and Suggested Corrections for "Study and Prayer" Article (1975)

Reading through the recent issue of Tradition I note that you continue to pursue your interest in Chassidism and are presently engaged in compiling an anthology of Chassidic teachings. I myself recently started work on a similar project, but who knows when I will be able to finish it. (Incidentally, Louis Jacobs from London informs me that he has just completed a similar anthology for Behrman House.) In any case, it is important that people who understand and appreciate Chassidism positively will finally take over the "academic field" of it to negate the distortions and misrepresentations of people like Buber and Scholem et al.

Chasidim & Mitnagdim