Book

Reshimos

📖 Overview

Reshimos contains the personal journals and notes of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, written between 1928-1950 before he became the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe. The writings were originally penned in Hebrew and Yiddish, later translated and published in multiple volumes. The collection spans Rabbi Schneerson's time in Berlin, Paris, and the United States, documenting his studies and observations on Torah, Talmud, Kabbalah, Chassidic teachings, and Jewish law. His entries range from brief notes to extensive analyses, covering both practical religious matters and abstract philosophical concepts. These writings reveal Rabbi Schneerson's intellectual development and approach to various aspects of Jewish thought and practice during his formative years. The text preserves his real-time reflections and insights before taking leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. The journals serve as a window into the intersection of traditional Jewish scholarship and modern academic thought, demonstrating how ancient wisdom can be applied to contemporary challenges. The work continues to influence discussions of Jewish philosophy, law, and mystical teachings.

👀 Reviews

Reshimos is not well reviewed online, with minimal reader feedback available. The book contains Rabbi Schneerson's personal journals and notes spanning 1928-1950. Readers appreciate: - Deep insights into the Rebbe's thought process and development - Historical perspective on key events in Chabad history - Detailed Talmudic and Chassidic analysis Common criticisms: - Dense, complex text requiring advanced Torah knowledge - Limited English translation availability - Difficult to follow chronology and context The book has no ratings on Goodreads or Amazon. Most discussion appears in Jewish scholarly publications and Chabad websites rather than consumer reviews. Some readers note the text provides unique glimpses into Rabbi Schneerson's private reflections before becoming Lubavitcher Rebbe. Others find the content too academic without sufficient background material for general audiences. Primary readership appears to be Chabad scholars and those researching Rabbi Schneerson's early writings.

📚 Similar books

Torah Studies by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz Collected transcripts of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's talks provide insights into Torah portions through Chassidic thought and kabbalah.

Likkutei Sichos by Menachem Mendel Schneerson Analysis of Torah portions connects traditional commentaries with mystical teachings in a structured, intellectual approach.

The Essential Tanya by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz Translation and commentary on the foundational Chabad text presents chassidic philosophy and spiritual psychology.

Days of Destiny by Rabbi Eli Touger Collection of the Lubavitcher Rebbe's discourses examines Jewish holidays through chassidic perspectives.

Words to Hear with Your Heart by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski Short teachings combine chassidic wisdom with psychological insights for personal growth.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔷 The Reshimos are personal journals written by Rabbi Schneerson between 1928-1950, discovered only after his passing in 1994. They contain profound insights into Torah, Kabbalah, and Chassidic philosophy. 🔷 Before becoming the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Schneerson wrote these notes in code and used various languages including Hebrew, Yiddish, Russian, French, and German. 🔷 Many entries in Reshimos were written during Rabbi Schneerson's time in Paris (1933-1940), where he studied engineering at the École Spéciale des Travaux Publics while simultaneously developing deep Torah insights. 🔷 The notebooks contain unique diagrams and mathematical formulas alongside spiritual concepts, reflecting the author's extraordinary ability to bridge secular knowledge with Torah wisdom. 🔷 When the Nazis invaded Paris in 1940, Rabbi Schneerson managed to save these precious notebooks during his escape, carrying them through his journey across Europe to America.