With Great Joy, Tzemach Tzedek’s Manuscript Returned Home

A four-page teshuva of the Tzemach Tzedek in ksav yad kodesh was recently obtained by Netanya Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Moshe Orenshtein and brought with great celebration to the Rebbe’s library.

By Anash.org reporter

A four-page teshuva of the Tzemach Tzedek in ksav yad kodesh was recently obtained by Netanya Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Moshe Orenshtein and brought with great celebration to the Rebbe’s library.

The document, spanning four pages and adorned with marginal notes in his holy handwriting, was a part of the “Schneerson Collection” in Moscow. The ksav yad kodesh had undergone many transitions; it was held by Americans, then taken by the Nazis, and subsequently came under Russian possession.

Over 15 years ago, it was stolen from Moscow and somehow ended up in the archive of a well-known Chassidic Rebbe. Guided by the Rebbe’s directives and with significant siyata dishmaya, after extensive efforts and negotiation, Rabbi Orenshtein succeeded in acquiring the special manuscript.

The teshuva is printed in Teshuvos Tzemach Tzedek siman 53 based on copies of the original. The teshuva, from 5697 (1837), addresses a question posed by R’ Yekusiel Zusman from Lechovitch and R’ Yisroel Moshe Yaffeh regarding barrels used by a local squire for chometz spirits and were then used for Pesach. The original manuscript shows additional points by the questioner that were not included in the Shailos U’Teshuvos Tzemach Tzedek.

This occasion was celebrated by students of the yeshiva with a special seuda. Although the bochurim have celebrated such occasions before, this time there was unprecedented excitement throughout the yeshiva.

The seuda was celebrated with great joy, around laden tables as befitting a festive occasion. During the event, the Rosh Yeshiva showed the bochurim the manuscript, and spoke about its significance. The farbrengen was followed by spirited dancing.

Then, Rabbi Orenshtein traveled to New York and presented the ksav yad kodesh to Rabbi Shalom Ber Levine, chief librarian at the Rebbe’s library. At last, another manuscript from the Rebbeim has returned home.