73 Years
On 28 Teves, I turned 73 years old. On the same day, I became a U.S. citizen. Both these events could have caused much happiness. But my loneliness was unmistakable.
In any case, thank G‑d for these events. My son, long may he live, wished me all the best.
From my other son [R. Yisrael Aryeh Leib]—whom I have not seen for 24 years, which also is far from easy for me—I received a telegram signed [also] by his wife [Genya Devorah] and daughter,[Mrs. Dahlia (Rotman)] neither of whom I have ever met.
— An excerpt from the memoirs of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s mother, Rebbetzin Chana ע״ה, dated Sunday, 2 Shevat 5713/1953.
Editor’s Note: Rebbetzin Chana was never made aware of R. Yisrael Aryeh Leib’s, her youngest son’s, passing on 13 Iyar 5712/1952 (less than a year before she wrote this). Her older son, the Rebbe, concealed the news in order to spare her anguish. Even during the shivah he continued to visit her daily, and later sent her letters he wrote in handwriting, and with a signature, simulating his brother’s.
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74 Years
Today I turned 74 years old. That’s how time passes. Thank G‑d, my son, shlita, came in and gave me his good wishes for the occasion.
From my other son [R. Yisroel Aryeh Leib] I have received a telegram signed also by his family, with similar wishes. I have no desire to dwell on this subject.
I haven’t written for two months. I have much to thank G‑d for, and my son M. M., shlita, has every right to say, “I am better for you than ten sons”!
—An excerpt from the memoirs of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s mother, Rebbetzin Chana ע״ה, dated 28 Teves, 5714/1953.
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75 Years
I am no writer, and, in general, who am I and what am I? Nevertheless, I am almost always alone, and every individual is considered a “small world.”
I have no one with me with whom to share my feelings, other than my son, long may he live in great wellbeing and success.
On the 28th of this month I turn 75 years old. This is a number that has some significance of its own in general, and particularly in light of what I have endured in recent years.
The life of my husband, of blessed memory, was tragic, and the same is true after he left this world. It would be desirable that there be some memorial to him. It appears to me that some of his writings could be published. But perhaps not? There are probably good reasons [why they are not being published yet].
— An excerpt from the memoirs of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s mother, Rebbetzin Chana ע״ה, dated Thursday, 26 Teves 5715/1955.
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VIDEO: brief biography of Rebbetzin Chana
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VIDEO: the Rebbe visiting his mother’s resting place
Video: Live from the Rebbe’s Library in Crown Heights, JEM’s Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin tells the fascinating story of the heroic life of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, the Rebbe’s mother and shows artifacts and documents from her life.
Thanks for posting the beautiful JEM video.