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Extremely Rare! Printed Letter by the Rebbe the Rashab about Strengthening Jewish Identity after the Fall of the Russian Empire - Rostov-on-Don, 1917 - Printed letter by the Rebbe the Rashab, printed by his instruction after the fall of the Russian Empire in 1917 to strengthen the Jewish people particularly Russian Jewry after the winds of democracy blew through the country, causing widespread secularization and a spiritual decline among the Jews.  A single exttemely rare leaf, which is not in varied ephemera collections! Printed in Iyar 1917 by Rabinovich Press, Rostov-on-Don [where the Rebbe the Rashab lived then and where he was laid to rest].  Chabad Lubavitch booklet Askanut Tziburit (New York, 1951) descibes this letter (p. 48. freely translated): After the Russian monarchy fell and Tsar Nicholas II was deposed from his royal throne, and the minister Kerensky succeeded him, with the country transitioning to a free republic regime and the sound of freedom’s trumpet echoing in every corner of the land, the Admor the Rebbe Rashab was deeply concerned. He worried that some of our brethren, Bnei Yisrael, might exploit the newfound freedom and declare that every man may do whatever is right in his own eyes, even in matters of Judaism. He therefore hastened to publish a letter of awakening and strengthening to our God-fearing brethren... And this is what the Rebbe the Rashab writes in this Igeret Kodesh: ”בהחפשה הנתונה לכל עמי הארץ, אשר ביותר האיר השי”ת חסדו הטוב אלינו עם ישראל... נמצאו אנשים מאחינו להשתמש בה לפרק מעליהם עול מלכות שמים... ואתם אחינו היראים והחרדים לדבר ה' אשר בכל עיר ועיר, אם עתה תעמדו מרחוק ולא תעשו דבר, כל היהדות היא בסכנה גדולה... רוחי סוער בקרבי וכל עצמותי ירגזו להמראה הנורא שלנגד עיני...”. [In the freedom granted to all the nations of the land, wherein Hashem has most greatly shone His benevolent kindness upon us, the Jewish people... some individuals from among our brethren have been found to misuse it to cast off from themselves Ol Malchus Shamayim... And you, our brethren who fear and tremble at the word of Hashem in every single city, if you now stand from afar and do nothing, all of Judaism is in grave danger... My spirit rages within me and all my bones shake at the dreadful sight before my eyes...].  The Rebbe then gives some practical advice: unite and demonstrate one's Jewish identity by observing the Sabbath and Kashruth, the Mikveh etc. and by supporting Talmudei Torah and the study of Torah by the young.  The Rebbe ends the letter with sharp words, stating that anyone who has the capability to assist and bring some benefit is obligated to do so; and if he does not act, he is destined to be held accountable in judgment for this. [1] leaf, approx. 26X22 cm. Stains and fold lines. Good overall condition.