When Sichos in English originally published Heichaltzu in 5748 (1988), we wrote in the preface:
True to the comradely ideal expressed by the maamar, the present translation of Heichaltzu and its appendices has benefited from the combined talents of a number of writers. The pioneering translation (of chapters 1-17), which appeared in installments some years ago in the Chabad Journal of California, was the free rendition of R. Chaim Citron. This version was then revised and geared more closely to the original Hebrew text by R. Eliyahu Touger, who also translated the remaining chapters. (At this stage, installments were published in booklet form by Sichos In English.) In preparation for the present edition, R. Zalman Posner contributed an expert and perceptive reading of the existing translation of the first seventeen chapters of the major maamar. Finally, all the component manuscripts of the present volume were painstakingly edited by Uri Kaploun. In checking the fidelity of the various renditions he was guided (in the greater part of Heichaltzu) by the scholarly scrutiny of R. Berel Bell, and in refining the clarity of presentation throughout, he was responsive to the input of all his predecessors. The present volume, not surprisingly, owes its typographical finesse to the patience of R. Yosef Yitzchok Turner. And this entire symphony of cooperation was conducted through all its stages by the rhythmic but sensitive baton of R. Yonah Avtzon.
The mention of Reb Yonah’s name awakens unique and cherished memories in all our hearts. His commitment, determination, and focus, and the tireless energy he showed are still active forces empowering everyone who met him to do their best to emulate. Beyond those traits, the negation of yeshus emphasized by Heichaltzu was perhaps the greatest contribution with which he endowed Sichos in English.
That endowment enabled the comradely spirit that characterized the first translation to be continued in the second, inspiring many individuals to work harmoniously to produce this new translation.
Menachem Mendel Teitelbaum labored tirelessly to convert the initial translation of the maamar to the format of the Lessons in Maamarim series.
Rabbi Eliyahu Touger fine-tuned the translation and added extensive explanations.
Yaakov David, Mendel Jaffe, Schneur Lerner, Yaakov Braun, Meir Avtzon, Rabbi Levi Avtzon, and Rabbi Naftoli Hertz Pewzner, critically reviewed the translation, and clarified many points.
Chayah Berger edited the translation, and Rabbi Zalman Margolin edited the overview and chapter introductions.
Uri Kaploun added masterful contributions in both style and content to the overview and chapter introductions.
Yosef Yitzchok Turner put in hours after hours to produce an attractive and user-friendly text, making sure that the translation corresponded to the Hebrew original.
Rabbi Shmuel Avtzon gracefully wielded the rhythmic but sensitive baton he inherited from his father, not only harmonizing the contributions of all the others, but making his own in both style and content.
Sichos in English
7 Adar, the yahrzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu, 5781 (2021)
