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Argentina’s President Javier Milei has spoken about the influence of the Rebbe’s teachings and has visited his grave during trips to New York.
By Shula Rosen
A BBC interview with author Levi Shmotkin has brought renewed attention to Letters for Life, a book based on the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s teachings on emotional well-being, as it ranks No. 5 on Argentina’s national bestseller list, VinNews reported.
The Spanish edition of the book entered the top 10 in weekly charts published by Yenny/El Ateneo, the country’s largest bookstore chain, which tracks sales across its retail stores.
Following its ranking, the book is now being sold in airports and shopping centers across Argentina.
The interview, conducted by BBC journalist Talat-Farooq Awan and aired on a nationally syndicated Sunday morning radio program, explored the book’s origins and its broader appeal.
“I was a regular teenager, studying and trying to focus on my academic roles, but my inner world was distracting me. I’d be sitting there with my textbooks, but my brain and my heart weren’t there,” Shmotkin said.
He described how he turned to the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s writings for guidance. “I found myself gravitating toward the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s letters. He was a great Jewish sage who counseled thousands of people through personal correspondence about their emotional and mental lives. As I read letter after letter, the guidance rooted in Jewish wisdom felt like it was coming off the page and speaking directly to me.”
Asked about the relevance of the Rebbe’s teachings today, Shmotkin said, “Its relevance comes precisely from where it differs from popular culture. While there’s a strong focus today on emotional health, The Rebbe consistently emphasized that true emotional well-being requires expanding beyond self-absorption and self-obsession.”
The book’s rise in Argentina comes amid increased public interest in the Lubavitcher Rebbe tied to President Javier Milei, who has spoken about the influence of the Rebbe’s teachings and has visited the Rebbe’s grave during trips to New York.
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox said the book is “an extremely well-researched compendium of profound insights,” while Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hirsch Weinreb said it offers “wise guidance, practical guidance, effective guidance.”
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