Chaim Shneur Zalman Marozov

Rebbi Chaim Shneur Zalman Marozov (18 Kislev 5692 - 9 Nissan 5763 / December 7, 1931 - April 11, 2003) was a mashpia of the Chabad community in Montreal.

Life History

Reb Zalman was born in Leningrad (Petersburg) on 18 Kislev 5692 to his father Reb Dovid Leib, the firstborn son of the renowned chassid Reb Elchanan Dov Marozov, and to his mother Mrs. Tzeita, daughter of Rabbi Chaim Shneur Zalman Itkin of Nevel, after whom he was named.

When World War II broke out, his family fled to Siberia, where his father was taken to the front, and his mother raised all the children by herself for several years.

Later, his family escaped to Samarkand where he studied in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim until 19 Kislev 5707. At that time, he fled Russia together with his father as part of the "Great Escape."

Between the years 5707-5712 (1947-1952), he studied under Reb Nissan Nemenov in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Brunoy.

In 5712 (1952), he moved with his family to Montreal and studied at the Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva there. On 27 Elul 5713, he traveled for the first time to the Rebbe to spend Rosh Hashanah in his presence.

In 5717 (1957), he married his wife Mrs. Chana Chaya, daughter of Reb Naftali Junik, and settled in Montreal, where he earned his livelihood as the chassidic shochet in the city.

Following the Rebbe's directive (Shabbos Parshas Shemos 5737), he was appointed as mashpia of the community together with Reb Yehoshua Heschel Zeitlin and Reb Moshe Eliyahu Gerlitzky, although he was not comfortable with how the community related to him as a mashpia. Nevertheless, he functioned as a mashpia for the yeshiva students in Montreal and for anash (community members). In the month of Adar 5755, he suffered a stroke, and for eight years he was paralyzed throughout his body, until he passed away on 8 Nissan 5763.

His Farbrengens

Although he did not farbreng formally in the yeshiva, he would farbreng in his home many times (especially with the tmimim) particularly on Shabbos nights, and many would flock to his farbrengens because of his unique style.

In his farbrengens, he was capable of speaking for several consecutive hours on a single topic, and would only pause to say l'chaim. Sometimes he would sing a niggun, which was a sign of special inspiration, and then they could sing one niggun for several hours. Being a man of truth, he did not tolerate formality and externality; he sang when he felt the need to sing, spoke what he felt the need to speak about and what he truly believed in, even when not everyone "liked" to hear those things. Reb Zalman "lived" what he spoke about, and therefore his words were deeply engraved in the heart.

In his farbrengens, he would frequently encourage the coming of Moshiach, which is an internal matter, not merely salvation from troubles. He also emphasized the Rebbe's demand to live with Moshiach - a life that encompasses the entire body, even if only for a brief moment.

His Family

• Mrs. Devorah Volosov - former director of the cheder preparatory program at Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Crown Heights.
• Mrs. Rivka Baumgarten, Crown Heights.
• Mrs. Nechama Perlstein, wife of Reb Naftali Tzvi Perlstein, son of Rabbi Eliezer Perlstein, director of the Chai Center institution in Montreal.
• Mrs. Mali, wife of Reb Berel Erentroy, Montreal.
• His son Reb Yosef Marozov, son-in-law of Rabbi Shalom Ber Eichhorn, shochet in Montreal.
• His son Reb Menachem Mendel Marozov, director of girls' institutions in Montreal.

Further Reading

• His farbrengens as published in the HaTamim journals and in the Beis Moshiach weekly and in various teshuros, from the notes of his student Rabbi Asher Farkash.
• Yosef Ashkenazi, Otzar HaChassidim - Personalities and Chassidic Teachings of Chabad Mashpi'im Around the World, published by Chazak, 5774