Shneur Zalman Hertzel

Rabbi Shneur Zalman Hertzel (born in 5730, 1970) is a Chabad educator, activist, author, and historian. He previously served as a member of the Spiritual Committee of the Chabadpedia website.

Life History

Born on 27 Shevat 5730 to his father Rabbi Yeshayahu Hertzel and his mother Mrs. Sarah Rachel in Nachalat Har Chabad. He spent his childhood years in Upper Nazareth and Kfar Tavor. In his youth, he studied in Tomchei Tmimim yeshivas in the Holy Land in Kiryat Gat. In 5750, he traveled to the kvutza at the Central Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva at 770 and wrote a fascinating journal which he published twenty years later, toward the year 5770.

After his marriage to his wife, daughter of Rabbi David Eliyahu Moshe Yunik, he lived in Crown Heights and began studying in the Kollel Avrechim under the Rebbe's secretariat.

In the month of Menachem Av 5754, he edited the book "V'Hu Yigaleinu" and founded (together with Rabbi Shlomo Halpern and R' Menachem Mendel Hendel) the Beit Moshiach weekly magazine and began actively editing it until the end of 5755.

He previously served as mashpia in Tomchei Tmimim Ohel Torah Crown Heights, as director of Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva in New Jersey, and as director of Or Menachem Cheder.

Rabbi Hertzel is extensively involved in documenting the wedding days of our Rebbeim, especially the wedding of the Rebbe with the Rebbetzin in 5689, and has published two magnificent albums full of content and documents on this subject.

In the month of Av 5780, he began delivering a daily Rambam class at 770.

In 5782, he began publishing a regular column in Beit Moshiach called 'Taam LaMinhag' in which he reviews the sources of various Chabad customs that coincide with the times of year when the issues are published.

His Works

Some of Rabbi Hertzel's books:

• Nissuei HaNesi'im (1-2) - The book reviews the wedding history of our Rebbeim, from Chabad sources and according to stories of Chassidim. Part 2 reviews the wedding of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach Shlita.
• Shlita - Emunat Chassidim B'Dor HaShvi'i - A booklet explaining the chassidim's belief that the Rebbe is alive and well even after 3 Tammuz 5754. Printed in 5762.
• Shnat Nissim B'Beit Chayeinu - A complete journal of the events of 5750 at 770.
• Tefillin D'Mari Alma - A series of booklets reviewing the bar mitzvahs of our Rebbeim which is expected to be published as a book. So far, booklets have been published about the Baal Shem Tov, the Rebbe Maharash, and the Rebbe Shlita.
• Pninei Geulah - Topics in the teachings of Redemption arranged according to the weekly Torah portions. The book's name was chosen by the Rebbe Shlita. Compiled by Rabbi Hertzel and edited by R' Uziyahu Kaplan. Published in 5753 by the Institute for Spreading the Teachings of Redemption.
• HaKetz - A collection of statements from our Sages about the end of exile, in light of the Rebbe's teachings, along with stories and verses from great Jewish leaders about the end. Published in Elul 5773, with approbations from Rabbi Yosef Yeshaya Braun, Rabbi Aharon Yaakov Schwei, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, and the author's father - Rabbi Yeshayahu Hertzel (first edition - 5760).
• The Rebbe's Bar Mitzvah - Description of the bar mitzvah celebration of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach (in Hebrew and English in the same booklet). Published for 11 Nissan 5775 - 100 years after the bar mitzvah.

His Family

• His daughter Mrs. Sarah Rachel, wife of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Gansbourg - Crown Heights.