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Three years after establishing the yeshiva, on Simchas Torah 1901, The Rebbe Rashab gave a talk to Tmimim students based on Chazal's statement "Anyone going to war for Beis Dovid writes a divorce document for his wife." He explained the Tmimim students' purpose and established additional points in their required work as soldiers of Beis Dovid. | Three years after establishing the yeshiva, on Simchas Torah 1901, The Rebbe Rashab gave a talk to Tmimim students based on Chazal's statement "Anyone going to war for Beis Dovid writes a divorce document for his wife." He explained the Tmimim students' purpose and established additional points in their required work as soldiers of Beis Dovid. | ||
= Health = | == Health == | ||
The Rebbe Rashab had a weak constitution and often fell ill. Consequently, he spent much time traveling to health resorts and specialist doctors. In 1884, he first began traveling to healing places, mainly warm coastal countries. In 1886, he went to the Yalta mountains, uniquely bringing his whole family unlike other journeys. | The Rebbe Rashab had a weak constitution and often fell ill. Consequently, he spent much time traveling to health resorts and specialist doctors. In 1884, he first began traveling to healing places, mainly warm coastal countries. In 1886, he went to the Yalta mountains, uniquely bringing his whole family unlike other journeys. | ||
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In winter 1903, he traveled to Vienna with his son the Rayatz and met Dr. Sigmund Freud due to loss of feeling in his left hand. Freud gave The Rebbe Rashab electrical treatment and they discussed various matters. In their conversation, the Rebbe explained how to connect mind and heart so the mind could spiritually enrich the heart. | In winter 1903, he traveled to Vienna with his son the Rayatz and met Dr. Sigmund Freud due to loss of feeling in his left hand. Freud gave The Rebbe Rashab electrical treatment and they discussed various matters. In their conversation, the Rebbe explained how to connect mind and heart so the mind could spiritually enrich the heart. | ||
== | == End of Life == | ||
====== Move to Rostov ====== | |||
In Cheshvan 5676 (1915), the Rebbe Rashab left Lubavitch and moved to Rostov due to World War I. | |||
== Passing == | |||
In winter 5680 (1920), the Bolsheviks captured Rostov after a long civil war. Due to dangerous roads and the occupation, the court diminished and the Rebbe requested people not come. Prayers and maamarim were conducted with minimal minyanim. | |||
At the end of Adar, the Rebbe Rashab fell ill. On Motzei Shabbos, the eve of 2 Nissan 5680 (1920) at 4am, it was clear these were his final moments. His eyes closed in dveikus and his breathing weakened. The Frierdiker Rebbe cried out "Tatte! Tatte!" several times. When he stopped breathing and the Frierdiker Rebbe called out again, the Rebbe opened his eyes, looked at him, and two tears fell from his holy eyes before closing again. The Rebbe Rashab straightened his head, arranged his hands and feet, and his holy soul ascended in holiness and purity. | |||
After the passing, the Chevra Kadisha called some Anash to choose an appropriate burial place. R' Moshe Dober Rivkin, R' Shmuel Gurary, R' Nosson Gurary, R' Tzvi Hirsh Gurary, R' Zalman Havlin, and R' Y. Levin decided to bury him near the shamash's house. The Frierdiker Rebbe came and approved the location. | |||
The elders and respected Anash performed the tahara. They reported that the Rebbe Rashab's holy face maintained vitality throughout, with a slight smile on his lips. A burial coffin was built from the bima boards of the beis medrash and the Rebbe Rashab's shtender. Besides shrouds, he was wrapped in the Shabbos tallis he prayed with in his final days. | |||
All Rostov Jews participated in the funeral. Before burial, the Frierdiker Rebbe designated R' Avrohom Boruch Pozner, R' Eliezer Krasik and another chossid as a special beis din, stating the burial was conditional and he retained rights to transfer the holy remains to his ancestors' graves in Lubavitch. An ohel was erected over the Rebbe Rashab's grave. | |||
== Moving the Ohel == | |||
In winter 5699 (1939), Rostov authorities planned to destroy the cemetery to build new buildings. The chassidim decided to move the ohel to another cemetery on Takucheva Street 155. The Frierdiker Rebbe approved the transfer. Instructions for handling the holy remains came from R' Levi Yitzchok Schneerson (the Rebbe's father). | |||
The actual transfer took place in Adar 5700 (1940) by a minyan of chassidim including: R' Tzemach Kutman, R' Mendel Kantor (the Rebbe's attendant), R' Moshe Wolf Labak, R' Nachman Lokshin, R' Avrohom Katznelson, R' Yona Eidelkop, and R' Chaim Yisroel Epstein. No monument was erected at the new cemetery. The marker for the Rebbe Rashab's resting place was a tree at his head and a mound of earth. To prevent others from being buried next to the Rebbe, the chassidim made six additional earth mounds as if others were buried there. | |||
In 5749 (1989), with the Rebbe's approval, the monument and fence were erected by R' Dovid Nachshon and R' Avi Taub. | |||
After the passing, his only son, the Frierdiker Rebbe, assumed leadership. | |||
== His Shluchim in Russia == | |||
The Rebbe Rashab sent mature or married Tomchei Tmimim graduates as his shluchim to Russian communities to strengthen Yiddishkeit. | |||
== His Shluchim to Sefardic Jews == | |||
The Rebbe Rashab worked among Sefardic Jews through shluchim: | |||
* Georgia - sent R' Shmuel Levitin, R' Avrohom Levi Slavin and others | |||
* Bukhara - sent R' Shlomo Yehuda Leib Eliezrov and R' Avrohom Chaim Naeh to Samarkand | |||
* Caucasus - sent R' Shemaryahu Sasonkin | |||
== His Picture == | |||
The Rebbe Rashab was particular about not being photographed. The only time he agreed was in 5680 (1920), near his passing, when there were plans for the Rebbe and family to travel from Rostov. For passport purposes he was photographed, which is the known picture of him. | |||
The Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka noted the picture didn't capture his true appearance. Therefore R' Nachum Yitzchok Kaplan drew the Rebbe Rashab's likeness from memory wearing a shtreimel. After the Rebbetzin's corrections, she expressed satisfaction. | |||
In 5780 (2020), a new picture was discovered with Hebrew writing "Rabbi Shalom Dober Schneerson 5668" and in Russian "Moscow 1908". Discussion arose whether it was indeed the Rebbe Rashab or a relative. | |||
== His Nigunim == | |||
# Min Hametzar - on verses before shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah | |||
# Brochos Before Tekios - on blessings before shofar blowing | |||
# Verses After Tekios - on verses after shofar blowing | |||
# Rostov Nigun - sung during his time in Rostov | |||
# Preparation for 4 Bavos - nigun beloved to him, sung as preparation for the 4 Bavos nigun | |||
== His Seforim == | |||
# Igros Kodesh - his letters, published in six volumes | |||
# B'Shaah Shehikdimu 5672 - long hemshech explaining core Chassidic concepts | |||
# Sefer HaMaamarim - series of his maamarim during his leadership | |||
# Sefer HaSichos Toras Shalom - his sichos from farbrengens during holidays | |||
# Hagahos on Posach Eliyahu - 5658 | |||
# Kuntreisim: | |||
#* Chanoch L'Naar - his first will | |||
#* Kuntres U'Maayan - series on the posuk "U'maayan m'beis Hashem" | |||
#* Kuntres HaTefillah - extensive explanation on prayer | |||
#* Kuntres Eitz HaChaim - written for Tomchei Tmimim students | |||
#* Kuntres HaAvodah - for Tmimim on proper avodas Hashem Also wrote an article for Ohr L'Yesharim | |||
== His Family == | |||
* His only son, R' Yosef Yitzchok - the Frierdiker Rebbe | |||
* Granddaughter Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the Rebbe's wife | |||
* Granddaughter Chana Gurary | |||
* Granddaughter Sheina Horenstein | |||
== Further Reading == | |||
====== Early Years ====== | |||
* Secret meeting in the Tzemach Tzedek's holy room - Beis Moshiach magazine Kislev 5781 | |||
* The early years, childhood period - Kfar Chabad 1882 | |||
* Rebbe Rashab's tenaim - Beis Moshiach 206 | |||
* R' Zalman Hertzel on the Rebbe Rashab and Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah's wedding | |||
== Accepting Leadership == | |||
* R' Menachem Ziegelboim on Rebbe Rashab accepting leadership - Beis Moshiach 595 | |||
== Passing == | |||
* R' Moshe Dober Rivkin's "Ishkavta D'Rebbi" - Documentation of final illness, passing and funeral | |||
* R' Shneur Zalman Berger, Chabad Community in Rostov - Beis Moshiach 595 | |||
* The Mashpia Who Never Returned - Passing account by R' Avrohom Boruch Pozner | |||
* Passing and Ohel of Rebbe Rashab - Beis Moshiach 273 | |||
* Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah's letter to R' Shmuel Bezpalov about the passing | |||
* Passing and funeral of Rebbe Rashab - Lev Ha'Ari | |||
* R' Shneur Zalman Berger - Documentation of moving Rebbe Rashab's Ohel | |||
* R' Menachem Ziegelboim's "Estalak Yekara" - Stories of Chabad Rebbes' passing | |||
* R' Elishiv Kaplan's "Inside the Exile" - Jewish community in Rostov | |||