The Rebbe Rayatz

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson - the Rebbe Rayatz (12th of Tammuz 5640 - 10th of Shevat 5710) (in Chabad chassidic parlance "the Previous Rebbe" and in the original Yiddish "der frierdiker Rebbe") was the sixth Rebbe in the dynasty of Chabad Rebbes, son of Rabbi Shalom DovBer (the Rebbe Rashab) and Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneerson, and father-in-law of the Rebbe. His resting place is in the Ohel at Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, New York.

Birth

Chabad-Lubavitch
The Chasidic Founders
Baal Shem Tov • The Maggid
The Seven Rebbes of Chabad
Alter Rebbe • Mitteler Rebbe • Tzemach Tzedek • Rebbe Maharash • Rebbe Rashab • Rebbe Rayatz • The Rebbe
General Topics
Chassidus • Beis HaRav • Chasidim • Music • Mivtzoim • Geography
V – T

The Rebbe Rayatz, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, was born on 12th of Tammuz 5640 to his parents the Rebbe Rashab and Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, who had married on 11th of Elul 5635 and had not been blessed with children for several years. On Simchas Torah 5640, when his grandfather the Rebbe Maharash was blessing the women and daughters of the household at his home, his son and daughter-in-law (the parents of Yosef Yitzchak) were forgotten. This incident greatly distressed his mother Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah, and although the matter was immediately corrected and she received her father-in-law's blessing, it did not alleviate her distress. She returned home and burst into tears about not yet being blessed with children and about being forgotten from the blessings.

While crying, she fell asleep and in her dream saw a distinguished man enter her room. When he asked why she was crying, she told him what was weighing on her. The man promised her that in that year she would have a son on the condition that she distribute eighteen rubles to tzedakah from her personal money. He then left the room and returned accompanied by two men and repeated the condition before them. After she agreed, they blessed her and left the room. When she awoke, she told her father-in-law, the Rebbe Maharash, about her dream. The Rebbe Maharash said that the man was his father, the Tzemach Tzedek, and the two who accompanied him were his grandfather the Mitteler Rebbe and his great-grandfather the Alter Rebbe.

To fulfill the man's request for Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah to donate eighteen rubles, she had to sell one of her dresses and distributed the money to tzedakah. Indeed, nine months later, her only son, Yosef Yitzchak, was born.

On the 19th of Tammuz 5640, the Rebbe Rayatz entered into the covenant of Avraham Avinu. During the bris, the Rebbe Rayatz cried, and his grandfather, the Rebbe Maharash, said to him: "Why are you crying? When you grow up you will be..." and say Chassidus clearly. The Rebbe said that he heard from chassidim that the Rebbe Maharash said "when you grow up you will be a Rebbe" but in the Rebbe Rayatz's notes, the word "Rebbe" was omitted.

During the bris, the grandfather the Rebbe Maharash was in an elevated state of joy, delivered a ma'amar, told stories, and sang the Daled Bavos niggun with special emotion.

Childhood and Education

He received his initial and basic education from his great father the Rebbe Rashab, who gave him a pure and authentic chassidic education, as he would later often recount. His father would tell him many stories and would sharpen his memories of things he heard or saw from the great chassidim. In 5644, the Rebbe Rayatz was first brought to cheder under Rabbi Yekusiel melamed dardaki. Rabbi Yekusiel taught the Rebbe Rayatz the alef-beis and would tell him stories about Chassidus and Chabad. In 5645, the Rebbe Rayatz entered the cheder of Reb Zusha melamed dardaki, and in 5646, the Rebbe Rashab began to educate him privately.

The Rebbe Rayatz expressed that from 5648 he became a different person - until then he did not know what a Rebbe was. From that year began a transformation in the Rebbe Rayatz's life and he began to understand more the meaning of a Rebbe, and began to hear ma'amarim from his father, and matters of "Rebbe," and began to fast on fast days. At that time he began learning with the melamed Reb Shimshon.

When he was nine years old in Elul 5649, he began learning with the melamed Reb Nissan Skobla.

In 5654, the Rebbe Rashab appointed the Rashbatz as his son the Rebbe Rayatz's educator and guide, a role he served until 5660, when the Rashbatz was appointed as mashpia in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim.

His father the Rebbe Rashab was naturally weak and needed to travel for long periods to health resorts. During these times, all his education was entrusted to his "melamdim." He received his love for chassidic stories primarily from his teacher Reb Yekusiel and from his grandmother Rebbetzin Rivka. In his youth, the Rebbe Rayatz would memorize mishnayos by heart with the encouragement of his father the Rebbe Rashab, and he would be tested on the mishnayos he knew by heart by Rabbi Moshe Binyamin Meitin 'the examiner.' By 5651, the Rebbe Rayatz was well-versed in Sedarim: Zeraim and Moed. Once, the Rebbe Rayatz complained to his teacher Reb Nissan about forgetting all the stories that were told to him, in response he suggested that he write down all the stories, and indeed from 5652 the Rebbe Rayatz began writing a diary.

Bar Mitzvah

On 10th of Tammuz 5651, at age eleven, his father first took him to the resting places of his ancestors and taught him how he should conduct himself there. Afterwards he told him that since on Shabbos he would turn 11 years old, he wished to teach him the 'seder' that he received from his father who received it from his grandfather until the Alter Rebbe - to begin wearing tefillin at this age. The next day his father called him to his room, took out small tefillin from the drawer and revealed to him that these were the tefillin of his father (the Rebbe Maharash), and instructed him to begin wearing Rashi tefillin without a bracha. At his father's instruction, this was kept secret, and so he would practice each day, entering his father's room to put on tefillin and afterwards going to shul to daven as usual.

Two months before the bar mitzvah, on 11th of Iyar 5653, his father repeated the ma'amar "V'chazakta V'hayisa L'ish." Before the bar mitzvah, the Rebbe Rayatz learned three ma'amarim: one that he delivered publicly on the day of his bar mitzvah, another that he said at the Ohel of his ancestors, and a third whose details of delivery remained secret. Many guests came to the bar mitzvah celebration, and his father the Rebbe Rashab was in special joy, said Chassidus and told stories.

Youth

After becoming bar mitzvah, he would often enter his father's room and would hear ma'amarim, mostly ones that were not said publicly. At age fifteen his father brought him to the Ohel of the Rebbe Maharash and the Tzemach Tzedek and appointed him as his secretary in communal affairs. From the bar mitzvah onwards, the Rebbe Rayatz learned Tanya with his father the Rebbe Rashab three times - after the bar mitzvah, in 5656, and in 5658.

From 5655 until 5660, the Rebbe Rayatz and his father would go out every day in summer for a two-to-three hour walk, except for Monday when they would visit Rebbetzin Rivka. During these walks the Rebbe Rashab would teach the Rebbe Rayatz ma'amarei Chassidus and instructions for his future life.

In 5660 the Rebbe Rayatz learned the craft of shechita, and indeed served as a shochet in practice.

The Rebbe Rayatz's Childhood Journeys

Yalta Journey

Extended article - Yalta Journey In Elul 5646, he traveled with his parents to the city of "Yalta" in Crimea, and returned after Pesach 5647. During this journey he heard and learned much from his father.

The Journey to Mozinkess (5651)

In the summer of 5651, he joined his father on his journey to the village of "Mozinkess" near Lubavitch.

The Journey to Alivke

In 5655, the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz went on 11th of Sivan for the first time to the vacation village of Alivke.

Marriage

For his shidduch, three matches were proposed to the Rebbe Rayatz, two of them daughters of wealthy families who committed to provide a large dowry, and the third was Rebbetzin Nechama Dina, whose parents were poor. The Rebbe Rashab specifically chose this shidduch proposal, over the other two offers, explaining that he wanted his only son the Rebbe Rayatz to marry within the family.

The tena'im between the Rebbe Rayatz and Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneerson were signed on 28th of Sivan 5656 in the town of Alivke. For a week, the parents of the kallah and chosson farbrenged in the month of Tammuz as a continuation of the tena'im.

Due to the kallah's young age (15), the wedding took place more than a year later.

The Wedding

On Friday, Parshas Teitzei, 13th of Elul 5657, at age 17, the wedding took place in the town of Lubavitch. On his wedding day, the chosson wore a shtreimel and at that moment his father told him to make a Shehecheyanu. After the chuppah, the Rebbe Rashab and a large crowd accompanied the chosson and kallah with singing to the hall where the seudah was held. On the way, the Rebbe Rashab said to his son: "V'chazakta v'hayisa l'ish." The seudah was held in the large zal in Lubavitch. During the seudah, the Rebbe Rashab walked around with three chassidim (Reb Meir Mordechai Chernin, Reb Yaakov Kopel Zelikson and Reb Shlomo Chaim Kutain) to ensure the waiters were serving food to everyone and the Rebbe Rashab said l'chaim with each person. Additionally, the Rebbe Rashab said many chassidic discourses. After the wedding, the couple lived in a room built adjacent to the Rebbe Rashab's apartment.

At the Sheva Brachos feast, on Sunday 15th of Elul 5657, the Rebbe Rashab announced his decision to establish Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim where they would learn both nigleh and Chassidus.

On Tuesday 17th of Elul, the Rebbe Rashab selected eighteen students who would form the first nucleus of the new Tomchei Tmimim under the direction of the Rebbe Rayatz.

Menahal of Tomchei Tmimim

Immediately after the Sheva Brachos of the Rebbe Rayatz, at which the Rebbe Rashab announced the opening of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, in 5658, the Rebbe Rayatz was appointed as its active director.

During the Rebbe Rayatz's tenure as director of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim, he was arrested several times and there was one instance when the yeshiva was closed:

On 20th of Sivan in 5662, Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim was closed for one day by order of the authorities. This was following the denouncement by the Maskilim. The Rebbe Rayatz did not comply with the police order and asked Yaakov the builder instead to prepare stairs so the bochurim could enter through the window. The next day a telegram arrived from the police commander giving permission to reopen the yeshiva.

Activities for Russian Jewry

At that time, the Czarist regime made life difficult for the Jews, and therefore the Rebbe Rayatz had to go to the authorities several times to try to soften their stance and change it for the better. Sometimes he had to do this with literal mesiras nefesh and risk to his life.

In 5664-5665, during the Russo-Japanese War, he assisted his father the Rebbe Rashab in supporting Jews who were fighting on the Russian-Japanese front, and ensuring they had kosher food and matzos for Pesach.

After the war, pogroms against Jews began in Russia. The Rebbe Rayatz worked through diplomatic channels to try to get the authorities to stop the pogroms.

In 5670 he assisted his father at the Rabbinical Assembly of 5670, and in 5674 helped fight in the Beilis trial and prove Beilis's innocence.

Acceptance of Leadership

On 2nd of Nissan 5680, the Rebbe Rashab, who was the father of the Rebbe Rayatz, passed away. In his will he wrote that they should appoint his only son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, to succeed him in leading Chabad chassidus and heading Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim. Consequently, on the day of the passing, Chabad chassidim appointed the Rebbe Rayatz to fill his father's place. He also wrote in the will that his son should work on strengthening and establishing the yeshiva and setting up chadarim and shiurim for learning Chassidus in the towns of Russia. In addition to the will, the Rebbe Rayatz also received a personal note from his father which stated: "You shall speak Chassidus before our friends on faithful foundations in the words of our holy fathers z"l, and you shall strive to explain the matters to others with good taste and knowledge." The Rebbe Rayatz showed this note to the chassidim after his father's passing but did not allow it to be copied.

Hiskashrus

The Rebbe Rayatz was well known to the chassidim from their time studying in Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Lubavitch under the management of the Rebbe's son as director, and other chassidim knew him from their visits to the Rebbe's court. Those involved in Chabad institutions and general public activities were in regular contact with the Rebbe's son, who had been his father the Rebbe Rashab's right hand for many years.

The distinguished and respected chassidim wrote letters of encouragement to chassidim in the cities of Russia and included the content of the note. At the same time, Lubavitch communities throughout the Soviet Union began sending letters of hiskashrus which the chassidim signed, requesting the Rebbe Rayatz to accept upon himself the leadership of Chabad chassidus.

Letters of Hiskashrus

Letters of hiskashrus were sent from major Chabad communities at that time such as: Moscow, Odessa, Poltava, Nikolayev, Kharkov and more.

The details of the letters of hiskashrus were not known at all during those years and only after about ninety years were several letters of hiskashrus published in Beis Moshiach weekly, and in each "letter" dozens of chassidim plead and urge the Rebbe Rayatz to accept the yoke of leadership and the signatories commit to obey his instructions and connect to him.

His Arrests

First Arrest

When the Rebbe Rayatz was eleven years old, in the month of Menachem Av of the year 5651, he was walking in the market with his friend on their way from the classroom to eat lunch. On the way, he saw a junior policeman (orderly) jumping on the Hasid Reb David the butcher, whom he knew and had even lent money to for his business, beating him and slapping him until much blood flowed from his nose. The Rebbe Rayatz jumped on the gentile, pushed him, and shouted angrily: "Drunk, despicable one!" The policeman attacked the Rebbe Rayatz and beat him vigorously, forcibly dragging him to the police station, where he was put in a detention room. He sat there for five hours until the policeman who brought him in entered the cell and apologized. In the middle, Mr. Mordechai Zilberbourd entered, who was the secretary of the Rebbe Rayatz's uncle - Shneur Zalman Aharon Schneersohn - and handed a note to the commander, who immediately ordered his release.

Second Arrest

On Wednesday, the 7th of Iyar of the year 5662, the Rebbe Rayatz was then twenty-two years old and headed the management of the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva. A non-religious Jew from the Volhynian Hasidic sect named Perelmutter told the Rebbe Rayatz that Mr. Gitelson, the head teacher at the "Enlightenment Spreaders Society" school, was very angry with Lubavitch Hasidim and the Rebbe at their head, because of their war against the maskilim (enlightenment advocates). He prepared a denunciation letter to the Ministry of Education and the provincial minister, claiming that in the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva they encourage students to dodge army service through forgeries and illegal actions. The accusation was directed at the yeshiva's director - the Rebbe's son, the Rebbe Rayatz.

On Monday, the 12th of Iyar, a policeman accompanied by two men in civilian clothing entered the Rebbe Rayatz's office. They began to generally interrogate him about the yeshiva's arrangements, its care for students, the legality of the yeshiva's financial arrangements, and more. Then they moved to discuss the students' avoidance of military conscription. The interrogation ended shortly, and the three went on their way.

The next day, at eight in the evening, a policeman and a secret service agent arrived at the yeshiva office and ordered the Rebbe Rayatz to accompany them to the police station. The Rebbe Rayatz told them he was a "respectable citizen for generations" and requested not to disturb him so late, promising to appear the next morning around 9-10. To the detective's question of who would guarantee he wouldn't flee that night, the Rebbe Rayatz answered that "Schneersohn does not flee. The Schneersohns are not cowardly fugitives, and they have no reason or cause to be fleeing." The next morning, the Rebbe Rayatz appeared at the police station as he had committed. He was taken to a side room where three people were already waiting, one of whom was the detective from the previous night.

The Rebbe Rayatz did not answer their questions about how many people he had dismissed from army service or how much bribe he was giving police officials to cover up his crimes against the law. One of the policemen was summoned and led the Rebbe Rayatz to jail. Towards evening, the Rebbe Rayatz was called to the secret service rooms, where the senior official told him that although the investigation was not yet complete, the checks done so far had not proven his guilt, and therefore he was released to his home.

Third Arrest

On Wednesday, the 6th of Tevet 5666, a special messenger arrived at the Rebbe Rayatz's residence with an invitation for him to appear at ten o'clock at the investigation committee in the city police station. The invitation form did not specify the reason except for the note "for an urgent and responsible matter". The form was also accompanied by a clear warning: "The absence of the summoned person is punishable by a week's imprisonment or a fine of one thousand rubles!"

At the specified time, the Rebbe Rayatz appeared at the police station's interrogation room. Leading the team of investigators was the provincial minister Mr. Kovtzkov, who knew the Rebbe Rayatz and shook his hand with a heartfelt greeting, even introducing him to the chief secret service officer.

The investigation committee told him that he was taken as a hostage following a disturbance by youths that occurred the previous Friday in the Lubavitch market. The youths had fled, and the police were doing everything in their power to find and prosecute them. They told the Rebbe Rayatz that the government was clear that he and the yeshiva students had no connection to the actions, but he was taken as a guarantee until the Jewish community would surrender the rebellious youths to the royal court. The Rebbe Rayatz was taken to one of the rooms under strict guard.

At five in the evening, a policeman ordered the Rebbe Rayatz to accompany him to the interrogation room. The investigators sat as before and read out the investigation committee's decision: "For the benefit of the investigation about the youths' rebellion against the government, the investigation committee found it necessary to threaten and intimidate the Jewish community leaders, so that they would surrender the rebellious youths and take them out of their hiding places. Alternatively, they would be imposed with a guarantee fine of five hundred rubles for each of the rebellious youths. Second decision: to arrest - for show - Mr. Schneersohn as a guarantee for the rebellious Jews. Therefore, we called Mr. Schneersohn and told him our decision - and he agreed with us. We therefore thank Mr. Schneersohn for helping us with the investigation, and now he is free to go home."

The Rebbe Rayatz was asked to sign the document, but he declared that he was not a member of the investigation committee and therefore had no right to sign its protocols. Regarding himself, it was not correct that he had agreed to be arrested. The secret service official looked at him with piercing eyes and said: "If you do not wish to sign, it is certainly your right; however, know that others relate to our proposals differently." The Rebbe Rayatz stood up, said "Good night," and left.

Fourth Arrest

In the month of Tevet 5670, a Jew named K. informed on the Rebbe Rayatz, and he was arrested in Petersburg. The Rebbe Rayatz writes about this arrest in his notes: "Due to various reasons that cannot be revealed, only a few sections and general notes, which do not damage anyone's honor."

Fifth Arrest

In the month of Shevat 5676, following the Rebbe Rayatz's efforts to obtain legal material and exemption laws for yeshiva students from army service, he was arrested for the fifth time for several hours in Petersburg. During this arrest, he was about thirty-six years old.

Sixth Arrest

In the summer of 5680, during the morning prayer, the Rebbe Rayatz was serving as the prayer leader during the year of mourning for his father, the Rebbe Rashab. In the middle of the prayer, three policemen entered the synagogue, approached the prayer stand, and ordered the Rebbe Rayatz to remove his tallit and tefillin and come with them. The Rebbe Rayatz responded that he first needed to finish the prayer and study the Mishnayot customarily learned after the prayer, for the elevation of the deceased's soul, and only then would he attend to them.

After completing the final Kaddish following the Mishnah study, he removed his tallit and tefillin and accompanied the policemen who surrounded him - one on his right, one on his left, and the third walking behind him.

When he arrived at the "death courtyard", the Rebbe Rayatz was brought into a large hall. About fifteen people, members of the "Religious Inspection Committee", sat around a wide table, with the two most prominent sitting at the head. In front of each sitting person was a loaded gun. The Rebbe Rayatz was seated at the end of the table, with three guards standing beside him.

They turned to the Rebbe Rayatz and said they were occupied with examining the Jewish religion, and he was invited to answer several questions about Jewish law related to Kabbalah and Hasidism. The Rebbe Rayatz responded in Yiddish: "I have already informed you in the two previous times I was called before you that I will not move from my principles; and no person, or even a demon, has been born who can move me from my principles, not even the slightest bit."

One of the attendees interrupted and raised his gun towards the face of the Rebbe Rayatz (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) while saying: "This 'toy' removes principles and is capable of opening the mouth even of the mute." To this, the Rebbe Rayatz responded:

This toy makes an impression only on the faint-hearted who have but one world and many gods. But we, who have one G-d and two worlds, this toy that you are showing not only does not frighten us but also makes no impression whatsoever.

After a brief conversation, an extended dialogue began between the Rebbe Rayatz and his interrogators. To their question whether he believes in the Jewish religion and fulfills mitzvot out of absolute knowledge or out of faith and habit, he replied - out of absolute knowledge. The interrogators asked the Rebbe Rayatz to convince them of the truth of the Jewish religion, and if possible, to bring them to the elevated moral state in which the Rebbe himself was. The Rebbe Rayatz smiled and answered them that he was ready to fulfill their request, but just as a simple person who meets an astronomer on the street and asks him to teach him the science of astronomy, the astronomer would reply that he should come with him to the observatory and there he would properly teach him the wisdom of the stars and their paths. So too I say to you, if you wish to come to absolute knowledge of the religion of G-d and His Torah, come to the house of Hashem, put on tefillin, eat kosher, observe Shabbat, and when your minds and hearts are purified, you will be able to properly understand moral matters, and slowly you will ascend the rungs of intellect on the path to intellectual recognition of the religion of G-d and His Torah.

The interrogation continued for another long hour, after which the Rebbe Rayatz was released to his home.

The Seventh Imprisonment

Expanded Entry: The Imprisonment and Redemption of the Frierdiker Rebbe

Background:

At the beginning of the year 5684 (1924), the Communists were actively working to sever the Jewish people from Torah and mitzvos. The Frierdiker Rebbe, who resided in Rostov, stood as the singular force opposing their efforts. He fearlessly led the Chabad chassidim in the struggle to uphold Yiddishkeit. During that period, the Frierdiker Rebbe traveled to Moscow with the goal of organizing and strengthening Jewish activity there. The GPU authorities in Rostov decided to arrest the Frierdiker Rebbe to put an end to Jewish activity in the city. When the Chabad chassidim became aware of this, they engaged in negotiations with the GPU officials. It was agreed that if the Frierdiker Rebbe would voluntarily leave Rostov, he would not be arrested. On the 23rd of Iyar 5684, the Frierdiker Rebbe left Rostov and moved to the city of Leningrad, where he intensified his activities in the struggle for the preservation of Torah and mitzvos among Soviet Jewry.

The Imprisonment:

Translation of the report: "The Rebbe of Lubavitch, the renowned Rebbe of the Schneersohn dynasty, has been arrested on charges of collecting funds for his yeshiva. The Rebbe’s yeshiva is well-known and esteemed worldwide as one of the most significant yeshivos, and the Rebbe himself is held in great regard. His arrest has caused great agitation in the Jewish world."

Three years later, seeing that the Frierdiker Rebbe's activities were expanding, the Communists decided once again to put an end to them. On the night of Wednesday, the 15th of Sivan 5687 (1927), KGB agents broke into his home, arrested him, and brought him to the Shpalerka prison. He was interrogated for many hours, and at the conclusion, one of the interrogators declared, “Within 24 hours, you will be executed by firing squad!”

Thanks to international pressure and rescue efforts involving Rabbi Mordechai Dubin (a member of the Latvian Parliament), Dr. Oscar Kohn (a member of the German Reichstag), and Mrs. Peshkova (the chairwoman of the Red Cross in Russia), the death sentence was commuted to ten years of exile in the Solovki Islands. Following further intervention by Mrs. Peshkova, the sentence was reduced to three years of exile in the city of Kostroma. On the 3rd of Tammuz 5687, the Frierdiker Rebbe was released from imprisonment and traveled to Kostroma.

At that time, the Chabad chassidim were unsure whether to celebrate the release since it was not yet clear that it was a commutation of the death sentence. In 5752, the Rebbe referred to this day as the “beginning of the redemption” both personally and collectively. He explained that in a certain sense, this day holds an even higher level than the 12th of Tammuz, as it represents a hidden redemption, which is loftier than a revealed redemption, and because it initiated the process culminating in the 12th of Tammuz.

Mrs. Peshkova continued her efforts on behalf of the Frierdiker Rebbe with the Soviet authorities, and on Tuesday, the 12th of Tammuz 5687, when the Frierdiker Rebbe came for his weekly registration, the official informed him that he no longer needed to report, as an order for his complete release had been received. Since that day was a holiday in Kostroma, the release documents were only issued the following day.

The Frierdiker Rebbe stayed for several days in Leningrad. Due to threats from the Yevsektsia and the GPU to arrest him again, he moved to Malachovka, a village near Moscow. After significant efforts, the Frierdiker Rebbe obtained permission to leave for Latvia. On the 24th of Tishrei 5688, he left Russia with his family and settled in Riga. Shortly thereafter, his son-in-law, the Rebbe, joined him. Subsequently, he established the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Gostynin.

In Riga, the Frierdiker Rebbe achieved great accomplishments in communal matters, particularly for the Jews of Soviet Russia.

His Travels

Leaving Russia

After Simchat Torah 5688 (1927), the Rebbe Rayatz left Russia for Latvia, moving Chabad's center from Russia to Latvia.

On Simchat Torah before the departure, many chassidim came to the Rebbe's home in Leningrad to bid farewell. After Simchat Torah, he boarded a train leaving Russia, with thousands of chassidim at the station knowing communication would be limited under Communist rule.

The Rebbe traveled with his family and many books, arriving in Riga, Latvia's democratic capital, where he settled temporarily.

First Visit to Warsaw, Poland

Upon arriving in Riga, Warsaw's Chabad chassidim requested the Rebbe establish his residence in Poland, then the largest Jewish center. The Rebbe initially agreed only to a short visit, arriving on 28 Shevat 5688 (1928). He spent two weeks in Poland and Lithuania, including a Purim farbrengen attended by hundreds of Jews including Anash and Tmimim.

Visit to Eretz Yisrael

On Monday, 2nd Menachem Av 5689 (1929), the Rebbe Rayatz arrived for a visit to Eretz Yisrael. The purpose of the visit was to pray at the graves of tzaddikim in the land, instead of visiting the graves of Chabad Rebbes which was not possible for him. Immediately upon his arrival in Eretz Yisrael, he traveled to Jerusalem and from there continued to visit graves of tzaddikim throughout the country.

During his visit to the Holy Land, he met important rabbis including the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, and the Chief Rabbi of the Holy Land, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook.

One of the places the Rebbe Rayatz visited was Hebron, where he was received by the Jewish residents and stayed at a hotel outside the city. When he left the hotel, the residents accompanied him in a procession along the outer road to the Cave of Machpelah. With the help of the Chassid Rabbi Eliezer Dan Slonim, who was the manager of Anglo-Palestine Bank and had connections with the Arab government in Hebron, a special entry permit was obtained for the Rebbe Rayatz and three companions. When the procession reached "Jacob's Gate" (from where entry was forbidden to Jews), they were greeted by a delegation of Arab dignitaries who gave those authorized to enter leather soles and laces, so they would not have to remove their shoes at the entrance, as was their custom. Upon entering the cave, the Rebbe Rayatz walked in front with his companions, both Jews and Arabs, behind him. The Arab dignitaries explained to the Rebbe Rayatz about the place and the graves. The visit was especially moving and quiet. When they reached "Abraham's Gate," they descended the stairs, down to the seventh step (which was permitted for Jews) and exited. Later, the Rebbe Rayatz also visited the Chabad community in Hebron.

The Rebbe Rayatz also visited the cities of: Afula, Tiberias, Safed, Meron, Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, and Petach Tikvah.

On the 16th of Menachem Av 5689, he concluded his visit and a farewell ceremony was held beginning in Tel Aviv, from where 15 buses departed to accompany the Rebbe Rayatz to the train station in Lod, where about five hundred people from around the country gathered in a special hall provided by the railway management for the Rebbe Rayatz and his escorts. When the train arrived, the Rebbe Rayatz stood on the train steps, turned to the crowd and said:

"A person should not depart from his friend except with a matter of halacha, and since time does not permit to speak, I have hereby delivered a long discourse - entitled 'A person should not depart from his friend except with a matter of halacha.'"

The Rebbe Rayatz traveled by train from Lod together with a group of Chabad rabbis and elders who accompanied him to the train station in Rehovot, from where he departed by another train to Egypt on his way to visit the United States. Just one week after his departure, the 1929 riots broke out, which he had foreseen during his visit, as he wrote about it:

"Scenes of sorrow my heart told me, and spots of blood I saw hovering in the air of Eretz Yisrael, and to the grief of all Israel and my heart, what happened, happened not upon us, and may Hashem have mercy on His people and His inheritance, and send us the righteous redeemer and gather our dispersed from the four corners of the earth, speedily in our days, Amen." — Letter dated 28th Sivan 5690 (1930)

The Rebbe Rayatz's Visit to the United States

After his visit to Eretz Yisrael, the Rebbe Rayatz (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) traveled for a special visit to the United States, at the request of his chassidim there. The visit began on the 12th of Elul 5689 (1929).

The Rebbe arrived in the Crown Heights neighborhood and stayed in the Ahavat Achim Tzemach Tzedek synagogue building and later in a rented apartment on Brooklyn Avenue. Five days after his arrival, the Rebbe called for a meeting on Monday, the 18th of Elul, at his residence at building number 4515 on 14th Avenue in Brooklyn. At this meeting, the Rebbe began his work strengthening Yiddishkeit in the United States and gathering aid for Russian Jewry and Chabad institutions in Poland.

On Rosh Hashanah of the year 5690 (1929), the Rebbe stayed in the Brownsville neighborhood, and on Yom Kippur, he stayed in his chassidim's synagogue in Crown Heights.

During the month, the Rebbe Rayatz traveled for a short visit to the Bronx neighborhood but returned immediately to Crown Heights, where he remained until his trip to Philadelphia in the month of Kislev.

On the 25th of Tishrei, the Rebbe held a special farbrengen where he organized the Agudas Chassidei Chabad of the United States in a structured manner. At that farbrengen, Anash (Chassidim) established their participation in Aguch activities, each in their own location.

On Rosh Chodesh Kislev, the Rebbe farbrenged in the Williamsburg neighborhood, and on the 10th of Kislev, he farbrenged in the Bronx neighborhood.

On the 13th of Kislev, the Rebbe Rayatz traveled by train from New York to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and stayed there for a month. The people of the city organized a special reception for the Rebbe.

On the same day, the Rebbe Rayatz returned to New York to participate in a rabbinical assembly organized in his honor, where he raised awareness about the situation of Russian Jews, and the next day he returned to Philadelphia. On Motzei Shabbat, the 19th of Kislev, a farbrengen was held for the city residents with the Rebbe Rayatz, and on the 22nd of Kislev, the Rebbe Rayatz traveled again to New York for another rabbinical assembly with eight hundred participants, after which he returned again to Philadelphia.

On the 12th of Tevet, the Rebbe Rayatz concluded his visit to the city and traveled to Baltimore - the next stop on his journey. In Baltimore too, a festive and magnificent reception was held for the Rebbe with thousands of city residents participating.

On the 24th of Tevet, the yahrzeit of the Alter Rebbe, the Rebbe farbrenged with more than 1,200 city residents, men and women, and all the rabbis of the city.

On Monday, the 27th of Tevet, the Rebbe Rayatz left for a short visit to Washington, and on the 4th of Shevat, a farewell gathering was held for him where the city residents and leaders thanked him for the visit. The next day, on the 5th of Shevat, he returned to New York and stayed at the Newton Hotel on Broadway at the corner of 94th Street in Manhattan.

On Sunday, the 11th of Shevat, the Rebbe traveled by train from New York to Chicago. There too, a festive reception was held for him with about 5,000 city residents from all backgrounds and types. The Rebbe stayed in the city for about two months, including Purim and Pesach.

In the middle of his visit to Chicago, on Sunday, the 9th of Adar, he traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the next day, on the 10th of Adar, he delivered the maamar (Chassidic discourse) "Vayavo Amalek." On Tuesday, Anash gathered in the city at the Lubavitch synagogue, and the Rebbe Rayatz delivered words of inspiration to them. This visit lasted less than a week, and on Wednesday, the 12th of Adar, the Rebbe Rayatz already returned to Chicago.

The Rebbe also stayed in the cities of St. Louis and Milwaukee, and on the 19th of Sivan 5690 (1930), he began his visit to Massachusetts when he arrived at its capital, Boston, where he stayed until the 3rd of Tammuz.

On his way back, he stopped in the city of Worcester, where rabbis from the nearby city of Springfield came to greet him. From there, he traveled to New York.

The visit ended on the 21st of Tammuz 5690 (1930), when the Rebbe returned to Europe. In the year 5693 (1933), the Rebbe Rayatz moved from Riga to Warsaw (Poland), and in the year 5695 (1935), due to his health condition and doctors' advice, he moved to the town of Otwock.

In Poland

Extended article - Tomchei Temimim Otwock

After several years, the Rebbe Rayatz immigrated to Poland and began to engage in public activism for the benefit of Judaism, especially for the Jews of Russia. He raised money for them, particularly for Kimcha D'Pischa (Passover charity). He also enlisted dozens of rabbis and public figures from Europe, Eretz Yisrael, and the United States during his travels. Among the rabbis who stood by his side were Rabbi Eliezer Silver, Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaCohen, Rabbi Dr. Meir Hildesheimer, Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook, and Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld, as well as Judge Gad Frumkin, Mr. Sam Kramer, and others.

The money collected was transferred to Russia for maintaining chadarim and yeshivas, as well as for supporting rabbis-temimim who were in their towns spreading Judaism. A special department was established for building mikvaot in the Soviet Union. The Rebbe Rayatz also organized prayer gatherings and declared public fast days several times for the Jews of Russia.

The Rebbe's secretaries, Rabbi Yechezkel Feigin and Rabbi Chaim Lieberman, were the ones who coordinated the activities for the Rebbe Rayatz in Poland. When he arrived in the United States, Rabbi Israel Jacobson coordinated the fundraising efforts.

During World War II

Extended article - The Rescue of the Rebbe Rayatz

In 5699 (1939), a few days after the outbreak of World War II, the Rebbe left Otwock and returned to Warsaw, where he was forced to flee from house to house due to German bombings. After the Nazis captured Warsaw, he stayed in the home of Rabbi Yechiel Tzvi Gurary. During that time, reports were published, based on rumors, that the Nazis had captured the Rebbe Rayatz and executed him. Of course, this was a mistake, and denial notices were immediately issued to the press announcing that "His Holy Honor the Lubavitcher Rebbe Shlita is safe and well."

Agudas Chassidei Chabad in the United States worked continuously in attempts to smuggle the Rebbe Rayatz out of Poland. They made contact with officials in the American government, who approached the head of German military intelligence, Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, who worked toward smuggling out the Rebbe Rayatz. Despite the dangerous situation, the Rebbe Rayatz requested that twenty additional people, besides his family members, leave with him. On the 2nd of Tevet 5700 (1939) - the Rebbe Rayatz and his family were smuggled out of Poland, along with twenty people, via Berlin to Riga. After three days, on the 5th of Tevet, they arrived in Riga, and on the 24th of Adar 5700 (1940), they left Riga for Stockholm (Sweden).

On the day the Rebbe Rayatz left Riga, he wrote a general letter for Chabad Chassidim throughout Europe:

"To our friends, Anash, in the Holy Land and in the countries of Europe, may God preserve them... By decree of Divine Providence, as it is said 'From God, a man's steps are established, and He desires his way,' I am traveling with God's help successfully with my family to the United States, may God protect it. Love and connection have no barriers or national boundaries, and this journey of mine should be seen by those attached to my heart and beloved to my soul, our friends Anash, and students of Temimim, and those who cherish Torah and observe mitzvot, may God preserve them, as if I am merely relocating from one city to another within the same country. For even as I travel, I am - with God's help and by the merit of my holy fathers and teachers of blessed memory - with you, among you, as until now in essential love that has no interruption and comes with feeling like water, face to face." — Igrot Kodesh

On the 25th of Adar 5700 (1940), they traveled from Stockholm by train to Gothenburg, from where they sailed on the ship "Drottningholm" to the United States.

United States

Reception

The Rebbe Rayatz arrives in the USA, 5700 (1940)

On Monday, 8 Adar II 5700 (1940), after twelve days of sailing, the Rebbe Rayatz arrived on the ship "Drottningholm," together with his wife Rebbetzin Nechama Dina Schneerson and his mother Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah Schneerson, at a port in the United States (on West 57th Street in New York, Pier 97). Since United States law at that time did not allow passengers who arrived after 4 PM to disembark, the passengers were forced to wait until the next morning to leave the ship.

On Tuesday, thousands of Chassidim came to greet the Rebbe Rayatz. When he exited the ship, the crowd loudly proclaimed "Shalom Aleichem," and some of the crowd even recited the "Shehecheyanu" blessing. Among those welcoming him were delegations from Jewish organizations in the United States, and even the mayor sent a representative to greet the Rebbe Rayatz. After a brief reception in the port hall, the Rebbe Rayatz went to the Greystone Hotel in Manhattan, where he stayed during his first period in the United States.

Founding of Tomchei Tmimim

Upon arriving at the hotel, another reception was held, this time in a more limited format. In the middle of it, the Rebbe Rayatz suddenly announced: "I have the pleasure to publicize the decision that was accepted at the special meeting of the select individuals of Anash, which took place a few hours ago, that in the 'Oneg Shabbat' synagogue, tomorrow with God's help, 'Yeshivat Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch' will open in America!" He did not stop at the announcement and asked for the help of those present: "I hope to Hashem that the great Rabbis, Torah institutions and supporters of Torah with fear of Heaven together with my beloved friends Anash, may Hashem be upon them, at the forefront, will come to my aid in continuing my work in spreading Torah and fear of Heaven and in community service."

The Rebbe's first message upon his arrival was that "America is no different."

770

On the 12th of Av 5700 (1940), the building at 770 Eastern Parkway in the Crown Heights neighborhood was purchased to serve as the Rebbe's residence and synagogue. About a month later, on the 19th of Elul, the Rebbe Rayatz moved in to live in the building. On the 21st of Elul 5700, a house dedication ceremony was held.

The living room of the Rebbe Rayatz's apartment on the second floor of 770. In this place, the Rebbe held holiday meals, even after the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz.

In the month of Tammuz in the year 5701 (1941), the Rebbe Rayatz established Agudas Chassidei Chabad in Eretz Yisrael, with the goal "to awaken the Chabad Chassidim in Eretz Yisrael to arrange public study of Chassidus in every place according to the level of those who come to participate in the study and to establish times to gather to discuss matters of Chassidus and love of fellow Jews."

Torah Scroll of Moshiach

On the 23rd of Tishrei 5702 (1941), during the farbrengen before the hakafot on the night of Simchat Torah, the Rebbe Rayatz announced the writing of a Torah scroll for Moshiach. On the 2nd of Iyar 5702, the writing began with all expenses coming from the Rebbe Rayatz's personal account. Donations received for the Torah scroll were transferred to the fund of the Center for Educational Matters. The writing of the Torah scroll stopped at some point and only twenty-eight years later, on the 9th of Shevat 5730 (1970), was the completion and dedication of the Torah scroll held at 770, initiated by the Rebbe.

Saving Jews During the Holocaust

During World War II, the Rebbe Rayatz (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) was extensively involved in rescuing Jews from burning Europe and bringing them to free countries, sending food packages to Jews in Europe, rescuing students of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim from Europe, as well as rescuing the Admorim of Gur and Belz from the inferno, and more. The Rebbe Rayatz dedicated special efforts to saving students of Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim in Poland and evacuating them to other countries, including a group of students who reached Shanghai.

Rescue via Sweden

Special operations were conducted through Sweden, which was a neutral country, where several rabbis and activists operated throughout the war years, including the Chabad rabbis - Rabbi Yaakov Yisroel Zuber and Rabbi Yisroel Chasdan, who were involved in rescuing the Rebbe Rayatz, rescuing Anash and Tmimim (Chassidim and yeshiva students), saving the Rebbe Rayatz's library, and more. About this, the Rebbe Rayatz wrote in a letter: "Agudas Chassidei Chabad in Stockholm, led by Rabbi Zuber and Shochet Chasdan, both students of Tomchei Tmimim - obtained nearly three thousand visas to Japan for our students and for..."

Rescuing Dutch Children

In 5708 (1948), he worked to rescue Jewish children who had been hidden in Holland during World War II with gentile foster families, and to transfer them to Jewish families.

Establishing Tomchei Tmimim in the USA and Eretz Yisroel

During the ten years the Rebbe Rayatz lived in the United States, until his passing, he worked to establish Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim and Achei Tmimim in the United States, Europe, and the Holy Land.

Founder of Kfar Chabad

On the 21st of Iyar 5709 (1949), he founded the settlement Kfar Chabad, and a few months earlier, Chabad chassidim settled on the outskirts of Lod. The Rebbe Rayatz provided detailed instructions and guidance regarding the establishment of Kfar Chabad and its institutions and their development.

He directed and helped Anash refugees reach permanent places of residence in the United States, Israel, and many other countries.

Niggun HaBeinoni

During the Rebbe Rayatz's farbrengens (gatherings) in the United States, the chassidim would sing the Niggun HaBeinoni (The Intermediate Melody) composed by the chassid Reb Aharon Charitonov.

Receiving Citizenship

On Thursday, the 16th of Adar 5709 (1949), a special delegation from the United States government arrived at the home of the Rebbe Rayatz to grant him American citizenship. This was preceded by the passage of a special law allowing citizenship to be granted to a person in their home, without them having to appear at government offices.

The delegation was received in the Rebbe Rayatz's room while he was dressed in silk garments and wearing a shtreimel. First, the Rebbe Rayatz delivered a short talk for the occasion, clarifying that Divine Providence had led him specifically here, because from this place, from the United States, it was fitting that the dissemination of Judaism and the spreading of Chassidic teachings should be conducted. After the talk, the Rebbe Rayatz signed the documents and expressed his allegiance to the country by raising his hand, and citizenship was granted. At the end, the Rebbe Rayatz bid farewell to the delegation members with a smile and a handshake. His son-in-law, the Rebbe, accompanied the meeting and helped as needed. The Rebbe also arranged for two of the highest quality photographers of those days to document the event from two angles, and even invited a color video photographer.

His Passing

The Rebbe entering the ohel built over the grave of the Previous Rebbe (Admo"r HaRayatz)

The Previous Rebbe (Admo"r HaRayatz) suffered greatly throughout his life, and from the year 5690 (1930), as a result of a serious illness, his sufferings increased and walking and speaking became difficult for him [54]. On the 10th of Shevat 5710 (January 28, 1950), on the holy Shabbat of Parshat Bo, at eight in the morning, he passed away. The next day, Sunday the 11th of Shevat, the funeral took place and tens of thousands of people accompanied his coffin on its way to the "Montefiore" cemetery in Queens, New York. A special ohel was built over his grave, which was expanded and renovated over the years.

Morocco

The Previous Rebbe (Admo"r HaRayatz) continued the work of his father, the Rebbe Rashab, among Sephardic Jews, through emissaries to Georgia, including Rabbi Shmuel Levitin and Rabbi Avraham Levi Salin, and to Uzbekistan - Rabbi Simcha Gorodetzky.

Shortly before his passing, the Previous Rebbe initiated a mission to Morocco, and even chose Rabbi Michael Lipsker to be the first emissary to Morocco, but this did not materialize and Rabbi Lipsker was not even informed about it. After the passing, the Rebbe sent Rabbi Michael Lipsker and later Rabbi Shlomo Matusof, Rabbi Shalom Edelman, Rabbi Yehuda Leib Raskin, and additional emissaries to Morocco to establish educational institutions under the Ohale Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch (Morocco) network, named after the Previous Rebbe.

School Network Named After the Previous Rebbe

In 5712 (1952), the Rebbe instructed Rabbi Zusha Wilmovsky to establish in Israel a network similar to what they had established in Morocco, called the Ohale Yosef Yitzchok network. Over the years, many institutions have been named after the Previous Rebbe.

Customs of the Previous Rebbe's Yahrzeit

On the 10th of Shevat, Chabad Chassidim follow special customs, according to a letter of request from the Rebbe [55].

Family

• Daughter Chana - wife of R' Shmarya Gurary
• Daughter Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka - wife of the Rebbe
• Daughter Rebbetzin Sheina Horenstein HY"D - wife of R' Menachem Mendel Horenstein HY"D, both perished in the Holocaust

Works

The Rebbe Rayatz wrote extensively, documenting what he heard from his father, family members and elder chassidim, some as "Reshimos" and some as stories like "Sefer HaZichronos":

• Sefer HaMaamarim
• Sefer HaSichos
• Sefer HaZichronos
• Igros Kodesh
• Kuntres Admur HaTzemach Tzedek V'Tenuvas HaHaskala - About the Tzemach Tzedek's battle with maskilim
• Kuntres Divrei Yemei HaChozrim
• Hisyasdus Agudas Yisroel
• Likkutei Dibburim - Collection of talks published by Hatamim, rearranged in 5 volumes
• Kuntres Klalei HaChinuch V'Hadrcha
• Kuntres Toras HaChassidus - Brief explanation of Chassidus and prayer, published 5706 (1946)
• Kuntres Limud HaChassidus - About everyone's obligation to study Chassidus
• Kovetz Michtavim Al Amiras Tehillim - About saying Tehillim, printed in Tehillim Ohel Yosef Yitzchak

Secretaries

• R' Chaim Mordechai Aizik Chodokov
• R' Alter Dober Chaskind
• R' Chaim Lieberman
• R' Nissan Mindel
• R' Elchonon Dov Morozov
• R' Eliyahu Yeichil Simpson
• R' Yechezkel Feigin
• R' Eliyahu Kvint
• R' Chaim Shneur Zalman Kozliner
• R' Moshe Leib Rodshtein
• R' Nachum Shmarya Sossonkin

See Also

• The Ohel
• Prayers during the Holocaust by the Rebbe Rayatz
• The Rebbe and the German Officer (film)

Further Reading

• Rabbi Shneur Zalman Hertzel, Marriages of the Leaders Part 1, Chapter on the Wedding of the Rebbe Rayatz
• Rabbi Shalom Dovber Levin, "History of Chabad in Czarist Russia"[59], Kehot, New York, 5770 (2010)
• Sefer HaToldot - Admor HaRayatz, Avraham Chanoch Glitzenstein
• Asher Zalka Rand (editor), "Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn Shlita", History of Famous People Vol. 1, New York, 5710 (1950), pp. 138-139, on HebrewBooks website
• Rabbi Menachem Ziegelboim, Istalak Yekara, The Passing of the Rebbe Rayatz page 207
• Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Greenberg and Rabbi Eliezer Yehoshua Zaklikovsky, Early Days, The Passing of the Rebbe Rayatz, including memories, documents and newspaper clippings
• Shneur Zalman Berger, History of Chabad in Petersburg, Chapter 12 - The Rebbe Rayatz in Leningrad, Chapter 15 - The Rebbe Rayatz in Prison
• Rabboteinu Nesi'einu - Admor HaRayatz
• The Sixth Prince - Rabbi Menachem Ziegelboim, 5769 (2009)
• Chasdei Yisrael, History of Rabbi Yisrael Chasdan 5783 (2023), Chapter 14 The Rescue of the Rebbe Rayatz
• The Rebbe's Journey to the Holy Land - Rabbi David Ze'ev Rotenberg, ASHEL - Kfar Chabad Publishing, 5757 (1997)
• The Shlichut Initiative in Morocco: Rabbi Shneur Zalman Berger, Chabad in Morocco, Documentation of Chabad activities in Morocco, Cheshvan 5777 (2016). Chapter 1
• Album Bemistarim - Askila Publishing 5773 (2013)
• Heavenly Visions, Collection from his writings in which he describes various visions he merited throughout the years, Beit Moshiach Weekly 2 Nissan 5780 (2020) page 38
• When the Rebbe Smiles, Beit Moshiach Weekly 9 Shevat 5781 (2021) page 58, in the column 'Look at Your Moshiach'
• The Sixth Prince in the Struggle for the Good of Israel, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Berger, Beit Moshiach magazine issue #1293 pp. 38-43
• Active Manager, Rabbi Shlomo Barda, HaTamim magazine issue #41 pp. 54-65
• The Journey of the Rebbe Rayatz to the Holy Land - Beit Moshiach Weekly 239
• Rabbi Yisrael Zisel Dvoretz, Memories of the Rebbe Rayatz's Journey to the Holy Land, Beit Moshiach Weekly 885
• Shneur Zalman Berger, Chabad in the Holocaust (series) - Regarding the rescue of the Rebbe Rayatz during the Holocaust, his multifaceted rescue and aid activities during the Holocaust period, and spiritual activities during the Holocaust

External Links

Childhood

• Menachem Zigelboim, "The Sixth Prince" - A book documenting the childhood years, on the Otzar HaChochma website
• Menachem Zigelboim, "A Soul Descended in Lubavitch" - The story of the birth of the Rebbe Rayatz on the 30th of Tishrei 5771 (10/08/2010)
• Rabbi and historian Dov Levanoni, "Life of Heroism, Self-Sacrifice, and Miracles" - Review of the activities and rescue of the Rebbe Rayatz in Communist Russia, Nazi Warsaw, and the United States (English) - Video and annotated document

Marriage

• Menachem Zigelboim, "Marriage of the President" - Description of the wedding celebration of the Rebbe Rayatz, from the Beit Moshiach weekly, 13th Elul 5771 (09/12/2011)

Imprisonment and Redemption (12-13 Tammuz)

• The Undefeated - Booklet published by Tzach
• The story in brief on the website
• The story of imprisonment and redemption on the website
• Shneur Zalman Berger, The story of imprisonment and redemption from the book "History of Chabad in Petersburg"
• The Imprisonment and Redemption published by "The Union of Chassidim to Receive Moshiach"

The Visit to the Holy Land

• "Kol Israel" reports: The Lubavitcher Rebbe in Eretz Israel
• Der Lubavitcher Rebbe (Yiddish)
• Overview of the visit in Beit Moshiach newspaper
• Ehud Ein Gil, Ten Days Before the Massacre, Haaretz newspaper
• Dibat Ha'aretz - Mishpacha newspaper article about the visit

During the Holocaust Period

• Zalman Ruderman, "The Miracle of Rescue from Burning Europe"
• Shneur Zalman Berger, "From Survivors to Rescuers," presentation about the experiences of the Rebbe Rayatz and the Rebbe during the Holocaust
• "His Efforts to Rescue Rebbes During the Holocaust"

In the United States

• My Story issue #508, "The Girl Who Witnessed History," interview with Judith Bloch, who describes in first person her experiences as a child at the welcoming reception when the Rebbe Rayatz arrived in the United States

Passing

• "Back to the Moving Moments: The Funeral Procession of the Rebbe Rayatz"
• Hillel Zaltzman, Memories from 10th Shevat 5710, Beit Moshiach weekly
• Menachem Zigelboim, "Suddenly, on Shabbat Morning... Description of the Passing," Beit Moshiach weekly, from the book "Istalak Yekara," 9th Shevat 5773 (01/20/2013)
• What the Gentile Police Officer Told at the Funeral of the Rebbe Rayatz

Audio

• "Ach L'Elokim" at the Rebbe Rayatz's farbrengen - from the website 'Redemptive Moisture'
• Devekut at the Rebbe Rayatz's farbrengen - from the website 'Redemptive Moisture'

His Books

• Sefer HaMaamarim - 5688 - HebrewBooks website
• Sefer HaMaamarim - Yiddish - HebrewBooks website
• Sefer HaMaamarim years 5689 and 5692-5693, on the Chabad Library website (link inactive, 28th Iyar 5783)
• Sefer HaSichot from the years 5680-5687, 5688-5691, 5706-5710, text format - Chabad Library website (link inactive, 28th Iyar 5783)
• 'Kuntres Torat HaChassidut' - HebrewBooks website
• 'Kuntres Limud HaChassidut' - HebrewBooks website
• Kuntres Admor Tzemach Tzedek and the Haskalah Movement - Chabad Library website (link inactive, 28th Iyar 5783)
• Igrot Kodesh volumes in PDF format on HebrewBooks website: Volume 1 ● Volume 2 - (5688-5693) ● Volume 3 - (Tammuz 5693-5696) ● Volume 4 - (5697-5699) ● Volume 5 - (5700-5701) ● Volume 6 - (5702) ● Volume 7 - (5703) ● Volume 8 - (5704-5705) ● Volume 9 - (5706-5708) ● Volume 10 - (5709-5710 and undated) ● Volume 11 - (Supplements, 5660-5699) ● Volume 12 - (Supplements, 5700-5710 and index to volumes 1-12) ● Volume 13 - (Supplements, 5661-5710) ● Volume 14 - (Supplements)

Photos

• Gallery of photos of the Rebbe Rayatz
• Gallery of photos from the Rebbe Rayatz
• Gallery of photos from the citizenship ceremony of the Rebbe Rayatz
• Gallery of rare photos of the Rebbe Rayatz
• "Huge and rare gallery of the Rebbe Rayatz • Exclusive," on the 'Redemptive Moisture' website
• Hundreds of photos of the Rebbe Rayatz

Press

• "When Haaretz newspaper published an interview with the Rebbe Rayatz • Historic"

Stories

• Nathan Avraham, When the Rebbe Rayatz appeared in a dream to an 11-year-old girl, Beit Moshiach weekly (link inactive, 28th Iyar 5783)

About His Character

• HaTamim issue 49 pages 46-55 - The Rebbe Rayatz, father of the world of yeshivas
• Menachem Bronpman, "Why in the Rebbe's eyes is he one of the most heroic Jewish figures at the turn of the 20th century?", on the Alei Sefer website