The Tzemach Tzedek

The Tzemach Tzedek is the third Nasi in the dynasty of Chabad Rebbes. Born on Sunday, 29th of Elul 5549 in the city of Liozna, to Rabbi Shalom Shachna and Devorah Leah Altschuler. He passed away on 13th of Nissan 5626 and his resting place is in Lubavitch.

He is called 'Tzemach Tzedek' after his sefer Tzemach Tzedek.

Birth and Childhood

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

On Sunday, 29th of Elul 5549 in the city of Liozna, Rabbi Menachem Mendel was born to his father R' Shalom Shachna and Rebbetzin Devorah Leah Altschuler. His parents named him "Menachem Mendel" after Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk. In 5553 on 3rd of Tishrei, when he was three years old, his mother passed away and as per her final request, Menachem Mendel was adopted by his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe who cherished him greatly. Menachem Mendel would sleep in the Alter Rebbe's room, near the Aron Kodesh and was constantly at his side. Until his wedding, the Alter Rebbe would cover him with his tallis during Birchas Kohanim on Yom Tov, and until age nine would cover him during shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah. On 11th of Tishrei 5553, the Alter Rebbe brought him to begin learning in cheder.

When he was eight years old, the Alter Rebbe suggested to his son, the Mitteler Rebbe, to take him as a chosson for his daughter Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, but the Mitteler Rebbe hesitated and showed his father through the window how he was playing with all the children in childish ways. The Alter Rebbe approached the window and motioned with his finger for his grandson to enter the room. When Menachem Mendel entered, he gave him a Gemara and instructed him to memorize a daf with Rashi and Tosafos within half an hour, to return to the room and repeat everything he had learned. The Mitteler Rebbe, who waited in the room, noticed after about fifteen minutes that the child was again playing outside with his friends, turned to his father and said 'He doesn't even listen to your voice!' The Alter Rebbe called the child and rebuked him but Menachem Mendel claimed that he had already learned and began to repeat the daf by heart.

Already in 5561 (at age 11) he began writing chiddushim in nigleh and Chassidus, what he heard from his grandfather and additionally his own explanations. There is a maamar "D'H Eidus" (printed in Sefer Derech Emunah) written in 5562; after many years the Tzemach Tzedek added its conclusion, and that is how it was printed.

Until age 13 his main learning was in nigleh and after bar mitzvah age the Alter Rebbe established special times to learn with him Kabbalah and Chassidus.

Marriage

On 5th of Kislev 5564, when the Tzemach Tzedek was fourteen years old, he married in Liadi his cousin, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson, daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe.

In 5567, about three years after their marriage, the Alter Rebbe requested from Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka to bring him her husband's Chassidus writings. She complied with his request and among the writings she brought him was the maamar "Shoresh Mitzvos HaTefillah". When the Alter Rebbe saw his chiddushim, he called his brother Yehuda Leib and the chassid Reb Pinchas Reizes and asked them to answer "Amen" to the blessing of "Shehecheyanu". The matter became known to the chassidim who began to honor the Tzemach Tzedek.

When the Tzemach Tzedek learned that his Rebbetzin had transferred the manuscripts against his will, he told her he would divorce her. The Rebbetzin defended herself, saying she was obligated to honor her grandfather - the Alter Rebbe, which takes precedence even over honoring one's father. The Tzemach Tzedek responded that he needed to study the halacha, and since he had reservations about her actions, he couldn't live with her until he completed his study. For several days, the Rebbetzin cried continuously. After two months when the Tzemach Tzedek hadn't changed his mind, she told her father, the Mitteler Rebbe, who discussed the matter with his son-in-law. When he saw that his opinion was firm, he went to the Alter Rebbe and presented the situation.

On Shabbos Parshas Mikeitz, after the Alter Rebbe delivered a maamar (Chassidic discourse) in his room, he waited for everyone to leave and turned to the Tzemach Tzedek. He said he heard that he was studying a halachic matter, but since he was personally involved, it would be difficult for him to reach the truth objectively. He expressed his desire to study together, saying that two G-dly souls would be able to reveal the true halacha. After their joint study, the Tzemach Tzedek reversed his position and regretted considering divorcing his wife. The Alter Rebbe promised to learn with him twice a week nigleh (revealed aspects of Torah), and three times a week he would repeat maamarim he had previously delivered and explanations of Torah teachings he had received from his Rebbes. Afterward, the Alter Rebbe blessed the couple with the verse "You shall plant your plantings... on the day of your planting you will see growth, and in the morning your seed will blossom." He requested that no trace of anger toward the Rebbetzin remain and that he should make her happy, and sighed adding: "The harvest flees on a day of disease and mortal pain."

After his marriage, the Tzemach Tzedek was supported by his father-in-law, the Mitteler Rebbe, and served as Rosh Yeshiva under him, choosing not to make his living from Torah but rather from his own work. He invested the three hundred rubles he received as dowry in establishing a wax seal manufacturing business (used for sealing mail) as a source of income. He took the chassid Reb Nechemiah of Dubrovna as a partner. Throughout their work, they would discuss divrei Torah. After about a month, one night they became deeply engrossed in a particularly complex sugya (Talmudic topic) and the vat containing the raw adhesive material caught fire, and they barely managed to escape from the factory that went up in flames. Afterward, the Tzemach Tzedek decided to work in carpentry, but the Rebbe's court preferred that he not engage in manual labor and appointed him as a melamed (teacher).

Accepting the Nesius (Leadership)

After the histalkus (passing) of the Mitteler Rebbe on 9 Kislev 5588 (1827), an assembly of elder Chabad chassidim convened and decided to appoint the Mitteler Rebbe's son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, to assume his father-in-law's position in leading Chabad Chassidus. This decision was based on the Mitteler Rebbe's own words when he had expressed his desire to make aliyah to Eretz Yisroel. The chassidim had asked him, "How can our Rebbe leave us like sheep without a shepherd?" To which the Mitteler Rebbe replied, "Don't you have my son-in-law, the Rov HaGaon Rabbi Menachem Mendel? He will be your faithful shepherd."

The decision from this assembly was publicized throughout all Chabad chassidic centers in Russia. A delegation of distinguished elder chassidim, including Reb Hillel Paritcher, Reb Yitzchak Aizik of Vitebsk, Reb Yitzchak Moshe of Yass, Reb Peretz Chen of Chernigov, and others, presented themselves to the Tzemach Tzedek with the assembly's decision. However, the Tzemach Tzedek refused to accept the crown of nesius. Additional delegations of chassidim came and went, but Rabbi Menachem Mendel refused them all, claiming that the nesius rightfully belonged to his uncle Reb Chaim Avraham Schneuri, the Alter Rebbe's son and the Mitteler Rebbe's brother.

In the month of Nissan, the chassidim decided that before Shavuos, all the elder chassidim would come to Lubavitch to devise a plan. About two weeks before Shavuos, several elder chassidim arrived in Lubavitch, including Reb Yitzchak Aizik of Homel, Reb Hillel Paritcher, and Reb Yitzchak Aizik of Vitebsk. They held another assembly and sent delegations to the Tzemach Tzedek, but these too were unsuccessful. He continued to demur, suggesting instead that they should choose either Reb Chaim Avraham (the Alter Rebbe's son), or Reb Menachem Nachum (the Mitteler Rebbe's son), or Reb Aharon of Kremenchug (one of the Alter Rebbe's grandsons).

On Tuesday, 3 Sivan 5588, three of the greatest chassidim - Reb Peretz Chen, Reb Hillel Paritcher, and Reb Yitzchak Aizik of Homel - came to the Tzemach Tzedek's room and pleaded with him to accept the nesius. Finally, he agreed, but with the condition that they not trouble him with requests for advice in material matters. Reb Hillel Paritcher responded saying, "Chassidim want to hear Chassidus." Shortly after, word spread that the Tzemach Tzedek would come to the shul to say Chassidus.

Indeed, the Tzemach Tzedek entered the beis medrash, which was filled with chassidim, wearing the white garments he had inherited from his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe, and began delivering a maamar (Chassidic discourse) beginning with "Al shlosha devarim ha'olam omed" (The world stands on three things).

As he began saying the maamar, Reb Yitzchak Aizik of Homel recalled that in his youth, he had once heard the Alter Rebbe delivering this same maamar, while the young grandson - now the Tzemach Tzedek - had been playing in the room, disturbing the chassidim's ability to hear. Reb Yitzchak Aizik had been concerned about the disruption when suddenly the Alter Rebbe stopped saying the maamar and said, "Let him be, let him be, he wants to hear. He is listening, you will yet see that he is listening!"

Now remembering this scene, a thought crossed his mind: "Indeed this is a supernal power, and the Tzemach Tzedek is revealing his hidden kochos (powers) which Hashem has granted him." While he was still thinking this, the Tzemach Tzedek suddenly stopped delivering the maamar, turned to Reb Yitzchak Aizik and said, "Would you suspect me of something I don't possess? What can I do - my grandfather, the Alter Rebbe, commanded me to say this particular maamar." He then immediately continued delivering the maamar. Thus, his ruach hakodesh (divine inspiration) was revealed publicly. At the conclusion of the maamar, all the chassidim burst into song and accompanied him home with dancing and great simcha.

His Torah

The Tzemach Tzedek was known for the many halachic responsa he would give to all who approached him. These she'eilos u'teshuvos were published in the seforim Shu"t Tzemach Tzedek.

The maamarei Chassidus and additional Igros Kodesh were published over the years in many editions. The main work arranged according to the parshiyos is Ohr HaTorah. Other key works include Derech Mitzvosecha which explores the meaning of the mitzvos according to Chassidus.

Chazzara

The Tzemach Tzedek would deliver maamarei Chassidus on Shabbos, Yomim Tovim, and other special occasions. After the team of chozrim (those who would memorize and transcribe the maamarim) had thoroughly reviewed the maamar, the manichim would enter the Rebbe's room and repeat the maamar before him. He would correct their mistakes and explain what needed clarification.

The Chozrim included:

• Rav Nachum of Strashelye
• Rav Menachem Nachum Yitzchak Aizik Chanin
• Rav DovBer Ashkenazi (Kalisker)
• Rav Isser Ber Gilerson

His Activities

The Tzemach Tzedek established a large yeshiva in Lubavitch, and in the early years of his nesius, he regularly gave shiurim to the special yungeleit in the yeshiva. His son, Rav Yisroel Noach, was the rosh magidei shiurim, and his son-in-law, Rav Levi Yitzchak Zalmanoff, was among the yeshiva's examiners.

During the period of "Gezeiras HaCantonistim" (when Jewish children were kidnapped to serve in the army for twenty-five years), the Tzemach Tzedek would secretly send messages to all communities where the kidnappers were present, ensuring they would be placed in cherem (excommunication). He would strengthen the Cantonist children to maintain their Torah and mitzvos, and worked to redeem the kidnapped children. These activities were literally life-threatening, as they were considered rebellion against the monarchy.

In 5597 (1837), he published his sefer Torah Ohr. In 5598 (1838), at the request of Chabad chassidim, he visited Mohilev, Minsk, and Vilna, returning through the Vitebsk region. During this journey, he also met with gedolei hamisnagdim who began discussing halachic matters with him. This journey helped quiet the machlokes between chassidim and misnagdim.

In 5599 (1839), he purchased a large estate including farmland and forest, establishing there a settlement for Yidden who worked the land, also providing them with work implements. In 5603 (1843), the government appointed a committee of four representatives from the Jewish population to discuss laws pertaining to Yidden, particularly regarding chinuch, and the Tzemach Tzedek was chosen as one of them. During these gatherings, which lasted several months, he stood firm on preserving authentic Yiddishkeit and chinuch al taharas hakodesh. During these meetings, he was arrested twenty-two times due to his fierce protests. Ultimately, his demands were met.

In 5605 (1845), he published the sefer Likkutei Torah containing the Alter Rebbe's maamarim with his own explanations and notations.

The Tzemach Tzedek also founded the town of Shtzedrin in 5604 (1844), settling there about three hundred families, all Chabad chassidim. Because of this, he received recognition from the Russian government and was granted the title 'Honored Citizen for Generations.'

The Tzemach Tzedek was known as a mattir agunos (one who found halachic solutions for agunos), and many agunos were sent to Lubavitch so he could find ways to free them from their status.

His Famous Teaching

The Tzemach Tzedek coined the phrase "Tracht gut vet zain gut" - think good and it will be good - a saying that was frequently quoted by the Rebbe and became a fundamental principle in Chabad Chassidus.

His Histalkus

In the month of Kislev 5620 (1860), the Tzemach Tzedek became very ill and remained so for more than six years. On Erev Shabbos Parshas Vayigash 5621, after his wife Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka's histalkus, he said to his son, the Maharash, that the holy words of the Alter Rebbe had been fulfilled - 54 years had passed since he had sighed and said to him "nad katzir b'yom nachala" (the harvest flees on a day of sickness). After the Rebbetzin's passing, the Tzemach Tzedek stopped receiving people for yechidus.

Around Tishrei 5626 (1865), he began experiencing difficulties with speech. In the winter of 5626, he sent a shliach to Mezhibuzh to place a pidyon nefesh at the kever (gravesite) of the Baal Shem Tov, but the shliach didn't fulfill his shlichus. This resulted in the Tzemach Tzedek losing 13 years from his life, since the Alter Rebbe had blessed him with arichus yamim (long life), and arichus yamim by the Alter Rebbe's standard meant at least 90 years, while the Tzemach Tzedek lived 77 years.

At the beginning of Nissan 5626, he became very weak. When they called the doctor of Lubavitch, he said he couldn't see anything wrong. The next day, the situation worsened, and the chassidim were very frightened, saying Tehillim all day and adding the name "Meir" to his name. Towards evening of 12 Nissan 5626, they said the situation had improved, but shortly after they saw there was no hope. The shamash, Reb Chaim Ber, put his ear to the Tzemach Tzedek's mouth and heard him saying "L'maan yirbu yemeichem" (That your days may be multiplied).

At eleven o'clock at night, they saw nothing could be done. His bed stood in the middle of the room with everyone standing around holding lit candles. The Tzemach Tzedek lay motionless, looking at the people. On the night of Thursday, 13 Nissan at twelve-thirty at night, he was nistalek (passed away) and his menuchas kavod (honored resting place) is in the Ohel of the Tzemach Tzedek and Maharash in Lubavitch.

After his histalkus, the Maharash said: "Know that my father has not died, and whoever wants to request something can make a request. I too have made a request."

After his histalkus, Chabad Chassidus split, with three of his sons establishing different courts in the spirit of Chabad. His successor in Lubavitch was his youngest son, the Rebbe Maharash.

His Portrait

There was a non-Jewish artist who knew the Tzemach Tzedek and very much wanted to paint him, but the Tzemach Tzedek wouldn't agree. The artist cleverly came on Shabbos to the Tzemach Tzedek's house, studied him carefully to remember his likeness, ran home, and hurried to paint him. For this reason, the Tzemach Tzedek appears in the painting wearing his white Shabbos clothes, which he had inherited from the Alter Rebbe. Later, when the Tzemach Tzedek saw the picture, he was distressed that it was painted on Shabbos - but 'consoled' himself with the fact that the artist had made two mistakes: First, he painted the Tzemach Tzedek with the left side of his garment placed over the right, while Jewish custom is the opposite. Second, he painted the sefer that the Tzemach Tzedek was holding as a secular book, read from left to right. The Rebbe once noted an additional mistake - that in the painting, the Tzemach Tzedek places his glasses on the sefer's cover - something that would never be done as it shows disrespect for the sefer.

In 5647 (1887), the portrait was restored and the mistakes were corrected, and since then it has been circulated in its corrected version.

A copy of the painting was discovered in 5751 (1991) by the librarian Berel Levine among the descendants of the Maharil of Kopust in Moscow and was published publicly.

In 5781 (2021), R' Yechiel Ofner discovered in the estate of Mrs. Hinda Gurevitch, granddaughter of Rebbetzin Beila Wells (daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe and niece of two of the Tzemach Tzedek's sons), another copy of the original portrait, apparently the earliest known version.

His Family and Talmidim

The Tzemach Tzedek had many sons and two daughters:

His Sons

1. Rabbi Baruch Shalom
2. Rabbi Yehuda Leib of Kopust
3. Rabbi Chaim Shneur Zalman of Liadi
4. Rabbi Yisroel Noach of Niezhin
5. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Avrutch
6. Reb Yaakov Schneerson of Orsha
7. The Rebbe Maharash

His Daughters:

1. Rebbetzin Rada Freida Schneerson, wife of Rav Schneor Schneerson
2. Rebbetzin Devorah Leah Zalmanson, wife of Rav Levi Yitzchak Zalmanson

Distinguished Chassidim

Among the distinguished chassidim of the Tzemach Tzedek were:

• Rabbi Hillel Paritcher
• Rabbi Shneur Zalman Fradkin of Lublin, author of "Toras Chesed"
• Rabbi Avraham Dovid Lavut, author of "Shaar HaKollel"
• Rabbi Peretz Chen

His Works

1. Tzemach Tzedek - Halachic responsa, rulings, and Talmudic novellae. The sefer's name hints at the author's name (in Yiddish spelling) - "Menachem Mendel" in gematria equals "Tzemach Tzedek"
2. Derech Mitzvosecha - Explanations of mitzvos according to Chassidus
3. Biurei HaZohar - Commentary on passages from the Zohar
4. Sefer HaChakirah - Derech Emunah - A philosophical-research work in the style of the Rambam's "Moreh Nevuchim"
5. Ohr HaTorah - 42 volumes of Chassidic explanations on Torah, holidays, and Tanach
6. Sefer HaLikkutim - A series of dozens of volumes collecting his Torah teachings alphabetically
7. Igros Kodesh - 90 of his letters, annotated edition with introduction
8. Yahel Ohr - On Tehillim

His Niggunim

1. Niggun "Yemin Hashem Romeima"
2. Niggun "Ashrei Ish"
3. Niggun Deveikus attributed to the Tzemach Tzedek
4. Niggun Deveikus
5. Niggun "Hodi'eini Hashem Kitzi"
6. Niggun "K'Ayal Ta'arog"
7. Niggun "Keli Atah"

Further Reading

• Rabbi Shalom DovBer Levin, "History of Chabad in Czarist Russia", Kehot Publication Society, New York, 2010
• Avraham Chanoch Glitzenstein, "Sefer HaToldot - Admur HaTzemach Tzedek", Kehot Publication Society
• Chaim Meir Heilman, "Beit Rebbi"
• Rabbi Menachem Zigelboim, "Istalek Yekara - The Passing of the Admur Tzemach Tzedek", page 121, 2013
• Rabbi Shneur Zalman Berger, "History of Chabad in Petersburg", Chapter 5 - The Rabbinical Conference of 1843 with the participation of the Admur Tzemach Tzedek
• "The Rabbinical Conference of 1843, with the participation of the Admur Tzemach Tzedek", Ohalei Lubavitch Volume 3, page 21
• "The Rebbe Following the Tzemach Tzedek", in the 'Nitzutzei Rebbe' section of Hiskashrus Weekly, Parshat Shemini 2021
• "As the Tzemach Tzedek Rules, So They Rule in Heaven", Kfar Chabad Issue 1954, pages 64-74

External Links

• The writings of the Admor the Tzemach Tzedek were redeemed by Rabbi Moshe Hornstein and returned to the Rebbe's library
• L'Chaim V'livracha (For Life and Blessing), a collection of stories about the Admor the Tzemach Tzedek within the Pnimiyut publication on the eve of 11 Nissan 5780 (the link is not active, 28 Iyar 5783)
• Rabbi for Children: The Rabbi and the Shoemaker • Story Time, Rabbi for Children
• Informers and Spies in the House of the Tzemach Tzedek, on the Lubavitch town website
• Doresh Tov L'Amo (Seeking Good for His People), the Admor the Tzemach Tzedek's fight against the Haskalah movement, 'HaMevaser' Torah publication, Parshat Metzora 5782
• Rare Discovery: Ancient painting attributed to the 'Tzemach Tzedek' in color revealed, on the website 'Lachluchiut Geulati' (Redemptive Moisture)