Editing Shneur Zalman Gurary (section)

== Early Years ==
Rabbi Schneur Zalman Gurary was born to Rabbi Nosson Gurary and Rebbetzin Esther Gurary in Kremenchug, on the first night of Chanukah, 5672. On Erev Yom Kippur, 5677, at the age of 5, he merited to see and receive a blessing from the Rebbe Rashab in the town of Slavyansk, where the Rebbe Rashab was staying at the time. During the winter of 5680, his family fled Kremenchug to Rostov, escaping the approaching Bolsheviks.

In 5681, Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s father passed away, and the Rebbe Rayatz personally took responsibility for his education, At one memorable Simchas Torah farbrengen, the Rebbe demonstrated particular closeness by seating young Zalman on his knees and personally feeding him tzimmes, saying "Es un brech, vestu bleibn a chossid" [eat and vomit, and you'll remain a chossid].. His teacher was Rabbi Moshe Rosenblum, a chossid and secretary of the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz.

On one occasion, the Rebbe Rayatz instructed Rabbi Yaakov Landau to test young Schneur Zalman. Rabbi Landau tested him in the dining room adjacent to the Rebbe’s study. Unknown to Rabbi Schneur Zalman, the Rebbe was listening to the test from his room. Afterward, the Rebbe dismissed the teacher, as he focused only on teaching knowledge without depth, and appointed Rabbi Yechiel Kamisar as his new teacher.

During these years, Rabbi Schneur Zalman received special attention from the Rebbe Rayatz and was one of the select few to participate in the weddings of the Rebbe Rayatz’s three daughters.

When the Rebbe Rayatz moved from Rostov to Leningrad in 5684, Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s family also relocated. Without a private tutor in Leningrad, the Rebbe sent him to Nevel to study under the guidance of Rabbi Meir Simcha Chein. The Rebbe instructed Rabbi Chein to arrange a suitable teacher for Rabbi Schneur Zalman. After initial difficulties, the Rebbe's secretary, Rabbi Yechezkel Feigin, intervened, ensuring his acceptance into Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in Nevel.