Editing The Rebbe (section)

==== Birth and Early Years ====
{{Chabad}}
The Rebbe was born on Friday, 11 Nissan 5662 (April 18, 1902) in the Russian-Ukrainian town of Nikolayev, to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson. His maternal grandfather was Rabbi Meir Shlomo Yanovsky, the Rabbi of Nikolayev.

The Bris Milah was held on 18 Nissan, Chol HaMoed Pesach, and the festive meal took place in the home of his grandfather, Rabbi Meir Shlomo Yanovsky, with many Jews from Nikolayev participating. During the celebration, his grandfathers and father delivered Torah discourses, with his father connecting the Bris celebration to his own birthday which fell on that day. The Rebbe was named "Menachem Mendel" after his great-grandfather, the [[The tzemach tzedek|Tzemach Tzedek.]]

After his father, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, was appointed Chief Rabbi of Dnepropetrovsk (formerly Yekaterinoslav) in 1909, the family moved there.
[[File:הרבי בילדותו.jpg|thumb]]
From a very young age, the Rebbe became known for his diligence and extraordinary memory. His time was mostly dedicated to a comprehensive study of all parts of the Torah—both revealed and hidden. His main guide in learning was his father. The Rebbe described his childhood years as the time when his worldview took shape, which he later applied throughout his life, especially as a Rebbe. In a rare letter to Mr. Yitzchak Ben Zvi, he described his thoughts as a child:<blockquote>“From the time I started going to 'cheder' and even before that, the image of the future redemption began to form in my imagination—the redemption of the Jewish people from their final exile

— a redemption that will explain the suffering of the exile, the decrees, and the destructions.”</blockquote>— Letter from 1956 to Mr. Yitzchak Ben Zvi

At the age of 18, in 1920, he was appointed to serve as a rabbi in one of the synagogues in the city.

In 1923, the Rebbe met the [[Rebbe Rayatz]] (Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn) for the first time. Shortly thereafter, he joined him in his public activities, fulfilling special roles in various fields and standing by the Rebbe Rayatz in his famous battle to preserve the sacred practices of Judaism and mitzvot in Soviet Russia. At that time, the Rebbe Rayatz referred to him as his "Minister of Education." In Sivan 1927, the Rebbe Rayatz was arrested, and the Rebbe played a central role in efforts to save him. After his release, the Rebbe Rayatz stayed in Malchovka, and only a few followers were permitted to visit him, including the Rebbe, who was invited to see him and spent long hours conversing with him daily.

In Tishrei 1928, he visited his parents in Dnipro. After Sukkot, his mother accompanied him to Leningrad. From there, he left Russia with the Rebbe Rayatz, who was set to become his father-in-law, and with his entire family. The Rebbe settled in Riga with the Rebbe Rayatz’s family. However, due to financial difficulties, their planned wedding was delayed, and it was decided he would move to another city. In Tevet of that year, he moved to Berlin, Germany.
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