Editing Yehoshua Fishel Schneersohn (section)

== His Connection with Chabad ==

==== His Lineage to Chabad Rebbes ====
Born on 4 Tammuz 5648 (1888) to his father Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Starodub, who was the rabbi of the Chassidic towns of Repka, Homel, and Starodub, and a friend of the Rebbe Rashab. His grandfather was the Rebbe Shalom Ber of Rechitsa, son of Rabbi Maharil of Kopust, who was the son of the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek.

==== With Chabad Rebbes ====
He maintained a connection with the Rebbe Rayatz and met with him several times. Among Chassidim, it is accepted that when the Rebbe Rayatz's doctors recommended that he share what was in his heart with a friend, he chose Fishel<ref>See: Chaim Gravitzer, Yediot Aharonot Publishing, in the appendix, p. 571. There appears a passage from a 1935 letter by Fishel Schneersohn to the scholar of Kabbalah, Gershom Scholem, in which he writes:

"Yesterday I saw the Lubavitcher Rebbe, shlita. If you have any need for a manuscript or similar matters – I am always ready to be of service to you."

(The letter is currently held in the Education Archive of Tel Aviv University.)

From this letter, it seems that Fishel Schneersohn may have had access to the library of the Rebbe Rayatz, and was permitted to examine the manuscripts it contained.</ref>. In the Igrot Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, there are several letters to Fishel Schneerson (and about him). In one letter, the Rebbe Rayatz invites him to visit in Marienbad (where he was planning to go for rest), "where we will have more free time, and take pleasure in speaking more together.<ref>Igrot Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, Vol. 11, p. 405</ref>" In a letter from 5700 (1940), the Rebbe Rayatz refers to Fishel Schneerson as: "My honorable friend, the scholar known for praise and glory, possessing outstanding qualities, of noble lineage, Rabbi Fishel, known as Professor Schneersohn.<ref>Igrot Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, Vol. 13, p. 271 </ref>" In another letter, the Rebbe Rayatz wishes Fishel Schneerson mazel tov on his engagement.

Later, when he lived in Tel Aviv, he sat in a Chassidic farbrengen without saying a word. The Chassidim who knew that he treasured within himself countless conversations with the previous Rebbe tried to encourage him to speak, but without success. Only after much mashke and various pleadings did he agree to share what the Rebbe had told him: "Before reciting the bedtime Shema, I think about each and every one of the Chassidim, and what they need physically and spiritually." This story became one of the cornerstones in the connection between a Chassid and his Rebbe.

According to Mrs. Tova Shechter, Fishel Schneerson's daughter, her father felt a close connection and great appreciation for the Rebbe Rayatz. She remembers how after the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz, she saw for the only time in her life her father crying bitterly and even sitting shiva for the Rebbe Rayatz and observing mourning customs, an expression of his special closeness to the Rebbe Rayatz and the world of Chabad Chassidus.

In a letter to Rabbi Avraham Pariz, the Rebbe instructs him to send his son (Shalom Ber), who was suffering from severe emotional distress, for treatment with Fishel Schneersohn who "understands the spirit of the Chabad young man," alongside the concern that mental health therapists would not understand the mindset of the yeshiva student.

==== In the Literary Field ====
He authored books on various topics. Among them are books on Chassidic history (like "The Power of Advocacy"), Chassidic stories ("Chassidic Revelation Stories"), many books on child psychology, psychology following the Holocaust, and more. He was engaged in writing articles and booklets about Chassidic life, naturally remembering and preserving many Chassidic stories that had not reached the ears of Chassidim and were known only to the Rebbe's household. His writings showed an affection for Chabad Chassidus despite having left it.

One of his well-known works is the prose "Chaim Grabitzer" in which he describes the mental processes of a Chassid in the depths of Chabad Chassidus, his difficulties and crises. In total, there are dozens of titles written by Professor Schneerson today.

'''From his books:'''

* Chassidic Revelation Stories
* Chaim Grabitzer
* The Power of Advocacy
* The Doctor and the Philosopher