Editing Yosef Yitzchak of Avrutch (section)

== His Leadership as Rebbe ==
After his wedding, the Tzemach Tzedek wanted him to come settle in Lubavitch, but his father-in-law opposed this and wanted him to be appointed as Admor in Avrutch in order to prevent the descendants of Rabbi Aharon of Chernobyl, his father-in-law's brother, from taking the rabbinical position and leadership in the city, despite this being difficult for him. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak eventually accepted his father-in-law's proposal and at the age of thirty-six, in 5619, he began to act as Rebbe in the town of Avrutch, but his father the Tzemach Tzedek was not pleased with this. According to another opinion, the reason he moved to Avrutch was to help his father-in-law and ease his financial burden. Another reason was also to save his sons from the decree imposed on the Tzemach Tzedek, who was forced to hand over two of his grandsons to the Haskalah movement's school in Lubavitch.

His leadership style followed the way of the Chernobyler Rebbes and not the Chabad approach. He would say only short "toiros" (Torah teachings) while sharing deep maamarim (discourses) with select individuals, but occasionally he would visit Lubavitch, where he would deliver long maamarim to those who eagerly awaited him.

He was known as a miracle worker. And so it is written about him in the book "Beis Rebbi": "And Yosef was the ruler, even during the lifetime of his father our Rebbe. And he established his residence in the city of Avrutch, and there people would travel to him to receive from his mouth and seek from him spiritual and material advice. In Volhynia they told great stories about him and considered him a miracle worker... he would come at times to Lubavitch to drink from the well of living waters, and he would draw and give to anash (Chassidim) who were connected and attached to him..."

After his passing, his son, Admor Rabbi Nachum Dov Ber Schneersohn, took his place. He passed away on the 8th of Tevet 5656. After his passing, his Chassidim scattered among the various Chernobyl Chassidic courts.