Editing The Tzemach Tzedek (section)

== 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.