Editing The Alter Rebbe (section)

== Nasi of Chassidus Chabad ==
'''Expanded Entry''' – ''[[Gatherings of the Maggid’s Disciples]]''

On the 18th of Kislev 5533 (1772), the Maggid of Mezritch requested that the Alter Rebbe do all he could to ensure that his son, Reb Avraham the Malach, would succeed him. If Reb Avraham declined, the Maggid instructed that Reb Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk should assume the position. The following day, on the 19th of Kislev, the Maggid passed away, and his prominent disciples dispersed to various countries to spread the teachings of Chassidus. Reb Avraham the Malach resided in the region of Volhynia, while Reb Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk resided in Russia. The Alter Rebbe and the Maggid’s other disciples immediately submitted a written bond of allegiance to Reb Avraham the Malach.

At that time, opposition to the Chassidic movement was at its peak. Overcoming this resistance required a steadfast leader who could face the challenges. Therefore, Reb Avraham the Malach convened a gathering and decided to appoint an administrative council with a chairman empowered to direct all Chassidic centers as needed for the dissemination of Chassidus. The Alter Rebbe was chosen as chairman. He held this position for three years, during which he traveled extensively to strengthen the Maggid’s disciples in their respective locations.

In the year 5536 (1776), the Alter Rebbe established "Chadorim" (study groups) in Liozna, attracting young scholars from the entire region who devoted themselves to Torah study under the guidance and structure laid out by the Alter Rebbe. It was during this period that the Alter Rebbe's leadership began to take on the unique character of Chabad, which became increasingly defined over time. Before long, news spread that a new branch of Chassidus had emerged—Chabad Chassidus.

==== The Move to [[Liozna]] ====
During this period, the Alter Rebbe received offers to serve as the Rabbi of Vitebsk and Liozna. He chose Liozna after its residents agreed to his condition that they provide for the financial needs of himself, his three brothers and their families, the young scholars and students of the "Chadorim," as well as visiting Chassidim from Russia and Lithuania. In Elul 5536 (1776), the Alter Rebbe set out for Liozna, arriving there in Shevat 5538 (1778).

By this time, the Alter Rebbe was already leading thousands of Chassidim but was not yet officially recognized as a "Rebbe." The desire of his Chassidim for a ''Rebbe'' who could be physically present with them grew stronger. They expressed their longing to Reb Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, who, in a letter, granted them permission to seek guidance and strength from "the Tzaddikim and Chassidim, the Rabbis and upright ones… whose words are like fiery coals of divine counsel and wisdom," referring to luminaries such as Reb Yisroel of Polotsk, Reb Yissachar Ber of Liadi, and "the honored Rabbi Schneur Zalman (the Alter Rebbe)… may their names be eternal."

This arrangement continued for a time, with Reb Mendel serving as the uncontested leader, while these three Tzaddikim acted as his deputies in guiding the Chassidim in spiritual matters. Over time, however, Reb Mendel observed that some of the Chassidim had begun seeking Torah guidance from other Tzaddikim across Eastern Europe. Faced with this growing phenomenon, he decided to appoint the Alter Rebbe as the leader of the Chassidim in Russia.

==== The Journey to the Vilna Gaon ====
After the passing of the Maggid of Mezritch, the opposition to Chassidus intensified. In 5534 (1774), Reb Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk and the Alter Rebbe traveled to Vilna to meet with the Vilna Gaon in an attempt to prove that the Chassidim had not deviated from the Torah’s path and to put an end to the opposition. However, the Gaon refused to meet them and left Vilna, only returning after the Alter Rebbe and Reb Menachem Mendel had departed.

The Alter Rebbe later wrote:<blockquote>''"From the very outset, we informed [the Vilna Gaon] and went to his house to debate with him and to remove his complaints against us. I was there with the holy Rav Menachem Mendel of Horodok, zt"l. Twice, he shut the door in our faces… When we persisted in urging him, he left the city and remained away until our departure…"''</blockquote>Recognizing that they could not pacify the opposition, Reb Menachem Mendel decided to journey to Eretz Yisrael, accompanied by several of the Maggid’s disciples.

==== Disputes with the Opponents of Chassidic Teachings -  Extended Article - The Great Debate in Minsk (5543/1783) ====
During the five years in which the Alter Rebbe served as the general organizer of the Chassidic movement, from the time of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk's ascent to the Holy Land until the year 5543 (1783), he conducted several debates against the leading Misnagdim (opponents of Chassidism). For this purpose, he traveled specifically to the strongholds of those who opposed Chassidic teachings and demonstrated to them the prowess of Chassidim in the study of the revealed Torah, as well as the righteousness of their path and approach.

The most well-known among these debates are the "Shklov Debate" and "The Great Debate in Minsk" which took place in 5543 (1783). Following these debates, hundreds of young married scholars drew closer to Chassidic teachings, and the genuine opposition from the Torah giants among the Misnagdim diminished, as they came to recognize that the leader of the Chassidic movement was an immense genius and scholar, and that all his ways were founded on faith in Hashem without any deviation from the paths of traditional Judaism. What remained was only the partisan opposition from the extremists among the Misnagdim, who were unwilling to accept that the Alter Rebbe had defeated them decisively in these debates.

==== Reb Menachem Mendel Departs for Eretz Yisrael ====
In the year 5537 (1777), [[Reb Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk]] and approximately three hundred Chassidic families embarked on the journey to Eretz Yisrael. Before leaving, Reb Menachem Mendel appointed the Alter Rebbe as the leader of the Chassidim in Russia and Lithuania. He gave him the responsibility of spreading the teachings of Chassidus and guiding the Chassidim in their service of Hashem.

Following his arrival in Eretz Yisrael, Reb Menachem Mendel remained in close contact with the Alter Rebbe and his Chassidim. He encouraged them to rely on the Alter Rebbe for all spiritual guidance and leadership, referring to him as “the great and awesome one, the light of Israel.”

It was around this time that the Alter Rebbe formally established the Chabad Chassidic path, focusing on the principles of ''Chochmah'' (wisdom), ''Binah'' (understanding), and ''Daas'' (knowledge) as the foundation for serving Hashem.