Editing Shneur Zalman Gurary (section)

== Activities for Moshiach ==
R' Zalman was among the leading figures involved in spreading the message of redemption and the redeemer.

In 1977, when those who stirred up controversy against Chabad Chassidus tried to use the Chassidim's belief that the Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach to fuel the flames of dispute, a group of activists who attempted to quiet the controversy considered taking steps to calm the matter. Among the rabbanim was R' Zalman, who called Rabbi Chodakov to discuss the issue. Rabbi Chodakov, by his nature, agreed with R' Zalman's words and had reservations about publicizing the belief that the Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach.

While they were speaking, R' Zalman heard a cough on the phone line. This was a sign that the Rebbe had joined the line. There was silence on the line for two minutes, and then Rabbi Chodakov returned to speaking with R' Zalman, but suddenly his opinion changed completely: "R' Zalman," he said, "what does it bother you that Chassidim say the Rebbe is Moshiach? This is how it has always been, as brought in the Gemara, that students would say about their teachers that they are worthy to be Moshiach."

R' Zalman immediately understood that the sudden change in Rabbi Chodakov's opinion came from words he heard from the Rebbe, and he too changed his opinion completely. With Chassidic enthusiasm, R' Zalman called one of the secretaries and asked him to buy a bottle of mashke and to farbreng about the great revelation they merited that day, when the Rebbe revealed his opinion that Chassidim should publicize that the Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach.

From then on, R' Zalman stood at the forefront of spreading the message of redemption and the redeemer, and was among the main speakers at gatherings to strengthen faith.

In the 1990s, following the great awakening in the Rebbe's sichos about the geulah, he would speak with Chassidic warmth about the "new era" we are in the midst of, the era of Moshiach's revelation, and about the meaning of calling "Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu v'Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach L'olam Va'ed" in the Rebbe's presence, and encouraged utilizing this great opportunity properly to publicize the message of redemption to the broader public.

After the sicha of 28 Nissan 1991, the crowd burst out crying "ad mosai" but the Rebbe told him it did not affect or touch him.

R' Zalman supported publishing advertisements in newspapers announcing the Rebbe's identity as Melech HaMoshiach and calling on the public to increase in good deeds to receive him. When opponents emerged on the matter, R' Zalman asked the Rebbe's secretary Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner to ask the Rebbe about it again, and to write to him exactly the Rebbe's answer. Thus, the Rebbe's holy opinion supporting the publication of advertisements in newspapers in the clearest way was publicized.

About two months later, in Adar 1993, when he wrote to the Rebbe that they wanted to remove him from the executive committee of Agudas Chassidei Chabad in the United States because he openly proclaimed that the Rebbe is Melech HaMoshiach and asked the Rebbe if he should fight this with mesirus nefesh, the Rebbe nodded his head in affirmation.

After 3 Tammuz 1994, he greatly encouraged the Chassidim, and placed special emphasis on belief in the fulfillment of the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach's prophecy, and that "not one of his words would return empty."