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Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (also known as R' Levik; 18 Nissan 5638 (1878) - 20 Menachem Av 5704 (1944)) was the father of the Rebbe, Chief Rabbi of Dnepropetrovsk, a kabbalist and one of the prominent rabbis and spiritual leaders in the Soviet Union. He was arrested and exiled for his activities in spreading Judaism and passed away in exile. | {{Beis HaRav}} | ||
'''Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson''' (also known as R' Levik; 18 Nissan 5638 (1878) - 20 Menachem Av 5704 (1944)) was the father of [[the Rebbe]], Chief Rabbi of Dnepropetrovsk, a kabbalist and one of the prominent rabbis and spiritual leaders in the Soviet Union. He was arrested and exiled for his activities in spreading Judaism and passed away in exile. | |||
== Early Years == | == Early Years == | ||
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In his youth, he studied Torah with his great-uncle Rabbi Yoel Chaikin, Rabbi of Podovronka. At a young age, his greatness and brilliance were already evident. In his youth, he received rabbinic ordination from leading Torah scholars of his time, including Rabbi Chaim of Brisk and Rabbi Eliyahu Chaim Meisel of Lodz. He later also received a rabbinical appointment from the city of Jaffa for the position of Chief Rabbi. | In his youth, he studied Torah with his great-uncle Rabbi Yoel Chaikin, Rabbi of Podovronka. At a young age, his greatness and brilliance were already evident. In his youth, he received rabbinic ordination from leading Torah scholars of his time, including Rabbi Chaim of Brisk and Rabbi Eliyahu Chaim Meisel of Lodz. He later also received a rabbinical appointment from the city of Jaffa for the position of Chief Rabbi. | ||
Some say he studied at the Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva in Lubavitch for a short time in the early years while others dispute this claim. However, the | Some say he studied at the [[Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim|Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva in Lubavitch]] for a short time in the early years while others dispute this claim. However, the Rebbes did not mention this. | ||
== Marriage == | == Marriage == | ||
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== Attempted Immigration to Israel == | == Attempted Immigration to Israel == | ||
Reb Levik tried to immigrate to the [[Eretz Yisroel|Holy Land]] shortly after his brother Rabbi Shalom Shlomo Schneerson immigrated to Israel. Appropriate documents were submitted to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and through them visas were approved for the Rabbi and Rebbetzin. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel announced this in a letter they sent to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak in Yekaterinoslav:<blockquote>"1 Kislev 5686 | |||
"1 Kislev 5686 | |||
To the honor of the famous Rabbi, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, Rabbi and Av Beit Din of Yekaterinoslav | To the honor of the famous Rabbi, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, Rabbi and Av Beit Din of Yekaterinoslav | ||
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We hereby note to your honor's attention that the visa period has been shortened recently, and therefore they need to be processed quickly, within the first three months after the notification about them is issued. | We hereby note to your honor's attention that the visa period has been shortened recently, and therefore they need to be processed quickly, within the first three months after the notification about them is issued. | ||
We inquire after their welfare and good, and await seeing you face to face in the Holy Land, soon God willing." | We inquire after their welfare and good, and await seeing you face to face in the Holy Land, soon God willing."</blockquote>The immigration of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and his family ultimately did not materialize, for a reason unknown to us today. | ||
The immigration of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak and his family ultimately did not materialize, for a reason unknown to us today. | |||
== His Arrest == | == His Arrest == | ||
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Another aspect of this day is that it is forty days before Rosh Hashana, and serves as preparation for it - just as the first of Elul is forty days before Yom Kippur (which is also called Rosh Hashana in the book of Ezekiel), and in it begins the appropriate work. | Another aspect of this day is that it is forty days before Rosh Hashana, and serves as preparation for it - just as the first of Elul is forty days before Yom Kippur (which is also called Rosh Hashana in the book of Ezekiel), and in it begins the appropriate work. | ||
== The Ohel == | == The Ohel == | ||
In 1989, Rabbi David Nachshon and R' Avi Taub built an ohel around the tombstone. The preparations took time, and the two visited the gravesite several times, until they built the ohel in practice in Elul 1989. | In 1989, Rabbi David Nachshon and R' Avi Taub built an ohel around the tombstone. The preparations took time, and the two visited the gravesite several times, until they built the ohel in practice in Elul 1989. | ||
[[File:אוהל ר' לי יצחק.jpg|thumb|Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's Ohel]] | |||
A few days after building the ohel they came to Beit Chayeinu and before leaving handed the ohel key to the secretariat to transfer to the Rebbe, but when they intended to leave for the airport, they were called urgently from the secretariat and instructed to come to 770 because the Rebbe requested that they deliver the key. Rabbi David Nachshon and R' Avi Taub were brought into the 'yechidut' room, and delivered the key and report on building the ohel. The Rebbe held the key well, looked for a moment at the key holder, where Rabbi Nachshon wrote on a note that this is the key of the ohel in Alma-Ata, and the Rebbe asked: What is this? And Rabbi Nachshon said: This is the key of the ohel in Alma-Ata. The Rebbe looked upward and said emotionally: "This is the key of the ohel". And then blessed the two: | A few days after building the ohel they came to Beit Chayeinu and before leaving handed the ohel key to the secretariat to transfer to the Rebbe, but when they intended to leave for the airport, they were called urgently from the secretariat and instructed to come to 770 because the Rebbe requested that they deliver the key. Rabbi David Nachshon and R' Avi Taub were brought into the 'yechidut' room, and delivered the key and report on building the ohel. The Rebbe held the key well, looked for a moment at the key holder, where Rabbi Nachshon wrote on a note that this is the key of the ohel in Alma-Ata, and the Rebbe asked: What is this? And Rabbi Nachshon said: This is the key of the ohel in Alma-Ata. The Rebbe looked upward and said emotionally: "This is the key of the ohel". And then blessed the two: | ||
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In recent years the emissaries in the city renovated the gravesite and access to it and gave it a renewed appearance befitting this holy place. | In recent years the emissaries in the city renovated the gravesite and access to it and gave it a renewed appearance befitting this holy place. | ||
==== Commemorating His Memory ==== | |||
Over the years, various initiatives were established to commemorate him. Some were initiated by the Rebbe himself, while others received the Rebbe's special affection. Among these activities and initiatives are: | |||
* Network of Kollelim 'Tiferes Zekeinim Levi Yitzchak' | |||
* Levi Yitzchak Library - A Chassidic library in Crown Heights for reference and lending | |||
* Kehillas Levi Yitzchak Lubavitch, Hallandale Florida | |||
* The charity fund established by the Rebbe in his name that assists and supports kosher Jewish education - "Keren Levi Yitzchak" | |||
* Yarchei Kallah - Annual Torah gathering in memory of Reb Levi Yitzchak held every summer at Camp Gan Israel in the United States | |||
==== Memories of Reb Yosef Nimotin ==== | |||
Reb Yosef Nimotin, son of the chassid Reb Shmuel Nimotin, lived in Alma Ata, Kazakhstan during World War II and was involved in saving lives. He merited to serve and care for the mekubal Reb Levi Yitzchak Schneerson and Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, the Rebbe's parents. During the [[The Great Escape from Russia 1946|'Great Escape from Russia']] in 1946, he entrusted to R' Simcha Gorodetzky the shofar used by the Rebbe's father, which was inherited from the Tzemach Tzedek, to be delivered to the Rebbe. R' Nimotin remained in the Soviet Union until 1979 and maintained R' Levi Yitzchak's holy gravesite, ensuring its cleanliness and upkeep. After leaving Russia, he settled in [[Crown Heights]] and received special attention from the Rebbe due to his closeness and assistance to his father. | |||
His memories about Reb Levi Yitzchak and Rebbetzin Chana, the Rebbe's parents, were published in HaTamim issue 54, Beis Moshiach supplement Sukkos 2024. | |||
== Likkutei Levi Yitzchak == | |||
Likkutei Levi Yitzchak is a collection of Torah teachings by Reb Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the Rebbe's father, written with mesiras nefesh under substandard conditions during his exile in Chi'ili, Kazakhstan. | |||
After R' Levi Yitzchak's passing, his wife Rebbetzin Chana succeeded in leaving the Soviet Union. Before this, she entrusted the precious manuscripts to faithful people in Moscow. | |||
Over the years, several chassidim undertook the task of bringing R' Levi Yitzchak's manuscripts, and in cooperation with Torah-observant Jews traveling to the Soviet Union, a heroic and dangerous operation was carried out to rescue the writings. Under the nose of KGB detectives, the manuscript bundle was transferred from the trusted Jew who was appointed to guard them to the Israeli embassy, which quickly sent the writings via diplomatic mail to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. After several days, the writings reached the Rebbe. | |||
In Beis Moshiach issue 1423, dedicated to the 80th yahrzeit, the Rebbe's letters to the activist R' Pinchas Althaus regarding bringing out the Zohar books from the Soviet Union were published for the first time. | |||
A select team of chassidim sat down to edit the manuscripts into books, with the Rebbe personally supervising the editing and arrangement of the books. | |||
== His Photograph == | |||
The first photograph from exile in Chi'ili was printed in 1970 when his first two books were published - "Likkutei Levi Yitzchak" on the Zohar and Tanya. It was smuggled from Russia in passport photo size. When this photo was brought before the Rebbe, he wrote on the back of the chrome page "אאז"ל?" [My father, of blessed memory?]. Many claim this writing expressed the difficulty in identifying Reb Levi Yitzchak after the many sufferings he endured in Chi'ili. However, some claim that simply the Rebbe was noting who was photographed (his father's name - the person in the photo), and the 'question mark' was about the year the photo was taken. | |||
[[File:רבי לוי יצחק.jpg|thumb]] | |||
The second photograph was obtained when a delegation was sent to Russia in 1991 by the Rebbe, among other things to redeem the Rebbes' seforim, including R' Levi Yitzchak's books. The delegation members succeeded in obtaining R' Levi Yitzchak's investigation file, which contained two photos of him from two angles taken in 1939, as was customary in those days to photograph every prisoner upon admission to prison. The photos were taken only after the investigators managed to forcefully remove R' Levi Yitzchak's yarmulke, and copies were sent to the Rebbe on the last night of Pesach and later officially transferred to the Rebbe in Elul of that year along with the investigation file in the Rebbe's room by R' Yosef Yitzchak Aronov and R' Shlomo Cunin. The Rebbe remarked that in this photo too "he looks unwell." | |||
== His Holy Customs == | |||
In 2012, with the publication of Rebbetzin Chana's writings, published by Vaad Hanachos B'Lahak, many customs of Reb Levi Yitzchak were revealed. Additionally, some of his holy customs were collected and published in Kovetz Haoros HaTemimim V'Anash Lod issue 90 that appeared for Yud Alef Nissan 2011. | |||
== His Seforim == | |||
* Likkutei Levi Yitzchak, Kehot, 1970 onwards; New corrected edition - 2022 | |||
* Toras Levi Yitzchak - Insights on Shas, Mishna and Gemara, Kehot, 1971; New corrected edition - 2022 | |||
* Pninei Levi Yitzchak - Arranged pearls from his teachings, edited by R' Alter Eliyahu Friedman | |||
* Toras Menachem Tiferes Levi Yitzchak - The Rebbe's explanations on his teachings, Kehot, 1990; New edition 2020 - 5 volumes | |||
* Yalkut Levi Yitzchak - On Torah, edited by R' David Dubov, as of 2021 4 volumes published | |||
* Tipa Min HaYam - Arranged and adapted ideas from Reb Levi Yitzchak's teachings, edited by R' Eliyahu Wolf | |||
* Likkutei Levi Yitzchak Reshimas Reb Levi Yitzchak with collection of explanations and possible notes - 2019 | |||
[[File:לקוטי לוי יצחק.jpg|thumb]] | |||
== His Family == | |||
Wife: [[Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson|Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson,]] | |||
Sons: [[The Rebbe]], [[Reb DovBer (Berel) Schneerson|R' DovBer Schneerson]] and R' Yisroel Aryeh Leib Schneerson | |||
Granddaughter: Mrs. Dalya Rotman | |||
== Further Reading == | |||
* Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Gottlieb, '''Toldos Levi Yitzchak''', three volumes published by Kehos, released in several editions, with the latest renewed edition including additions by Rabbi Eli Wolf. | |||
* Avraham Shmuel Bukiet, '''Pe'er Levi Yitzchak''', published by Igud HaShluchim L'Eretz HaKodesh. | |||
* Menachem Zigelboim (editor), '''HaRebbe Mokir Todah''', articles and writings about Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, mesiras nefesh, exile, ohel, miracles at the ohel and current shlichus in Kazakhstan. Writers include: Rabbi Yeshaya Cohen - Head Shliach of Kazakhstan, Menachem Zigelboim, Shraga Krombi, singer Benny Friedman and others. Av 2023. | |||
* '''United States Honors the Rav, It's an Honor for Us''', about the recognition of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's tziyun as a national heritage site, Kfar Chabad Weekly Issue 1871 page 73 | |||
* '''Adoni Avi Mori V'Rabbi''', collection of pictures of the Rebbe from farbrengens he conducted in honor of his father, in the "V'habet Pnei Meshichecha" section, Beis Moshiach Weekly Issue 1224 page 40 | |||
* '''Bold Operation to Rescue the Holy Seforim''', Beis Moshiach Weekly Issue 1224 page 44 | |||
* '''Ten Facts About Rabbi Levi Yitzchak''', Beis Moshiach Weekly Issue 1224 page 47 | |||
* '''Father of the King''', supplement focusing on his character and thought, included with Beis Moshiach Weekly before 20 Menachem Av 2020 | |||
* '''Chacham HaRazim''', interview with Rabbi Alter Eliyahu Friedman, Kfar Chabad Weekly Issue 1870 page 25 | |||
* '''His Face Lit Up''', in the 'Chayei Rebbi' section, Kfar Chabad Weekly Issue 1870 page 32 | |||
* '''Tasting the Revelations of the Geulah''', interview with Rabbi Eliyahu Wolf, Kfar Chabad Weekly Issue 1870 page 40 | |||
* '''The Angel Gabriel''', about the renovation of the matzeivah and the identity of the Yid who merited to be involved with it, Kfar Chabad Weekly Issue 1919 page 23 | |||
* Zalman Ruderman, '''Chassidim Anshei Maaseh''' book, pages 67-84. | |||
== External Links == | |||
'''Life History''' | |||
* Memoirs of Rebbetzin Chana on the Vaad Hanachos b'Lahak website. (Link inactive, 28 Iyar 5783/2023) | |||
* '''Investigation File Documents''' | |||
* Vaad Chayalei Beis Dovid, Life History of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn. (Link inactive, 28 Iyar 5783/2023) | |||
* 'Gaon Yaakov' of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak • Fascinating collection of captivating episodes about the Rebbe's father on Chabad Info website. | |||
* '''The Rebbe and His Father's Attempted Aliyah to the Holy Land • Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson's Aliyah File''' | |||
* '''With Dedication and Determination''' Life history on Chabad House website | |||
'''His Torah''' | |||
* Overview of R' Levi Yitzchak's Torah, Yerchei Kallah Collection 5773 p. 14, Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva Kfar Chabad (Link inactive, 28 Iyar 5783/2023) | |||
* Rabbi David Dubov, '''The Shliach Who Makes Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's Torah Accessible, in a Special Interview''' (English) | |||
* '''How Rabbi Levi-Yitzchak's Books Were Burned • Special''' | |||
* Rabbi Moshe Kornovitz, '''Israel, Torah and the Holy One Blessed Be He Are All One''' HaTamim Issue 53 p. 42 | |||
* Rabbi Yehuda Leib Weisglass, '''A Son Honors His Father''', HaTamim Issue 53 p. 50 | |||
* Rabbi Asher Farkash, '''20 Av – General Overview of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's Torah''', on Chabad YouTube filtering website | |||
'''Stories''' | |||
* A Summer Night in Yekaterinoslav • A Moving and Relevant Story, special article on Chabad Info website in honor of his birthday on 18 Nissan. (Link inactive, 28 Iyar 5783/2023) | |||
'''His Picture''' | |||
* Shneur Zalman Berger, '''Investigation: Who Brought the Rebbe the Picture of His Father Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson?''' | |||
* '''"My Master, My Father, My Teacher, and My Rabbi of Blessed Memory?"''' by Rabbi Mordechai Menashe Laufer on website | |||
'''Miscellaneous''' | |||
* Get (divorce document) written in Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson's Beis Din (Link inactive, 28 Iyar 5783/2023) | |||
* News about a memorial monument in his memory (Link inactive, 28 Iyar 5783/2023) | |||
* Shneur Zalman Berger, '''Why Didn't the Rebbe's Father and His Family Come to Eretz Yisrael?''', in Beis Moshiach Weekly, Parshas Lech Lecha 5778 | |||
* '''Mayanosecha''' Issue 34. Chabad Torah for Yeshiva Students, 5772. (Link inactive, 18 Menachem Av 5781). | |||
* Mendy Goldman, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak in the Cycle of the Year, Beis Moshiach Weekly, 19 Av 5773 (07/26/2013) (Link inactive, 28 Iyar 5783/2023) | |||
* How Rabbi Levi-Yitzchak's Books Were Burned • Special (Link inactive, 28 Iyar 5783/2023) | |||
* Menachem Ziegelboim, '''500 Times Like This''', Special edition in honor of the Yahrzeit 5781, published by Chabad-Lubavitch Kazakhstan | |||
* '''Revealing a Rare Letter from R' Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn''', on 'Lachluchus Geulati' website | |||
'''Media''' | |||
* '''These are the Generations of Levi Yitzchak: A Moving Journey Through the Places Where He Lived and Worked''' Video production for the Yahrzeit on 20 Menachem Av 5780, Fleishman and Kaminetzky | |||
* '''The Rebbe Leads the Prayers on His Father's Yahrzeit''' Video from 20 Menachem Av 5735, 17 Shevat 5774 (Link inactive, 28 Iyar 5783/2023) | |||
* '''The Rebbe Tells About His Father''' From JEM's weekly video magazine | |||
* '''The Character of a Man of Self-Sacrifice''' | |||
[[Category:Beis HaRav]] | |||
[[Category:Family of the Rebbe]] | |||
[[he:לוי יצחק שניאורסון (אב אדמו"ר שליט"א)]] | |||