The Rebbe: Difference between revisions

'''Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson''' (born [[11 Nissan]] 5662 (April 18, 1902)) — known as '''the Rebbe of Lubavitch''', and among Chabad Chassidim simply as '''the Rebbe''' — is the seventh Rebbe of the [[Chabad-Lubavitch]] dynasty and the [[leader of the generation]]. He is identified by Chabad Chassidim as [[Moshiach]] (the Messiah), who will bring the true and complete Redemption to the Jewish people. Among his most prominent achievements is the global network of [[Chabad emissaries]], and the [[Ten Campaigns]] he initiated with the aim of bringing Jewish practice within reach of every Jewish man and woman. Throughout his teachings, speeches, and influence, the expectation of the Messiah's arrival and active efforts to hasten the Redemption are a central and constant theme.

The Rebbe was born on Friday, 11 Nissan 5662 (April 18, 1902),<ref>The Rebbe's birth date became known to the Chassidim for the first time during his visit to Paris, when on 11 Nissan his mother Rebbetzin Chana approached a group of Chassidim — among them Rabbi Ben Zion Shemtov — and suggested they ask the Rebbe to hold a gathering in honor of his birthday. They did so, and the Rebbe agreed and led a gathering. (''Yemei Melech'', vol. 3, p. 997.)</ref> in the Russian-Ukrainian town of [[Nikolayev]], to Rabbi [[Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn]]<ref>On his father's side, the Rebbe is a sixth-generation descendant of the [[Tzemach Tzedek]]: his father Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was the son of Rabbi Baruch Schneur Zalman Schneersohn, son of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn, son of Rabbi Baruch Shalom Schneersohn — the firstborn son of the Tzemach Tzedek — who was also the grandfather of his wife, [[Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka]].</ref> and Rebbetzin [[Chana Schneersohn]], daughter of Rabbi Meir Shlomo Yanovsky, the rabbi of Nikolayev.

On 6 Kislev 5689 (November 9, 1928), the Rebbe became engaged to Rebbetzin [[Chaya Mushka Schneersohn]], the daughter of the Rebbe Rayatz. The wedding took place in the city of [[Riga]].<ref>It is told that before the wedding canopy (''chuppah''), Rabbi Berel Moshe Shmutzkin asked the Rebbe Rayatz what kind of groom this was. He replied: "I have given my daughter to a man. He is expert in the Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud, knowledgeable in the early and later authorities and more. At four o'clock in the morning he is never asleep — either he has not yet gone to sleep, or he has already risen."</ref> On Shabbos of the Torah portion Vayeitzei, 11 Kislev, the Shabbos before the wedding (''aufruf'') was held and the Rebbe was called up to the Torah in the Rebbe Rayatz's minyan.

*The ''[[HaTemim]]'' booklets

[[File:תשיא 2.jpg|thumb|The Rebbe's first official photograph, taken on 30 Shvat 5711 at the reception of Rabbi Yehudah Leib Pozner<ref>''Tishrei in Lubavitch'' — supplement to ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', p. 51, Tishrei 5780.</ref>]]

After ascending to the leadership, the Rebbe launched campaigns to spread the observance of Jewish commandments and Chassidic teaching under the motto ''u'faratzta'' ("and you shall spread forth"), taken from the verse "and you shall spread forth westward and eastward and northward and southward."<ref>Genesis 28:14.</ref> Within these campaigns he called upon his followers to make an impact in every possible place — to observe the commandments and study Torah — including by going to public spaces and helping Jews fulfill these commandments. He also called upon Chassidim to help financially those who lacked the means to purchase objects needed for the commandments.

Later, the Rebbe initiated public drives he called "campaigns" (''mivtza'im''). Some are tied to the festivals and are seasonal — for example: lighting Chanukah menorahs in homes, businesses, and city centers; Lag BaOmer parades; taking the Four Species (lulav, esrog, myrtle, and willow) with Jews on Sukkos; distributing hand-guarded matzah before Passover; blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah; arranging for Jews to hear the Ten Commandments on Shavuos who would not otherwise attend synagogue; observing the four Purim commandments; and more.

The Rebbe frequently emphasized the immense importance of performing a commandment even once,<ref>See for example ''Likkutei Sichos'', vol. 6, p. 272; ''Igros Kodesh'', vol. 18, p. 177.</ref> even when the commandment is performed without understanding its deeper significance.<ref>''Likkutei Sichos'', vol. 6, p. 274.</ref>

Another project the Rebbe initiated, which he called the [[Ten Campaigns]], is a call to every Jew to fulfill ten commandments that he saw as central, and to influence additional Jews to do the same. These include: loving one's fellow Jew, Jewish education, Torah study, putting on tefillin, affixing mezuzos, keeping kosher food, giving charity, maintaining a home with sacred books, lighting Shabbos and festival candles on Friday night and before Yom Tov, and observing the laws of family purity.<ref>Yirmiyahu Branover, in the book ''Pela HaDoros'', 10 Shvat 5743, p. 37.</ref>

In the wake of his call, Chabad Chassidim regularly set up tefillin stands on city streets offering the public the opportunity to fulfill the commandment. The women and girls of Chabad distribute Shabbos candles and explanatory leaflets about the commandment to women and girls. Chabad Houses also offer services for affixing and checking mezuzos and kashering kitchens for anyone who wishes.

*[[The Activities of the Rebbe of Lubavitch in Chronological Order]]