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[[File:הרז"א.jpg|thumb|368x368px|Rabbi Shneur Zalman Aharon Schneerson]]
'''Reb Shneour Zalman Aharon Schneerson''' known as '''The Raza''' (July 19, 1858 - October 28, 1908) was the eldest son of the Rebbe Maharash, and the older brother of the Rebbe Rashab. He was known for his exceptional talents and wrote many Torah insights throughout his life, but burned them before his passing and instructed that the ashes be buried in his grave.


== Life History ==
Rabbi '''Shneur Zalman Aharon Schneerson''' (known by his initials as the '''Raza''') (19 Tammuz 5618 [July 1, 1858] – 11 Cheshvan 5669 [November 4, 1908]) was the firstborn son of [[the Rebbe Maharash]], and the elder brother of [[the Rebbe Rashab]]. He was renowned for his exceptional gifts and wrote a great deal of original Torah scholarship throughout his life — yet before his passing he burned all of his writings and instructed that the ashes be buried together with him in his grave.
Born on July 19, 1858 to his father the [[The Rebbe Maharash|Rebbe Maharash]] and his mother Rebbetzin Rivka. He was named after the Alter Rebbe and after his maternal grandfather, Reb Aharon Alexandrov of Shklov.


The Tzemach Tzedek had a custom of giving his grandchildren acronyms during their bris. He called Reb Shneour Zalman Aharon "Raza," and this is what the chassidim called him.
== Life ==


When he was three years old, the Tzemach Tzedek suggested to his son Reb Yisroel Noach to take the Raza as a son-in-law for his daughter. Reb Yisroel Noach asked his father, "Maybe this child won't become a scholar?" His father replied: "A scholar like you he'll certainly be, and possibly he'll know how to learn more than you!"
Rabbi Shneur Zalman Aharon was born on 19 Tammuz 5618 (July 1, 1858) to his father [[the Rebbe Maharash]] and his mother [[Rebbetzin Rivka|Rebbetzin Rivkah]]. He was named after [[the Alter Rebbe]] and after his maternal grandfather, the pious Rabbi [[Aharon Alexandrov of Shklov]].


In his childhood, he played often with his younger brother, the Rebbe Rashab, and in Chabad tradition there are many chassidic stories about this period. The Rebbe would tell these stories and derive lessons in avodas Hashem from them. The Raza excelled in wonderful talents and elevated middos. His father the Rebbe Maharash said about him: "He has a strong mind, he can think two thoughts simultaneously."
[[The Tzemach Tzedek]] had a custom at the circumcision of his grandsons of also calling them by an acronym formed from their initials. For Rabbi Shneur Zalman Aharon he called out ''Raza'' — and by that name he was known among Chassidim ever after.<ref>''HaKria VeHaKedusha'', 5702 (1941–1942), p. 224.</ref>


At one farbrengen the Rebbe Rayatz said about his uncle: "My uncle the Raza, who had good middos by nature, had a strong heart. Even when he suffered from severe pain - and he suffered much in his lifetime - there was always a smile on his face. He never shed a tear over his suffering. But when he heard that someone was suffering, the smile would fade from his face and tears would appear in his eyes, and he would do everything to help the sufferer."
When the Raza was three years old, the Tzemach Tzedek suggested to his son Rabbi [[Yisrael Noach Schneerson]] that he take the young Raza as a groom for his daughter. Rabbi Yisrael Noach asked his father: "But what if this child does not grow up to be a Torah scholar?" His father replied: "A Torah scholar like you he will certainly be — and it is quite possible he will know more than you!"


== Marriage ==
In his childhood, he spent a great deal of time playing with his younger brother the Rebbe Rashab, and Chabad tradition has preserved many stories from that period. The Rebbe would often recount these stories and draw from them practical lessons in the service of G-d.<ref>See, for example, [https://chabadlibrary.org/books/admur/tm/2/7/index.htm the talk of Motzaei Yom Tov of Sukkos 5711 (1950)], as well as ''Toras Menachem — Hisvaaduyos'' 5742 (1981–1982), Vol. 1, p. 313; 5747 (1986–1987), Vol. 2, p. 304; 5749 (1988–1989), Vol. 2, p. 431; and elsewhere.</ref>
In Cheshvan 1873, his wedding to his cousin, Sterna, daughter of Reb Yisroel Noach Schneerson, took place. The wedding feast was held in the small zal in Lubavitch.


After his father's passing, the Raza accepted the nesius jointly with the Rebbe Rashab, but withdrew after a short period. He engaged in business and performed many activities for klal Yisroel.
The Raza was blessed with extraordinary talents and noble character. His father the Rebbe Maharash said of him: "He has a powerful mind — he is capable of thinking two thoughts simultaneously."


The Rebbe Rashab, who was his younger brother, did not want to formally accept the nesius while his older brother lived in Lubavitch, and for eleven years refrained from acting as Rebbe. Only in 1894 when he moved to Vitebsk did the Rebbe Rashab's nesius begin officially.
At one of his gatherings, [[the Rebbe Rayatz]] spoke of his uncle: "My uncle the Raza, who possessed fine character traits by his very nature, had a strong heart. Even when he was suffering the most severe afflictions — and he suffered greatly throughout his life — there was always a smile on his face. He never shed a tear over his own pain. But when he heard that someone else was suffering, the smile would vanish from his face and tears would appear in his eyes, and he would do everything in his power to help the one who was suffering."


== Passing ==
=== Marriage ===
In the summer months of 1908 he fell ill, and after the holidays of Tishrei 1909 his illness worsened, and on Thursday, October 28, 1908, he passed away at age fifty-one.


He is buried in Vitebsk.
[[File:הרז"א תמונה שהתגלתה בתשפ"ג.jpeg|250px|thumb|left|The Raza]]
 
In the month of Cheshvan 5634 (October–November 1873),<ref>For further details about the wedding celebration, see the talk of the Rebbe Rayatz on 19 Kislev 5693 (December 8, 1932) — ''Likkutei Dibburim'', Vol. 1, p. 15b.</ref> the Raza's wedding took place with his cousin Miss Sterna, daughter of Rabbi [[Yisrael Noach Schneerson]]. The wedding celebration was held in the small hall — known in Chabad as the ''Zal HaKatan'' — in the town of [[Lubavitch]].
 
Following the passing of his father the Rebbe Maharash, the Raza accepted joint leadership together with the Rebbe Rashab, but withdrew after a short period.<ref>As explained at length in the monograph ''Toldos HaRaza''.</ref> He engaged in commerce and undertook many activities on behalf of the Jewish people.
 
The Rebbe Rashab, his younger brother, did not wish to formally assume the leadership of Chabad as long as his elder brother was living in Lubavitch, and for eleven years refrained from conducting himself as Rebbe in an official capacity. Only in 5654 (1893–1894), when the Raza moved to [[Vitebsk]], did the Rebbe Rashab's leadership formally begin.
 
=== Passing ===
 
During the summer months of 5668 (1908), the Raza fell ill. After the High Holidays of Tishrei 5669 his condition worsened, and on Thursday, 11 Cheshvan 5669 (November 4, 1908), he passed away at the age of fifty-one.
 
He is buried in the city of Vitebsk.


== Family ==
== Family ==


* His daughter, Mrs. Dina Schneerson
* His daughter, Miss [[Dina Schneerson]]
* His daughter, Mrs. Sara Wolfson
* His daughter, Miss Sarah Wolfson
 
== His Writings ==
 
Although he acted to destroy his writings — including his original Torah scholarship — several Chassidic discourses that he delivered have been preserved, having been recorded by those who heard them. Among these is a discourse he delivered on Shabbos, Parshas Bechukosai 5643 (May 1883), a short time after the passing of his father.<ref>[http://www.chabadlibrary.org/books/default.aspx?furl=/admur/tm/4/15 The Rebbe recounts the story of the discourses].</ref>
 
The Raza delivered a discourse beginning with the words ''VaYisharna HaParos'' ("And the cows went straight"). In 5712 (1951–1952), the Rebbe stated that this discourse should be published, and recounted that the Rebbe Rayatz had instructed him to do so. In 5769 (2008–2009), the Rebbe's request was finally fulfilled and the discourse was published by the Otzar HaChassidim editorial team. See the External Links section below.
 
== Further Reading ==
 
* '''HaRaza''' — ''The Life of the Holy Rabbi Shneur Zalman Aharon Schneerson, Son of the Rebbe Maharash of Lubavitch'', edited by Rabbi [[Yisrael Barda]] — 5782 (2021–2022); second edition with corrections — 5783 (2022–2023).
 
== External Links ==
 
* D. Zakles, [https://col.org.il/files/uploads/original/2022/07/62d46d3904283_1658088761.pdf The Life of the Raza] — 19 Tammuz 5782 (July 18, 2022)
* Zalman Dubinsky, [http://old2.ih.chabad.info/#!g=1&url=article&id=81700 Revealed: Where to Hold the Rebbe's Son's Wedding?] — a halachic responsum written by Rabbi Zivov to his father the Rebbe Maharash regarding the location of the wedding — Chabad Info


== Writings ==
'''From his teachings:'''
Although he acted to destroy his writings containing his Torah insights, we still have several chassidic discourses that he delivered which were written down by listeners. Among them is a maamar he delivered on Shabbos Parshas Bechukosai 1883, shortly after his father's passing.
* [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HMeERK-p9IjhiRgYQyTib8fGN0LNWkrT/view?usp=drivesdk The Discourse ''VaYisharna HaParos'' — 5643 (1882–1883)] — Kehot Publication Society, Brooklyn, N.Y., 5769 (2008–2009)
* A second discourse was published by the Otzar HaChassidim editorial team in 5782 (2021–2022) and is also included in the book ''HaRaza''.


The Raza had a maamar he said on "Vayisharna Haporos". In 1952 the Rebbe said to publish this maamar, and related that the Rebbe Rayatz had told him to do so.
== References ==
[[Category:Beis HaRav]]
[[he:שניאור זלמן אהרן שניאורסון]]
[[Category: Beis HaRav]]
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