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'''Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn - The Rebbe Rashab''' ([[20 Cheshvan]] [[5621]] - [[2 Nissan]] [[5680]]) was the fifth [[Nasi]] in the golden chain of [[Chabad Rebbeim]], the son of the [[The Rebbe Maharash|Rebbe Maharash]] and [[Rebbetzin Rivka]]. He founded Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch, the mother of all Chabad yeshivos worldwide. Known as "the [[The Rambam|Rambam]] of [[Chabad Chassidus Philosophy|Chassidus]]" for his systematic and comprehensive approach to explaining Chassidic concepts.
[[File:אדמור הרשב - תמונה קטנה.jpg|thumb|Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn, the Rebbe Rashab]]


== Early Years and Childhood ==
'''Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn — the Rebbe Rashab''' ([[20 Cheshvan]] 5621 (November 5, 1860) – [[2 Nissan]] 5680 (March 21, 1920)) was the fifth Rebbe in the [[Chabad-Lubavitch]] dynasty, son of Rabbi Shmuel (the [[Maharash]]) and [[Rebbetzin Rivkah Schneersohn]]. He founded the [[Tomchei Temimim]] yeshiva in Lubavitch — the mother of all Chabad yeshivas worldwide. He is known as the '''Rambam of Chassidic Teaching''' — a title conferred upon him because of the extraordinary depth, breadth, and systematic precision of his Chassidic discourses, which the elder Chassidim compared to the monumental legal code of Maimonides (the Rambam) in their comprehensiveness and clarity.
{{Chabad}}
Born in [[Lubavitch]] on Monday, [[Parshas Chayei Sarah]], 20 Cheshvan 5621. Regarding his birth, it is told that a year earlier, on the 10th of Kislev 5620 (1860), his mother dreamed that she saw her mother, Mrs. Chaya Sarah, and her grandfather, [[the Mitteler Rebbe]]. Her mother said to her with a happy face: "Rivka, you and your husband should write a Torah scroll," and the Mitteler Rebbe added: "And you will have a good son, and don't forget to name him after me." Her mother added: "Rivka, did you hear what my father is telling you?" And thus the dream ended. After nine days, on the night of the 19th of Kislev, she dreamed again, and this time in addition to her mother and grandfather, an elderly man arrived. Her mother said to her: "Rivka, you and your husband should write a Torah scroll." The Mitteler Rebbe said: "And you will have a good son," and the elderly man said: "Amen, so may Hashem say." Her mother concluded: "Grandfather, bless her," and the elderly man blessed her. Her mother and the Mitteler Rebbe answered Amen loudly, and she awoke. Afterwards she told her dreams to her husband,  the Rebbe Maharash, who said that he wanted the Torah scroll to be written on elegant parchment from properly slaughtered and kosher hides. The Tzemach Tzedek commanded that the beginning of the Torah scroll writing should be done secretly, in the presence of his brothers only and in his room. Less than a year later, the son was born and was named 'Shalom Dovber' after his two grandfathers, Rabbi Shalom Shachna and the Mitteler Rebbe<ref>HaTamim, Issue 3, Pages 28-30</ref>.


On the 26th of Kislev 5621 (1861), the circumcision ceremony was held, after being postponed at the instruction of the Tzemach Tzedek from the 27th of Cheshvan. His grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek explained during the circumcision event the name according to Chassidic teachings: "Rashab means flesh breaking (basar shavar) - one needs to break the flesh of the body, and he was born on the 20th of Cheshvan 5621 (1861), which contains two kaf letters, alluding to the supernal crown."<ref>Sefer HaMaamarim from 5710 (1950), page 163</ref>
== Life ==


On the 20th of Cheshvan 5624 (1864), the Rebbe Rashab's first haircut was performed. At the instruction of the Tzemach Tzedek, the haircut was done secretly. The night before, the Rebbe Rashab slept in the room of the Tzemach Tzedek, and when he woke up, the Tzemach Tzedek told the attendant R' Chaim Ber Chaimson to wash the Rebbe Rashab's hands, and the Tzemach Tzedek recited the morning blessings with the child and answered Amen after his blessings. After the prayer, he called his son and daughter-in-law, the child's parents, and told them: "The spiritual oil flask that our teacher [[the Baal Shem Tov]] gave to his disciple our teacher the Maggid of Mezritch to anoint the Alter Rebbe for leadership for his generations, with this power my father-in-law - the Mitteler Rebbe was anointed, and I with this power anointed you (Admor the Maharash) and with this power I am anointing the child."
=== Childhood and Youth ===


As customary, the Rashab's entrance to cheder was done on the day of his haircut, and he was brought to study in the "cheder" which was in the second room of the small Beit Midrash of his grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek. It is told that during the child's entrance celebration, his grandfather threw candies at him saying they were thrown by the angel Michael. The child accepted this with innocence and refrained from eating the candies. On Passover eve, while checking the children's pockets, the Tzemach Tzedek called his grandson and asked him what he did with the candies, and he was compelled to eat them<ref>Chanoch LaNaar" (Education for Youth), page 8</ref>.
The Rebbe Rashab was born on the second day of the Torah portion of Chayei Sarah, 20 Cheshvan 5621 (November 5, 1860), to his father [[Rabbi Shmuel Schneersohn (the Maharash)]] and [[Rebbetzin Rivkah Schneersohn]], in the town of [[Lubavitch]].


Every day, the Rashab would enter with his brother [[Reb Shneur Zalman Aharon Schneerson - The Raza|Rabbi Shneur Zalman Aharon Schneerson]] to their grandfather, the Tzemach Tzedek, who would play with him and take interest in his studies, and even gave them various coins regularly. In his childhood, he played a lot with his older brother the Raza, and in the Chabad tradition there are many chassidic stories related to this period. The Rebbe used to tell these stories and derived instructions in divine service from them.
Regarding his birth, it is told that a year earlier, on 10 Kislev 5620 (1859), his mother dreamed that she saw her own mother, Chaya Sarah, and her grandfather, the [[Mitteler Rebbe]] (the second Chabad Rebbe). Her mother appeared with a joyful expression and said: "Rivkah, you and your husband should commission the writing of a Torah scroll." The Mitteler Rebbe added: "And you will have a good son — and do not forget to name him after me." Her mother continued: "Rivkah, do you hear what my father is saying to you?" — and with that the dream ended.


==== Early Achievements ====
Nine days later, on the night of 19 Kislev — the Chabad festival of liberation — she dreamed again. This time, in addition to her mother and grandfather, an elderly man appeared. Her mother again said: "Rivkah, you and your husband should write a Torah scroll." The Mitteler Rebbe said: "And you will have a good son." The elderly man said: "Amen — so may God declare." Her mother concluded: "Grandfather, please bless her" — and the elderly man blessed her. Her mother and the Mitteler Rebbe answered "Amen" aloud, and she awoke.
By age five, he showed extraordinary hasmada. At age eight, he began attending the Rebbe Maharash's maamarim, and by age nine, his father began teaching him p'nimius. Before his bar mitzvah, he was already boki in all of Tanach, Shisha Sidrei Mishna, and Shulchan Aruch.


At age 14, he knew all of Seder Nashim by heart. In 5635, he began serving as a chozer for his father [[the Rebbe Maharash]], transcribing hanachos of the maamarim.
She then related both dreams to her husband, the Maharash, who said that he wished the Torah scroll to be written on specially fine parchment made from the hides of ritually slaughtered kosher animals. The Tzemach Tzedek (the Maharash's father, the third Chabad Rebbe) instructed that the first writing of the Torah scroll be done privately, in the presence of his sons alone and in his own room. Less than a year later, the promised son was born and was named Shalom DovBer — after two of his grandfathers: Rabbi Shalom Shachna Altschuler and the [[Mitteler Rebbe]], whose Hebrew name was DovBer.<ref>''HaTemim'', issue 3.</ref>


== Marriage ==
The bris (circumcision) was held on 26 Kislev 5621 — having been postponed from 27 Cheshvan at the Tzemach Tzedek's instruction. During the bris celebration, the Tzemach Tzedek explained the child's name according to Chassidic teaching: "Rashab — ''basar shavar'' (he who breaks down the physical body) — one must break down the coarseness of the body. And he was born on 20 Cheshvan 5621, which contains two letter ''kaffs'', alluding to the Supernal Crown (''Kesser Ila'a'')."<ref>''HaTemim'', issue 3, pp. 28–30.</ref>
The shidduch (match) between Rebbe Rashab and his cousin Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah was proposed by their grandfather, the Tzemach Tzedek, when the Rebbe was only 4 years old.


As the wedding time approached, the Maharash instructed his son, the groom, to be tested and receive rabbinic ordination (smicha), as was the custom in the Rebbe's household. When the wedding date arrived, the Maharash insisted on holding the wedding in a holy place comparable to Jerusalem during the time of exile - in the town of Lubavitch. In practice, due to various circumstances, this did not materialize and the wedding took place in the bride's hometown of Avrutch.
On 20 Cheshvan 5624 (1863), the Rebbe Rashab's first haircut (''upsherin'') was held. By the Tzemach Tzedek's instruction it was done privately. The night before, the Rebbe Rashab slept in the Tzemach Tzedek's room. When he awoke, the Tzemach Tzedek instructed his attendant, Rabbi Chaim Ber Chaimson, to pour water over the child's hands for the morning hand-washing, and then recited the morning blessings together with the child, answering "Amen" after each of his blessings. After the prayer, he called his son and daughter-in-law — the child's parents — and said to them:


On Saturday night of Parshat Teitzei, on the 11th of Elul 5635 (1875), the wedding took place in the city of Avrutch. The plan was for the bride and groom to return immediately after the wedding together with Rebbetzin Rivka Schneerson to Lubavitch, but due to an unexpected delay, they arrived in Lubavitch only the following Saturday night.
<blockquote>"The flask of spiritual oil that our teacher the [[Baal Shem Tov]] gave to his disciple our teacher the [[Maggid of Mezeritch]], to anoint the [[Alter Rebbe]] to the leadership of his generation for all future generations — through that power my father-in-law, the [[Mitteler Rebbe]], was anointed; and I, through that power, anointed you, the Maharash; and through that power I hereby anoint this child."<ref>''Sefer HaMaamarim 5710'', p. 163.</ref></blockquote>


The groom's father, the Maharash, did not attend the wedding because of his health condition. His wife, Rebbetzin Rivka, traveled with the groom to the wedding. A week before the wedding, on Sunday the 5th of Elul, the Maharash traveled to accompany his son to the town of Acharmove. There he delivered Chassidic teachings (Dach) and shared wonderful stories. When he finished sharing the Chassidic teachings, he said to his son the groom: "Now is the revelation of the aspect of mochin d'ima (mother's consciousness), therefore the groom's mother travels, but in the future to come, when mochin d'abba (father's consciousness) will be revealed, I myself will also be there."
As was customary, the Rebbe Rashab was brought to the ''cheder'' (the traditional Jewish school) on the day of his upsherin, enrolled in the study hall adjacent to his grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek's room. During the enrollment celebration, the Tzemach Tzedek threw candies at the child, saying they had been thrown by the angel Michael. The child took this simply and literally, and refrained from eating the candies. On the eve of Passover, when the pockets of the children's clothes were being checked, the Tzemach Tzedek called his grandson and asked him what he had done with the candies — and the child was obliged to eat them then and there.<ref>''Chinuch LaNoar'', p. 8.</ref>


The Maharash told his son the groom not to wear the shtreimel at his wedding, and in general to wear it only in Lubavitch. In the carriage was placed a box containing a hat with a feather, a gift from the groom and his mother to the bride. The Maharash asked for the hat and removed its feather.
Each day, the Rebbe Rashab would enter together with his brother Rabbi Schneur Zalman Aharon Schneersohn to visit their grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek,<ref>''Sefer HaSichos Summer 5700'', p. 99.</ref> who would engage with them warmly and inquire about their studies,<ref>''Sefer HaMaamarim 5701'', p. 30.</ref> and regularly gave them various coins.<ref>[https://www.kedem-auctions.com/he/node/117401 Photograph of a coin received, and details about receiving coins from the Tzemach Tzedek], Kedem Auction House.</ref> In his childhood he often played with his elder brother the Raza (Rabbi Schneur Zalman Aharon), and the Chabad tradition preserves many stories from that period. The Rebbe [Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson] regularly told these stories and drew from them practical guidance in divine service.<ref>See for example the talk of Motzaei Yom Tov Sukkos 5711, and ''Hisva'aduyos'' 5742 vol. 1 p. 313; 5747 vol. 2 p. 304; 5749 vol. 2 p. 431.</ref>


The groom's father wished for the bride, groom, and all their escorts to return to Lubavitch immediately after the wedding, so that at least he could celebrate the "Shabbat Sheva Brachot" with them. However, the bride's father tried to delay them further, and they ended up leaving Avrutch late and could not reach Lubavitch before Shabbat, arriving only on Saturday night. When the groom returned, his father told him, "I have regards for you from Father (the Tzemach Tzedek), from Grandfather (the Mitteler Rebbe), and from Great-grandfather (the Alter Rebbe), with an understanding heart."
{{Quote|"My son the Rashab was never a boy — even in his youth he was God-fearing, orderly, and so diligent that his conduct would be in the path of Chassidus. And by the time of his bar mitzvah he was already a Chassid engaged in structured divine service."|Words of the Maharash about his son (''Sefer HaSichos 5701'', p. 27).}}


Although the groom himself was not present in Lubavitch, the Maharash was in an especially elevated state of joy throughout the seven days of celebration, and even delivered an enormous number of Chassidic discourses (32). On the Shabbat of Sheva Brachot, the Rebbe held three farbrengens (gatherings).
From the age of five, the Rebbe Rashab showed remarkable diligence in his studies.<ref name="chinuch9">''Chinuch LaNoar'', p. 9.</ref> By age eight he was present during the delivery of Chassidic discourses,<ref name="chinuch9"/> and at nine his father the Maharash began guiding him in a deeper, more inward way.<ref>''Sefer HaMaamarim 5710'', p. 165.</ref> By the time of his bar mitzvah, he was already thoroughly versed in the entire Hebrew Bible (''Tanach''), all six orders of the Mishnah,<ref name="chinuch9"/> and the Shulchan Aruch (the standard Code of Jewish Law).<ref>''Sefer HaSichos 5703'', p. 64.</ref>


== Accepting the Nesius ==
By age fourteen he had committed the entire order of Nashim (the Mishnah's section dealing with family law) to memory. In 5635 (1875), he began serving as one of his father the Maharash's memorizers (''chozrim'') — the disciples who would commit the Rebbe's oral discourses to memory — and to write them down as transcriptions.<ref name="chinuch10">''Chinuch LaNoar'', p. 10.</ref>
On 13 Tishrei 5643 (1882), the Rebbe Maharash, father of the Rebbe Rashab, passed away. This event affected him very deeply. The process of the Rebbe Rashab accepting the leadership continued for about eleven years. A few days after the passing, on the second day of Sukkot, 16 Tishrei, the Rebbe Rashab delivered a maamar (Chassidic discourse) beginning with "Kesser Yitnu Lecha." During Chanukah, he delivered another maamar. These maamarim were copied and sent to the chassidim who received them with joy (among Chabad Rebbes, delivering a maamar serves as a sign of accepting leadership).


During the year of mourning, the Rebbe Rashab adopted special practices; he would pray in his father's room, and after prayer, he would close the door and remain in the room throughout the day, where he ate, studied, and slept. He refused to receive anyone and did not answer questions or requests for advice. He dedicated all his time to prayer and Torah study, and was generally engaged in solitude and inner spiritual work. During that year and in the years that followed, he traveled several times to other cities and distant countries for health reasons.
After his marriage, the Maharash instructed his son the Rashab to eat only at a separate table of a specific size. For sixteen years the Rashab ate at that same table without knowing why. His days were filled with Torah study.<ref>On Shabbos, the Rebbe Rashab would rise at 3:00 a.m., and on weekdays at 4:00 a.m. He would study Chassidic teachings and pray until 10:00 a.m. He would then study the revealed dimension of Torah law together with his brother Rabbi Schneur Zalman Aharon and with Rabbi Shalom of Kadin until 2:00 p.m., and again from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. On Shabbos he would study the Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim and review the Mishnah from memory, though the main body of his study was Chassidic teachings and Kabbalah. On Friday nights he would customarily enter his father's room before the evening prayer. On Friday afternoons and Saturday nights he generally remained awake, immersed in study and deep contemplation of Torah law or Chassidic teaching. On Wednesday mornings his father would often share with him in a private audience (''yechidus'') an explanation of the Chassidic discourse that had been delivered the previous Shabbos.</ref>


In 5650 (1890), the Rebbe Rashab began receiving people for yechidus (private audience) on a temporary basis. On Rosh Hashanah 5654 (1893), he also began to pray in his father's regular place, to receive chassidim for yechidus on a regular basis, and to respond in writing to the chassidim's questions. He would also deliver his Chassidic discourses for the chassidim to copy, distribute, and study.
=== Marriage ===


It was very important to the Chabad chassidic community that the Rebbe Rashab formally and fully accept the leadership. On one occasion, Reb Gershon Dov of Nevel said to the Rebbe Rashab regarding his refusal to accept the leadership: "The Alter Rebbe kindled the light of Chassidus, and you want to extinguish it?" When the Rebbe Rashab heard this, he burst into tears. After many requests and pleas, he agreed to formally and fully accept the leadership.
{{Further|The Wedding of the Rebbe Rashab}}


== His Torah ==
The match between the Rebbe Rashab and his cousin [[Rebbetzin Sterna Sara]] had been proposed by their grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek when the Rashab was only four years old.
The Rebbe Rashab is known as the "Rambam of Chassidus," due to his lengthy discourses in which he extensively explained complex topics in Chassidus. His discourses were published over the years in volumes of maamarim.


The letters of the Rebbe Rashab were printed in the Igros Kodesh series in six volumes.
As the time of the wedding approached, the Maharash instructed his son the groom to be examined and receive rabbinical ordination (''semicha''), as was the custom of the Rebbe's household. The Maharash wished for the wedding to take place in the town that represented the sacred Jerusalem of the exile — in [[Lubavitch]]. In practice, due to various circumstances, this did not come to pass, and the wedding was held in the town where the bride resided: [[Avrutch]].<ref>''Sefer HaToldos Admor HaMaharash'', p. 72.</ref>


==== Chazara ====
On the evening following Shabbos, the Torah portion of Teitzei, 11 Elul 5635 (September 10, 1875), the wedding took place in the city of Avrutch. The plan was for the groom and bride together with Rebbetzin [[Rivkah Schneersohn]] to return immediately after the wedding to Lubavitch — but due to an unexpected delay, they arrived in Lubavitch only on Saturday night.
The Rebbe Rashab would deliver a Chassidic discourse on Friday nights, holidays, and other special occasions. After the team of chozrim (those who would memorize and transcribe) thoroughly memorized the discourse throughout the night of Shabbos, in the morning the meinichem (editors) would enter the Rebbe's room and repeat the discourse before him. He would correct their mistakes and explain what needed clarification.


==== The Chozrim ====
The groom's father, the Maharash, did not attend the wedding due to his health,<ref>''HaTemim'', vol. 2, pp. 45–46.</ref> though his wife Rebbetzin Rivkah traveled with the groom to the wedding. A week before the wedding, on Sunday 5 Elul, the Maharash traveled out to accompany his son as far as the village of Ochremovo. There he delivered a Chassidic discourse and shared wondrous teachings. When he finished the discourse, he said to his son the groom: "What is now being revealed is the dimension of ''Mochin d'Imma'' (the intellectual faculty of Understanding) — and therefore the mother of the groom is traveling along. But in the future era, when ''Mochin d'Abba'' (the intellectual faculty of Wisdom) will be revealed, I myself will be there."


* Rabbi Meshulam Yedidya Kuratin (called "Reb Shilem"). Served as the head chozer
The Maharash told his son not to wear the traditional fur hat (''shtreimel'') at his wedding, and in general to wear it only in Lubavitch. In the carriage there was a box containing a feathered hat — a gift from the groom and his mother to the bride. The Maharash asked for the hat and removed its feather.
* Rabbi Yisroel Noach "HaKatan" Chatzkovitch
* Rabbi Eliyahu Yachil Simpson
* Rabbi Mordechai Chefetz
* Rabbi Alter Shimchovitz
* Rabbi Moshe Rosenblatt (known as Reb Moshe der Chozer)
* Rabbi Yaakov Landau


== Public Activities ==
The Maharash's wish was that the groom and bride and all those accompanying them return to Lubavitch immediately after the wedding, so that at the very least he could celebrate the Shabbos of the Seven Blessings (''Sheva Brachos'') with them. However, the bride's father attempted to keep them with him longer. As a result, they left Avrutch later than planned and could not arrive in Lubavitch before Shabbos, arriving only on Saturday night. Upon his return, the Maharash said to him: "I have greetings for you from Father (the Tzemach Tzedek), from Grandfather (the Mitteler Rebbe), and from the grandfather's father (the Alter Rebbe) — with an understanding heart."
During his leadership, he worked extensively to improve both the physical and spiritual condition of Jews in general and Russian Jews in particular. He first began to engage in public activism in the year 5640 (1880), when he would update his father regarding a decree that was imposed on the Jews in Russia at that time. In 5652 (1892), the Russian government decided to expel all Jews from Moscow. The Rebbe Rashab tried various ways to cancel the decree, but without success. Nevertheless, during the implementation of the decree, he ensured that the Jews of Moscow were settled in suitable locations.


In 5655 (1895), the Rebbe Rashab began to become more involved in public activism, especially in strengthening Colel Chabad in the Holy Land. In 5657 (1897), he began to work against the establishment of schools by the Society for the Promotion of Enlightenment, and tried at least to prevent the establishment of a school in the town of Lubavitch by appealing to Baron Naftali Hertz Ginzburg. After the school was already established, he tried at least to prevent funding for the school and initiated a struggle on the issue.
Despite the groom's absence, the Maharash was in a state of extraordinary, transcendent joy throughout all seven days of the wedding celebration, and delivered no fewer than thirty-two Chassidic discourses. On the Shabbos of the Seven Blessings, the Rebbe led Chassidic gatherings (''farbrengens'') three times.


In 5662 (1902), he established a weaving and spinning factory in Dubrovna in order to employ Jews, and he even requested support from the Jewish organization JCA to finance the factory.
=== Assuming the Leadership ===


During the Russo-Japanese War (5664-5665 / 1904-1905), the Rebbe Rashab arranged for matzos and Pesach necessities for Jewish soldiers who were then in the Russian army. In 5665 (1905), he established a special committee to handle this matter. In the summer of that year, he first proposed during a Colel Chabad conference the establishment of a Chabad yeshiva in Hebron. The yeshiva Toras Emes was founded several years later in 5672 (1912) in Beit Romano in Hebron.
[[File:מפת ליובאוויטש.jpg|left|thumb|250px|A map of the town of [[Lubavitch]], where the Rebbe Rashab served as Rebbe.]]


In 5665 (1905), a rabbinical assembly was held in Vilna, where the government demanded that rabbis teach secular studies. During the assembly, the Rebbe Rashab said:<blockquote>This all nations on earth must know, that only our bodies were handed over to exile and subjugation of kingdoms, but our souls were not handed over to exile and subjugation of kingdoms. We must declare openly before all, that regarding everything known to our religion, Torah and mitzvot and Jewish customs, no one has any authority over us Children of Israel and no coercive power may be used for this purpose. We must declare with the strongest Jewish stubbornness, with the Jewish self-sacrifice of a thousand years - Do not touch my anointed ones and do not harm my prophets!
{{Further|The Upheaval in Lubavitch}}


— '''Sefer HaSichot 5702''', pp. 105-106.</blockquote>In the year 5670 (1910), a general rabbinical assembly was held in the city of Petersburg on behalf of the authorities, which dealt with fundamental questions regarding the physical and material condition of the Jewish people. This assembly was attended by 42 representatives of Jewish communities in Russia, and through it the authorities sought to establish regulations and rules that contradicted accepted tradition, primarily regarding the status of religious rabbis.
On 13 Tishrei 5643 (September 26, 1882), the Maharash — the Rebbe Rashab's father — passed away. This affected him profoundly. The process by which the Rebbe Rashab came to formally accept the leadership stretched over approximately eleven years.<ref>In the book ''Beis Rebbi'' it is written that the Rebbe Rashab declined the leadership on the grounds that his elder brother Rabbi Schneur Zalman Aharon (the Raza) should fill his father's place. The Raza, however, firmly refused.</ref>


During the assembly, government representatives threatened that if the rabbis did not yield, they would begin pogroms throughout the country. The Rebbe Rashab responded:<blockquote>"We are not afraid of this at all, since there is no decree from Above for this, God forbid." 
Several days after the passing, on the second day of Sukkos — 16 Tishrei — the Rebbe Rashab delivered a Chassidic discourse beginning with the words ''Keser Yitnu Lecha'' ("A crown they shall give You").<ref>See the talk of 20 Marcheshvan 5743, ''Hisva'aduyos'' vol. 1, p. 473.</ref> On Chanukah he delivered another discourse. Both discourses were copied and sent to Chassidim, who received them with great joy. Among Chabad Rebbes, the delivery of a Chassidic discourse publicly serves as the signal of accepting the leadership.


— '''Sefer HaMaamarim Kuntreisim''', p. 350.</blockquote>The Rebbe Rashab took an active part in the Beilis trial, and even established a special committee that worked to defend Mendel Beilis.
During the year of mourning, the Rebbe Rashab followed an extraordinary pattern of conduct. He prayed in his father's room; after prayer he would lock the door and remain there all day — eating, studying, and sleeping in that room. He refused to receive anyone and did not answer questions or requests for guidance. He devoted all his time to prayer and Torah study, and was entirely occupied with inward spiritual work and self-examination.<ref>From the diary of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (the sixth Chabad Rebbe).</ref> During that year and in the years that followed, he traveled several times to other cities and distant regions for the sake of his health.


The Rebbe Rashab was one of the prominent Jewish leaders who opposed Zionism. He pushed for the publication of the book "Or L'Yesharim" that presented the views of Torah leaders against Zionism, and even wrote his own letter for the book: "And if, God forbid, they succeed in holding onto the land as they imagine, they will defile and desecrate it with their abominations and evil deeds, and thereby lengthen the duration of the exile." The Rebbe Rashab was initially among the founders of Agudas Yisroel, but due to its proximity to Zionism and broad emphasis on aliyah to the Holy Land without connection to spiritual conditions, he withdrew from it.
In 5650 (1889–1890), the Rebbe Rashab began accepting people for private audiences (''yechidus'') on a temporary basis. On Rosh Hashanah of 5654 (1893), he also began praying in his father's established place, formally receiving Chassidim for private audiences on a regular basis, and answering their written questions. He also began distributing his Chassidic discourses so that Chassidim could copy, circulate, and study them.<ref>In the introduction to the ''Luach HaYom Yom'' calendar, the Rebbe [Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson] reckons the beginning of the Rashab's leadership from the day of his father the Maharash's passing. See the talk of 20 Marcheshvan 5743 at length, ''Hisva'aduyos'' vol. 1, pp. 469ff.</ref>


Much of his public activism was done in cooperation with great Rebbes and rabbis such as Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, and the Chofetz Chaim, with whom he maintained regular correspondence and in some cases even met with several of them.
The Chabad Chassidic community felt strongly that the Rebbe Rashab should accept the leadership formally and completely. On one occasion, Rabbi Gershon DovBer of Nevel said to the Rebbe Rashab regarding his reluctance to accept the leadership: "The [[Alter Rebbe]] kindled the light of Chassidus — and you wish to extinguish it?" When the Rebbe Rashab heard this, he burst into tears. After many entreaties, he agreed to formally and fully accept the leadership.


== Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva ==
== His Teachings ==
"The Rebbe Rashab, besides his great holiness and righteousness as leader of Chabad chassidim, was known from his youth among Chabad maskilim as an extraordinary genius in Chabad teachings. Elder chassidim crowned The Rebbe Rashab as 'The Rambam of Chabad teachings' as every topic explained in his Chabad teachings and discourses is established halacha arranged with all reasoning and explanations properly ordered."


On Sunday 15 Elul 1897, during his son the Rayatz's sheva brachos, The Rebbe Rashab called a conference of fifty leading rabbis and wealthy individuals then in Lubavitch for the wedding, announcing his decision to establish Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva. The yeshiva's innovation would be students' analytical study of Chassidus and following its ways. The students, called "Tmimim," would be a center of G-d-fearing, genuine heartfelt divine service. Two days later, on Tuesday 17 Elul, The Rebbe Rashab chose the first 18 students.
The Rebbe Rashab is called "the Rambam of Chassidus" — a title referring to the great medieval codifier Maimonides — because, like Maimonides, his discourses present complex subjects in a systematic, thorough, and carefully organized manner, with every concept explained in its own right, with full reasoning and clarity. His discourses were published over the years in multiple volumes.
[[File:מפת ליובאוויטש.jpg|thumb|A Map of Lubavitch]]
Three years after establishing the yeshiva, on Simchas Torah 1901, The Rebbe Rashab gave a talk to Tmimim students based on Chazal's statement "Anyone going to war for Beis Dovid writes a divorce document for his wife." He explained the Tmimim students' purpose and established additional points in their required work as soldiers of Beis Dovid.


== Health ==
His sacred letters (''igros'') were published in a six-volume collection.
The Rebbe Rashab had a weak constitution and often fell ill. Consequently, he spent much time traveling to health resorts and specialist doctors. In 1884, he first began traveling to healing places, mainly warm coastal countries. In 1886, he went to the Yalta mountains, uniquely bringing his whole family unlike other journeys.


His father the Maharash's passing broke his spirit and weakened him physically. In his twenties, he had to leave home for health resorts to be examined by top doctors and strengthen himself in restful places. Except rarely, he never took his son.
=== Transmission of the Discourses ===


In Kislev 1891, he fell severely ill with fever for about two months. The first month he was confined to his room, emerging for prayer on 24 Teves. That summer he traveled three times (each for five days) to nearby Mazinkes village for his health. After Chanukah 1897, he had to travel to Moscow for healing. Doctors then gave him only months to live, leading him to decide to either move to Eretz Yisroel or relocate somewhere he could study Torah and serve alone.
The Rebbe Rashab would deliver Chassidic discourses on Friday nights, Shabbos, festivals, and other special occasions. After the team of memorizers (''chozrim'') had carefully committed the discourse to memory throughout the night, the transcribers (''mani'achim'' — those who recorded the discourse in writing) would enter the Rebbe's presence the following morning and repeat the discourse before him. He would then correct their errors and explain deeper layers of the teaching.


In winter 1903, he traveled to Vienna with his son the Rayatz and met Dr. Sigmund Freud due to loss of feeling in his left hand. Freud gave The Rebbe Rashab electrical treatment and they discussed various matters. In their conversation, the Rebbe explained how to connect mind and heart so the mind could spiritually enrich the heart.
The memorizers who served the Rebbe Rashab included:
*Rabbi Meshulam Yedidya Kuratin (known as "Rabbi Shilem") — who served as the lead memorizer
*Rabbi Yisrael Noach "the Small" Hatzkevietz
*Rabbi Eliyahu Yechiel Simpson
*Rabbi Mordechai Chefetz
*Rabbi Alter Simchovitch
*Rabbi Moshe Rozenblat (known as "Rabbi Moshe the Memorizer")
*Rabbi Yaakov Landa


== His Last Years ==
== Communal Leadership ==


==== Move to Rostov ====
Throughout his tenure as Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom DovBer worked extensively to improve both the material and spiritual condition of Jews in general, and of Russian Jewry in particular.
In Cheshvan 5676 (1915), the Rebbe Rashab left Lubavitch and moved to Rostov due to World War I.
==== Passing ====
In winter 5680 (1920), the Bolsheviks captured Rostov after a long civil war. Due to dangerous roads and the occupation, the court diminished and the Rebbe requested people not come. Prayers and maamarim were conducted with minimal minyanim.


At the end of Adar, the Rebbe Rashab fell ill. On Motzei Shabbos, the eve of 2 Nissan 5680 (1920) at 4am, it was clear these were his final moments. His eyes closed in dveikus and his breathing weakened. The Frierdiker Rebbe cried out "Tatte! Tatte!" several times. When he stopped breathing and the Frierdiker Rebbe called out again, the Rebbe opened his eyes, looked at him, and two tears fell from his holy eyes before closing again. The Rebbe Rashab straightened his head, arranged his hands and feet, and his holy soul ascended in holiness and purity.
He first became involved in communal advocacy in 5640 (1879–1880), keeping his father the Maharash informed about decrees being enacted against Jews in Russia.<ref name="chinuch10"/> In 5652 (1891–1892), the Russian government decided to expel all Jews from Moscow. The Rebbe Rashab attempted by various means to annul the decree but was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, when the expulsion was carried out, he worked to resettle the Jews of Moscow in appropriate locations.
[[File:הרשב.jpg|thumb|Portrait of The Rebbe Rashab Taken Shortly Before His Passing]]
After the passing, the Chevra Kadisha called some Anash to choose an appropriate burial place. R' Moshe Dober Rivkin, R' Shmuel Gurary, R' Nosson Gurary, R' Tzvi Hirsh Gurary, R' Zalman Havlin, and R' Y. Levin decided to bury him near the shamash's house. The Frierdiker Rebbe came and approved the location.


The elders and respected Anash performed the tahara. They reported that the Rebbe Rashab's holy face maintained vitality throughout, with a slight smile on his lips. A burial coffin was built from the bima boards of the beis medrash and the Rebbe Rashab's shtender. Besides shrouds, he was wrapped in the Shabbos tallis he prayed with in his final days.
In 5655 (1894–1895), he became more deeply involved in communal advocacy, particularly in strengthening the [[Chabad Kollel in the Land of Israel]].<ref>''Chinuch LaNoar'', p. 13.</ref> In 5657 (1896–1897), he began fighting the establishment of schools by the Society for the Promotion of Enlightenment (the Haskalah movement), and tried to prevent a school being opened in Lubavitch itself, by approaching Baron Naftali Hertz Ginsburg.<ref>''Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rashab'', vol. 1, letters 72–73.</ref> After the school had already been established, he fought to prevent public funding from being allocated to it.<ref>''Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rashab'', vol. 3, letter 660.</ref>


All Rostov Jews participated in the funeral. Before burial, the Frierdiker Rebbe designated R' Avrohom Boruch Pozner, R' Eliezer Krasik and another chossid as a special beis din, stating the burial was conditional and he retained rights to transfer the holy remains to his ancestors' graves in Lubavitch. An ohel was erected over the Rebbe Rashab's grave.
In 5662 (1901–1902), he established a weaving and spinning factory in Dobrovna to employ Jews, and sought support from the Jewish organization ICA to fund the enterprise.


==== Moving the Ohel ====
During the Russo-Japanese War (5664–5665 / 1904–1905), he arranged for matzos and Passover provisions to be supplied to Jewish soldiers serving in the Russian army.<ref>''Sefer HaSichos 5702'', p. 89.</ref> In 5665 (1904–1905), he established a special committee to handle this matter, and in the summer of that year he proposed for the first time — at a conference of the Chabad Kollel — the establishment of a Chabad yeshiva in Hebron.<ref>''Chinuch LaNoar'', p. 14.</ref> The yeshiva [[Toras Emes]] was founded several years later, in 5672 (1912), in the Romono Building in Hebron.
In winter 5699 (1939), Rostov authorities planned to destroy the cemetery to build new buildings. The chassidim decided to move the ohel to another cemetery on Takucheva Street 155. The Frierdiker Rebbe approved the transfer. Instructions for handling the holy remains came from R' Levi Yitzchok Schneerson (the Rebbe's father).
[[File:אוהל הרשב.jpg|thumb|The Ohel of The Rebbe Rashab in Rostov]]
The actual transfer took place in Adar 5700 (1940) by a minyan of chassidim including: R' Tzemach Kutman, R' Mendel Kantor (the Rebbe's attendant), R' Moshe Wolf Labak, R' Nachman Lokshin, R' Avrohom Katznelson, R' Yona Eidelkop, and R' Chaim Yisroel Epstein. No monument was erected at the new cemetery. The marker for the Rebbe Rashab's resting place was a tree at his head and a mound of earth. To prevent others from being buried next to the Rebbe, the chassidim made six additional earth mounds as if others were buried there.


In 5749 (1989), with the Rebbe's approval, the monument and fence were erected by R' Dovid Nachshon and R' Avi Taub.
In 5665 (1904–1905), a rabbinical assembly was held in Vilna at which the Russian government demanded that rabbis study secular subjects. During the assembly, the Rebbe Rashab declared:


After the passing, his only son, the Frierdiker Rebbe, assumed leadership.
<blockquote>"All the nations of the earth must know this: only our bodies have been handed over to exile and to the dominion of foreign governments — but our souls have not been given over to exile or to any government's dominion. We must declare openly, for all to see, that in all matters pertaining to our faith — Torah, commandments, and Jewish customs — no authority and no coercive power may be exercised over us, the children of Israel. We must proclaim with the most resolute Jewish stubbornness, with the thousand-year Jewish willingness to sacrifice oneself: 'Do not touch My anointed ones, and do not harm My prophets!'"<ref>''Sefer HaSichos 5702'', pp. 105–106.</ref></blockquote>


== His Shluchim in Russia ==
In 5670 (1909–1910), a general rabbinical assembly was convened in Saint Petersburg by the government authorities to address fundamental questions regarding the material and civil condition of the Jewish people. Forty-two representatives of Jewish communities across Russia participated. The government sought to establish rules and regulations that ran contrary to traditional Jewish practice — foremost among them, the status of religious rabbis. When government representatives threatened that if the rabbis did not concede, pogroms would be unleashed across the country, the Rebbe Rashab responded: "We have no fear of this whatsoever, for there is no Heavenly decree for such a thing, God forbid."<ref>''Sefer HaMaamarim Kuntreisim'', p. 350.</ref>
The Rebbe Rashab sent mature or married Tomchei Tmimim graduates as his shluchim to Russian communities to strengthen Yiddishkeit.


== His Shluchim to Sefardic Jews ==
The Rebbe Rashab played an active role in the [[Beilis Trial]] — the infamous blood libel case in which Mendel Beilis was falsely accused of ritual murder — and established a special committee to defend Beilis.
The Rebbe Rashab worked among Sefardic Jews through shluchim:


* Georgia - sent R' Shmuel Levitin, R' Avrohom Levi Slavin and others
The Rebbe Rashab was one of the most prominent rabbinic leaders to oppose [[Zionism]]. He championed the publication of the book [[Ohr LaYesharim]],<ref>''Bein Galus LeGeulah'', p. 10.</ref> which presented the views of the leading Torah authorities of the generation against Zionism. He himself contributed a letter to the book, in which he wrote: "And if, God forbid, they succeed in seizing the land as they imagine, they will defile and pollute it with their abominations and wicked deeds, and will thereby prolong the duration of the exile." The Rebbe Rashab was initially among the founders of [[Agudas Yisrael]], but withdrew from it due to what he saw as its closeness to Zionism and its broad emphasis on immigration to the Land of Israel without regard to spiritual condition.<ref>The booklet ''The Founding of Agudas Yisrael''.</ref>
* Bukhara - sent R' Shlomo Yehuda Leib Eliezrov and R' Avrohom Chaim Naeh to Samarkand
* Caucasus - sent R' Shemaryahu Sasonkin


== His Picture ==
Much of his communal work was conducted in cooperation with the greatest rabbinic leaders of his era, including Rabbi [[Chaim of Brisk]], Rabbi [[Chaim Ozer Grodzinski]], and the [[Chofetz Chaim]]. With some of them he maintained ongoing written correspondence, and in a number of cases met them in person.
The Rebbe Rashab was particular about not being photographed. The only time he agreed was in 5680 (1920), near his passing, when there were plans for the Rebbe and family to travel from Rostov. For passport purposes he was photographed, which is the known picture of him.
[[File:ציור הרש''ב.png|thumb|The painting of R' Nachum Yitzchak Kaplan, which was edited by the Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka]]
The Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka noted the picture didn't capture his true appearance. Therefore R' Nachum Yitzchok Kaplan drew the Rebbe Rashab's likeness from memory wearing a shtreimel. After the Rebbetzin's corrections, she expressed satisfaction.
[[File:אולי אדמו"ר הרש"ב.png|thumb|The image that was discovered in the year 5780 (2020) with the inscription on the back "Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn 5668 (1908)"]]
In 5780 (2020), a new picture was discovered with Hebrew writing "Rabbi Shalom Dober Schneerson 5668" and in Russian "Moscow 1908". Discussion arose whether it was indeed the Rebbe Rashab or a relative.


== His Nigunim ==
== Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva ==


# Min Hametzar - on verses before shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah
{{Quote|"Our holy master the Rebbe Rashab, beyond the greatness of his holiness and the loftiness of his righteousness as the Rebbe and leader of the Chabad Chassidic community — from his early years he was known in the world of Chabad scholars as a wondrous genius in Chabad thought. The elder Chassidim would crown the Rebbe Rashab with the title 'the Rambam of Chabad teaching' — for every subject explained in his Chassidic teachings and discourses is a firmly established, precisely ordered law with all its rationale and explanation, each matter stated exactly as it should be. Every Chassidic discourse of the Rebbe Rashab is a spring of the ocean of wisdom; it is a complete tractate."|''HaTemim'', issue 6, p. 4.}}
# Brochos Before Tekios - on blessings before shofar blowing
# Verses After Tekios - on verses after shofar blowing
# Rostov Nigun - sung during his time in Rostov
# Preparation for 4 Bavos - nigun beloved to him, sung as preparation for the 4 Bavos nigun


== His Seforim ==
{{Further|Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva}}
# [[Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rashab|Igros Kodesh]] - his letters, published in six volumes
# B'Shaah Shehikdimu 5672 - long hemshech explaining core Chassidic concepts
# Sefer HaMaamarim - series of his maamarim during his leadership
# Sefer HaSichos Toras Shalom - his sichos from farbrengens during holidays
# Hagahos on Posach Eliyahu - 5658
# Kuntreisim:
#* Chanoch L'Naar - his first will
#* Kuntres U'Maayan - series on the posuk "U'maayan m'beis Hashem"
#* Kuntres HaTefillah - extensive explanation on prayer
#* Kuntres Eitz HaChaim - written for Tomchei Tmimim students
#* Kuntres HaAvodah - for Tmimim on proper avodas Hashem Also wrote an article for Ohr L'Yesharim


== His Family ==
On Sunday, 15 Elul 5657 (September 12, 1897) — in the midst of the seven days of wedding celebration for his son [[Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn]] (who would become the sixth Chabad Rebbe) — the Rebbe Rashab called a conference of fifty of the leading rabbis and prominent supporters who had gathered in Lubavitch for the wedding, and announced his decision to found the [[Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch]] yeshiva. The distinctive innovation of the yeshiva would be the formal, analytical study of Chassidic teachings alongside the standard yeshiva curriculum of Talmud and Jewish law. The students, who would be called "[[Temimim]]" (the Complete Ones), were to be centers of God-fearing men, genuine servants of God from the depths of their hearts. Two days later, on Tuesday 17 Elul, the Rebbe Rashab chose the first eighteen students of the yeshiva.
 
Three years after the yeshiva was founded, on Simchas Torah (the festival celebrating the conclusion of the annual Torah reading cycle) of 5661 (1900), the Rebbe Rashab delivered a talk to the Temimim students based on the Talmudic teaching: "All who go out to the wars of the House of David must write a conditional bill of divorce for their wives."<ref>Talmud, Kesubos 9b.</ref> In the talk he explained the mission of the Temimim students and set out additional points of the divine service required of them as "the soldiers of the House of David."
 
== His Health ==
 
The Rebbe Rashab had a frail constitution and throughout his life suffered from various illnesses. As a result, a significant portion of his life was spent traveling to health resorts and consulting with specialist physicians. In 5644 (1883–1884), he began traveling for the first time to health resorts, primarily in warm coastal regions.<ref>''Likkutei Dibburim'', vol. 1, p. 5.</ref> In 5646 (1885–1886), he traveled to the Yalta mountains — though unlike other such journeys, this time he brought his entire family with him.
 
The passing of his father, the Maharash, broke both his spirit and weakened his health. In his twenties he was compelled to leave home to consult the finest physicians at health resorts and to recuperate in restorative surroundings. With only rare exceptions, he never brought his son with him.<ref>Despite his son being his only child.</ref>
 
In Kislev of 5651 (1890), he fell ill with a severe fever for approximately two months. During the first month he was confined to his room; on 24 Tevet he emerged from his room to pray. In the summer of that year, he traveled three times (each time for five days) to the village of Mazinkes near Lubavitch for his health. After Chanukah of 5657 (1896), he was compelled to travel to Moscow for medical treatment. The doctors told him that only a few months remained of his life. As a result he contemplated immigrating to the Land of Israel, or leaving his home and relocating to a place where he could devote himself entirely to Torah study and divine service.<ref>''Sefer HaSichos 5701'', p. 173.</ref>
 
In the winter of 5663 (1903), he [[The Journey to Vienna (5663)|traveled to Vienna]] with his son Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak and met with the physician Sigmund Freud, due to a loss of sensation in his left hand. Freud administered electrical treatment to the Rebbe Rashab, and the two also engaged in extended discussion. In the course of their conversation, the Rebbe explained how to create a connection between the mind and the heart so that the mind can enrich the heart from a spiritual standpoint.<ref>Talk of the Shabbos of Torah portion Bechukosai, 5722 (1962).</ref>
 
[[File:הרשב.jpg|thumb|200px|Photograph of the Rebbe Rashab, taken shortly before his passing.]]
 
== His Final Years ==
 
=== The Move to Rostov ===
 
{{Further|The Journey to Rostov (5676)}}
 
In the month of Cheshvan 5676 (November 1915), the Rebbe Rashab left [[Lubavitch]] and moved to [[Rostov-on-Don]] as a result of [[World War I]].<ref>See: ''Ashkavta DeRabbi'', ''Toldos Admor HaRashab'', in ''B'Soch HaGolah''.</ref>
 
=== His Passing ===
 
[[File:אוהל הרשב.jpg|left|thumb|250px|The gravesite enclosure (''ohel'') of the Rebbe Rashab in [[Rostov-on-Don]]]]
 
{{Further|The Passing of the Rebbe Rashab}}
 
In the winter of 5680 (1920), the Bolsheviks captured Rostov following the long civil war that had raged across the former Russian Empire. Due to the dangers on the roads and the conditions of the occupation, the Rebbe's court was reduced in size, and the Rebbe asked that people not come to him. Prayer services and the delivery of Chassidic discourses took place in small, private gatherings.
 
At the end of the month of Adar (March 1920), the Rebbe Rashab fell ill. On the night following Shabbos, in the early hours of 2 Nissan 5680 — at four o'clock in the morning — it became apparent that these were the Rebbe Rashab's final moments. His eyes closed with an expression of spiritual devotion and his breathing grew faint. His son Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak cried out: "Tatte! Tatte!" (Yiddish: "Father! Father!") — and repeated this several times. On the final occasion, as the Rebbe Rashab stopped breathing and Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak called out again, the Rebbe opened his eyes, gazed at him, and two tears fell from his pure eyes — then his eyes closed again. The Rebbe Rashab straightened his head, arranged his hands and feet, and his holy soul ascended on high in holiness and purity.
 
{{Quote|"After the passing, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak wrote to all the Chassidim: 'In the first month, on the eve of the second day, some twenty minutes past five o'clock in the early morning, the heavens opened — the uppermost heavens — and the pure soul ascended to pour itself into the embrace of its Father. In holiness and noble serenity, our holy Master surrendered his soul to God, the God of all spirits. And the eyes of the Merciful Father were closed to me and to all my brothers, the disciples of the House of God — and in a single moment I became an orphan: I, you his students, and together with us the entire holy community.'"}}
 
After the passing, the officers of the Chevra Kadisha (the burial society) called upon several members of the Chassidic community to go to the cemetery and select an appropriate place for the Rebbe's burial. Rabbi Moshe DovBer Rivkin, Rabbi Shmuel Gourarye, Rabbi Natan Gourarye, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Gourarye, Rabbi Zalman Havlin, and Rabbi Y. Levin went and chose a site next to the house of the sun. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak came to inspect and approved the location.<ref>''Ashkavta DeRabbi''.</ref> The elder and distinguished members of the community performed the ritual preparation of the body (''tahara'') and later reported that throughout this sacred process, a kind of vitality seemed to remain on the Rebbe Rashab's pure face, with a faint smile resting on his lips. The coffin was built from the planks of the synagogue's reading table and from the Rebbe Rashab's own prayer lectern (''shtender''). The Rebbe Rashab was wrapped, in addition to the burial shrouds, in the Shabbos tallis with which he had prayed during his final days.
 
All the Jews of Rostov participated in the funeral. Before the burial, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak turned to Rabbi Avraham Baruch Pevzner, Rabbi Eliezer Krasik, and one additional Chassid, declaring them a special rabbinic court, and stated that the burial was being conducted on a conditional basis — and that he reserved the right to later transfer the holy remains to the ancestral graves in [[Lubavitch]].
 
The [[Ohel of the Rebbe Rashab|gravesite enclosure (''ohel'')]] was erected over the Rebbe Rashab's grave.<ref>See: Rabbi Moshe DovBer Rivkin, ''Ashkavta DeRabbi'' — description of the passing and funeral, pp. 99–108; Rabbi Chanoch Glitzenstein, ''Toldos Admor HaRashab'', p. 88; Rabbi Elishiv Kaplon, ''B'Soch HaGolah'' — documentation of the Rostov community; Rabbi Schneur Zalman Berger, ''HaMashpia SheLo Chazar'' — the story of Rabbi Avraham Baruch Pevzner.</ref>
 
=== Transfer of the Ohel ===
 
In the winter of 5699 (1939), the Rostov city authorities planned to demolish the cemetery in order to build on the site. The Chassidim decided to transfer the ohel to another cemetery at 155 Tokacheva Street. The sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, approved the transfer. Instructions for how to handle the transfer of the holy remains were received from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn — the father of the Rebbe [Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson].
 
The transfer was carried out in the month of Adar 5700 (1940). A quorum of ten Chassidim performed the transfer, among them: Rabbi Tzamach Kotman, Rabbi Mendel Kantor (a servant in the Rebbe's household), Rabbi Moshe Wolf Labok, Rabbi Nachman Lukshin, Rabbi Avraham Katznelson, Rabbi Yona Eidalkof, and Rabbi Chaim Yisrael Epstein.
 
At the new cemetery, no tombstone was erected over the gravesite. The marker for the Rebbe Rashab's resting place was a tree that stood at the head of the grave and a small mound of earth. To prevent others from being buried too close to the Rebbe, the Chassidim piled up six additional mounds nearby, as though others were also buried there.
 
In 5749 (1988–1989), with the approval of the Rebbe [Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson], a tombstone and fence were erected by Rabbi Dovid Nachshon and Rabbi Avi Taub.
 
Following the Rebbe Rashab's passing, his only son, [[Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn]], assumed the leadership as the sixth Chabad Rebbe.
 
== His Emissaries in Russia ==
 
The Rebbe Rashab sent senior and married graduates of the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Lubavitch as his emissaries to Jewish communities throughout Russia, in order to strengthen Jewish observance and Chassidic life in those communities.<ref>See histories of Tomchei Temimim graduates in Lubavitch and its chapters, and issues of the community journal ''HaAch''.</ref>
 
== His Emissaries to Sephardic Jewish Communities ==
 
The Rebbe Rashab also worked among Sephardic Jewish communities through dedicated emissaries:
 
*'''Georgia''' — He sent Rabbi Shmuel Levitin, Rabbi Avraham Levi Slavin, and others to Georgia.
*'''Bukhara''' — He sent Rabbi Shlomo Yehudah Leib Eliezerov and Rabbi Avraham Chaim Naeh to Samarkand in Bukhara.
*'''the Caucasus''' — He sent Rabbi Shemaryahu Sasonkin to the Caucasus region.<ref>''Toldos Chabad BeRussia HaSovietit''; ''Zachor LeAvraham''; ''Nodah BeShiurim''; [https://he.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/585288 Mountain Jews], on the Chabad.org website.</ref>
 
== His Portrait ==
 
{{Further|Portraits and Paintings of the Chabad Rebbes}}
 
[[File:ציור הרש''ב.png|left|thumb|210px|A drawing by Rabbi Nachum Yitzchak Kaplan, reviewed and approved by [[Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka]]]]
[[File:אולי אדמו"ר הרש"ב.png|thumb|200px|A photograph discovered in 5780 (2020) with the inscription on the back: "Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn, 5668 (1908)"]]
 
The Rebbe Rashab was particular about not being photographed. The only occasion on which he agreed to be photographed was in 5680 (1920), shortly before his passing, when there were plans for the Rebbe and his family to travel out of Rostov. A passport photograph was required, and the Rebbe was photographed — this is the well-known photograph of him.<ref>The Rebbe mentioned this briefly: ''Hisva'aduyos 5750'', vol. 2, p. 50, note 67: "...and conversely — when at the end of his days in Rostov he needed to travel from there, they required an official government document ('passport') to enable the journey, and then a photograph was taken — of his own will."</ref>
 
[[Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka]] — wife of the Rebbe — noted that the photograph does not faithfully capture his true appearance. As a result, Rabbi Nachum Yitzchak Kaplan drew from memory a portrait of the Rebbe Rashab's face wearing a shtreimel. After the Rebbetzin reviewed and corrected it, she expressed her satisfaction with the result.<ref>''Kfar Chabad'' weekly, issue 322, p. 33, where the drawing is also printed (p. 21). The final drawing after corrections was printed in the new edition of ''Reshimos Devorim'', p. 342.</ref>
 
In 5780 (2020), a previously unknown photograph was discovered bearing the Hebrew inscription: "Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn, 5668" — and in Russian on the postcard: "Moscow, 1908." A discussion arose as to whether this is indeed a photograph of the Rebbe Rashab or of a relative.<ref>[https://chabad.info/special/מיהו-רבי-שלום-דובער-שניאורסאהן-בתמונה/ The photograph], Chabad Info website.</ref>
 
== His Melodies ==


* His only son, R' Yosef Yitzchok - [[the Frierdiker Rebbe]]
#'''[[Min HaMeitzar (melody)|Min HaMeitzar]]''' — a melody set to the verses recited before the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, beginning with the verse "From the straits I called to God" (Psalms 118:5).<ref>Psalms 118:5.</ref>
* Granddaughter [[Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka]], the Rebbe's wife
#'''[[Blessings Before the Shofar Sounding (melody)]]''' — a melody for the blessings recited before the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah.
* Granddaughter [[Chana Gurary]]
#'''[[Verses After the Shofar Sounding (melody)]]''' — a melody for the verses recited after the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah.
* Granddaughter [[Sheina Horenstein]]
#'''[[Rostov Niggun]]''' — a melody sung in the Rebbe Rashab's household during the period of his residence in Rostov.
#'''[[Preparatory Niggun for the Four Movements]]''' — a melody beloved by the Rebbe Rashab, sung as a preparation for the famous [[Niggun of Four Movements]].


== Further Reading ==
== His Works ==


====== Early Years ======
*'''[[Igros Kodesh (Sacred Letters) of the Rebbe Rashab]]''' — his letters, published in six volumes.
*'''[[BeSha'a SheHikdimu — 5672]]''' — an extended Chassidic series (''hemshech'') in which the fundamental principles of Chassidic teaching are explained in depth.
*'''[[Sefer HaMaamarim (Rebbe Rashab)]]''' — a multi-volume series of the Chassidic discourses delivered by the Rebbe Rashab throughout his years of leadership.
*'''[[Sefer HaSichos — Toras Shalom]]''' — the informal Chassidic talks delivered by the Rebbe Rashab at gatherings during the festivals and holidays of the year.
*'''[[Glosses to the Discourse "Posach Eliyahu" — 5658]]'''.


* Secret meeting in the Tzemach Tzedek's holy room - Beis Moshiach magazine Kislev 5781
;Treatises<ref>[https://col.org.il/news/134356 The story of five treatises], COL website.</ref>
* The early years, childhood period - Kfar Chabad 1882
*'''[[Chinuch LaNoar (Treatise)|Chinuch LaNoar]]''' — a treatise containing the Rebbe Rashab's first ethical will.
* Rebbe Rashab's tenaim - Beis Moshiach 206
*'''[[Kuntres UMaayan MiBeis Hashem]]''' — a treatise containing a series of Chassidic discourses on the verse "And a spring will go forth from the house of God and water the valley of the Shittim" (Joel 4:18), explained according to Chassidic teaching.
* R' Zalman Hertzel on the Rebbe Rashab and Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah's wedding.
*'''[[Kuntres HaTefillah]]''' — a treatise with an extensive explanation of the divine service of prayer: its purpose and significance in a person's spiritual life.
*'''[[Kuntres Etz HaChaim]]''' — a treatise written by the Rebbe Rashab for the students of Tomchei Temimim, explaining the desired conduct and standards of behavior for the students.
*'''[[Kuntres HaAvodah]]''' — a treatise for the Temimim students, explaining the proper path of divine service according to Chassidic teaching.


* R' Menachem Ziegelboim on Rebbe Rashab accepting leadership - Beis Moshiach 595
He also wrote a contribution to the book [[Ohr LaYesharim]].


* R' Moshe Dober Rivkin's "Ishkavta D'Rebbi" - Documentation of final illness, passing and funeral
== His Family ==
* R' Shneur Zalman Berger, Chabad Community in Rostov - Beis Moshiach 595
* The Mashpia Who Never Returned - Passing account by R' Avrohom Boruch Pozner
* Passing and Ohel of Rebbe Rashab - Beis Moshiach 273
* Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah's letter to R' Shmuel Bezpalov about the passing
* Passing and funeral of Rebbe Rashab - Lev Ha'Ari
* R' Shneur Zalman Berger - Documentation of moving Rebbe Rashab's Ohel
* R' Menachem Ziegelboim's "Estalak Yekara" - Stories of Chabad Rebbes' passing
* R' Elishiv Kaplan's "Inside the Exile" - Jewish community in Rostov


====== Accepting the Nesius (Leadership) ======
*His only son: Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak — the [[Rebbe Rayatz]] (sixth Chabad Rebbe)
*His granddaughter: [[Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka]] — wife of the Rebbe [Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson]
*His granddaughter: [[Chana Gourarye]]
*His granddaughter: [[Sheina Hornstein]]


* Rabbi Menachem Zigelboim, "Accepting the Nesius of the Rebbe Rashab", Beis Moshiach Weekly 595
== Further Reading ==


====== Histalkus (Passing) ======
=== Early Years ===
*'''A Secret Gathering in the Holy Room of the Tzemach Tzedek''', ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue of 25 Kislev 5781, p. 34.
*Menachem Bronfman, '''The Early Years''', on his childhood, ''Kfar Chabad Weekly'', issue 1882, p. 45.
*The engagement document of the Rebbe Rashab, ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue 206.
*Rabbi Zalman Hertzel, '''Weddings of the Nesi'im''' — the chapter on the Rebbe Rashab and [[Rebbetzin Sterna Sara]].


* Rabbi Moshe Dober Rivkin, "Ashkavta D'Rebbi" - Documentation of the final illness, histalkus and levaya. Pilpulim on the conduct during the Rebbe Rashab's illness. Description of the histalkus and levaya - pages 99-108
=== Assuming the Leadership ===
* Rabbi Shneur Zalman Berger, "The Chabad Community in Rostov", Chabad in the Holocaust series, Beis Moshiach Weekly issue 595
*Rabbi Menachem Ziegelboim, '''Accepting the Leadership — the Rebbe Rashab''', ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue 595.
* "The Mashpia Who Never Returned", Rabbi Shneur Zalman Berger - Histalkus journal by Rabbi Avraham Baruch Pevzner
* "The Histalkus and Ohel of the Rebbe Rashab", Beis Moshiach Weekly 273, 2 Nissan 5760
* Letter from Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah to Rabbi Shmuel Bezpalov about the passing, Beis Moshiach Weekly 643 page 14
* "The Histalkus and Levaya of the Rebbe Rashab", Lev Ha'Ari page 62
* "Geza Chassidim", Rabbi Shneur Zalman Berger - Documentation of the relocation of the Rebbe Rashab's Ohel
* Menachem Zigelboim, "Estalak Yekara" - The story of the histalkus of Chabad Rebbeim page 175, 5773
* Rabbi Elyashiv Kaplan, "Within the Diaspora" - The Jewish Community in Rostov


====== History and Special Events ======
=== Passing ===
*Rabbi Moshe DovBer Rivkin, '''[[Ashkavta DeRabbi]]''' — a documentation of his final illness, passing, and funeral. Description of the passing and funeral: pp. 99–108.
*Rabbi Schneur Zalman Berger, '''The Chabad Community in Rostov''', Chabad in the Holocaust series, ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue 595.
*Rabbi Schneur Zalman Berger, '''The Mashpia Who Did Not Return''' — the journal of the passing, by Rabbi Avraham Baruch Pevzner.
*'''The Passing and Ohel of the Rebbe Rashab''', ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue 273, 2 Nissan 5760.
*Letter of [[Rebbetzin Sterna Sara]] to Rabbi Shmuel Bezpalof about the passing, ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue 643, p. 14.
*'''The Passing and Funeral of the Rebbe Rashab''', ''Lev HaAri'', p. 62.
*Rabbi Schneur Zalman Berger, '''Geza Chassidim''' — documentation of the transfer of the [[Ohel of the Rebbe Rashab]].
*Menachem Ziegelboim, '''Istalkei Yakira''' — the story of the passing of the Chabad Rebbes, p. 175, 5773 (2013).
*Rabbi Elishiv Kaplon, '''B'Soch HaGolah''' — the Jewish community in Rostov.


* Tishrei 5673 journal in the presence of the Rebbe Rashab, Beis Moshiach Weekly issue 200
=== Biography and Special Episodes ===
* Rabbi Shalom Dovber Levin, "History of Chabad in Czarist Russia", Kehot Publication, New York, 5770
*'''Diary of Tishrei 5673 in the Presence of the Rebbe Rashab''', ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue 200.
* Avraham Chanoch Glitzenstein, "Sefer HaToldos - Rebbe Rashab", Kehot
*Rabbi Shalom DovBer Levin, [https://chabadlibrary.org/books/arum/chabad-russia-czarit/index.htm ''History of Chabad in Tsarist Russia''], Kehot Publication Society, New York, 5770 (2010).
* Rabbi Shalom Yaakov Chazan, "The Rebbe Rashab Guides and Assists Chassidim's Parnassa", Beis Moshiach 317
*Rabbi Avraham Chanoch Glitzenstein, '''[[Sefer HaToldos]] — Admor HaRashab''', Kehot.
* Rabbi Shalom Dovber Reichman, "First-time Published Stories about the Rebbe Rashab", Beis Moshiach 317
*Rabbi Shalom Yaakov Chazan, '''The Rebbe Rashab — Guide and Helper in Supporting the Livelihood of the Chassidim''', ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue 317.
* Shneur Zalman Berger, "History of Chabad in Petersburg", Chapter 9 - The Rabbinic Conference of 5670 with the participation of the Rebbe Rashab and the Frierdiker Rebbe
*Rabbi Shalom DovBer Reichman, '''Stories Published for the First Time about the Rebbe Rashab''', ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue 317.
* Shneur Zalman Berger, "The Rabbinic Conference in Petersburg in 5670", Beis Moshiach 923
*Schneur Zalman Berger, [[History of Chabad in Saint Petersburg]], chapter 9 — The Rabbinical Conference of 5670 (1910) attended by the Rebbe Rashab and Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak.
* Shneur Zalman Berger, "Beis Chayeinu in Rostov - The Rebbe Rashab's Court in His Final Years", Beis Moshiach 1353
*Schneur Zalman Berger, '''The Rabbinical Conference in Saint Petersburg, 5670''', ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue 923.
* Yosef Yitzchak Bloy, "Tomchei Tmimim", Kehot Publication, 5772
*Schneur Zalman Berger, '''Our Home in Rostov — the Court of the Rebbe Rashab in His Final Years''', ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue 1353.
* "Heichal HaBaal Shem Tov - Heichal HaShalom" - Special issue marking 100 years since the Rebbe Rashab's histalkus - Volume 40 Year 14 (page 121 onwards), Summer 5780
*Yosef Yitzchak Bloy, '''Tomchei Temimim''', Kehot, 5772 (2012).
* "The Lubavitcher Rebbe is Har HaMoriah", Collection of 68 unknown stories about the Rebbe Rashab from Rabbi Chananya Yosef Eisenbach's notes, in Kfar Chabad Weekly issue 1882 page 37
*'''Heichal HaBaal Shem Tov — Heichal HaShalom''' — a special thematic issue of ''Heichal HaBaal Shem Tov'' marking 100 years since the Rebbe Rashab's passing, issue 40, year 14 (p. 121ff.), Summer 5780 (2020).
* "Ten Chabad Facts about the Rebbe Rashab", Beis Moshiach Weekly 2 Nissan 5780 page 37
*'''The Rebbe of Lubavitch is the Mountain of Moriah''' — a collection of 68 previously unpublished stories about the Rebbe Rashab from the notes of Rabbi Chananya Yosef Aizenbach, ''Kfar Chabad Weekly'', issue 1882, p. 37.
* "Eat the Food in Small Pieces", Collection of stories about the Rebbe Rashab for the yahrzeit by Rabbi Shalom Dovber Reichman, Beis Moshiach Weekly 2 Nissan 5780 page 36
*'''Ten Chabad Facts About the Rebbe Rashab''', ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', 2 Nissan 5780 (2020), p. 37.
* Menachem Bronpman, "Rambam of Chassidic Teachings", Comprehensive review of the Rebbe Rashab's teachings, Kfar Chabad Weekly issue 2002 page 28
*'''Eat Your Food in Small Pieces''' — a collection of stories about the Rebbe Rashab for his yahrzeit (anniversary of passing), by the storyteller Rabbi Shalom DovBer Reichman, ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', 2 Nissan 5780, p. 36.
* Ari Rubin, "Thieves at Night in the Rebbe Rashab's House", Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 1353 pages 36-41 (5783)
*Menachem Bronfman, '''The Rambam of Chassidic Teaching''' — a comprehensive survey of the Rebbe Rashab's teachings, ''Kfar Chabad Weekly'', issue 2002, p. 28.
* Zusha Wolf, "Chabad Rebbes and Georgian Jewry", Sending chassidim to Georgia for spreading Yiddishkeit, Tiferes Refael Institute Publication, Tammuz 5776
*Zusha Wolf, '''The Chabad Rebbes and Georgian Jewry''' — the dispatch of Chassidim to Georgia to spread Jewish observance, Tiferes Raphael Institute Press, Tammuz 5776 (2016).
* Zusha Wolf, "Chabad Rebbes and Bukharian Jewry", Sending chassidim to Georgia for spreading Yiddishkeit, World Congress of Bukharian Jews Publication, Menachem Av 5776
*Zusha Wolf, '''The Chabad Rebbes and Bukharan Jewry''' — the dispatch of Chassidim to Bukhara, World Congress of Bukharan Jews, Menachem Av 5776 (2016).
* Lev Leibman, "The Fifth Nasi and the Chamber of Music", Beis Moshiach Weekly issue 993 page 52
*Lev Leibman, '''The Fifth President and the Hall of Music''', ''Beis Moshiach Weekly'', issue 993, p. 52.


== External Links ==
== External Links ==
* Menachem Zigelboim, "The Four-Year-Old Groom and the Seven-Year-Old Bride" - A description of the Rebbe Rashab's shidduch, Beit Moshiach weekly magazine - (Link inactive, 28 Iyar 5783/2023)
* "I Am Ascending to Heaven" - Description and story of the final days in this physical world of the Rebbe Rashab
* Memories of the Rebbe Rashab - Written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman Berger (Link inactive, 28 Iyar 5783/2023)
* '''Holy Customs''', a collection of the Rebbe Rashab's customs (Nissan 5775/2015)
* '''Crown of Israel and Its Glory''' - Article about the Rebbe Rashab in 'HaModia' newspaper marking 100 years since his passing, Shabbat Parshat Vayikra 5780/2020 edition
* '''To Be a Lamplighter''', stations and milestones in the life of the Rebbe Rashab marking one hundred years since his passing, 'A Chassidisher Derher' magazine Nissan 5780/2020 (English)
* '''Published for the First Time: The Accurate Colored Portrait of the Rebbe Rashab''', on the 'Lachluchit Geulati' website


== References ==
== References ==
[[he:רבי שלום דובער שניאורסון (אדמו"ר הרש"ב)]]
[[he:אדמו"ר הרש"ב]]
 
[[Category:Family of the Rebbe Maharash]]
[[Category:Family of the Rebbe Rashab]]

Revision as of 21:46, 28 May 2026

Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn, the Rebbe Rashab

Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn — the Rebbe Rashab (20 Cheshvan 5621 (November 5, 1860) – 2 Nissan 5680 (March 21, 1920)) was the fifth Rebbe in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty, son of Rabbi Shmuel (the Maharash) and Rebbetzin Rivkah Schneersohn. He founded the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Lubavitch — the mother of all Chabad yeshivas worldwide. He is known as the Rambam of Chassidic Teaching — a title conferred upon him because of the extraordinary depth, breadth, and systematic precision of his Chassidic discourses, which the elder Chassidim compared to the monumental legal code of Maimonides (the Rambam) in their comprehensiveness and clarity.

Life

Childhood and Youth

The Rebbe Rashab was born on the second day of the Torah portion of Chayei Sarah, 20 Cheshvan 5621 (November 5, 1860), to his father Rabbi Shmuel Schneersohn (the Maharash) and Rebbetzin Rivkah Schneersohn, in the town of Lubavitch.

Regarding his birth, it is told that a year earlier, on 10 Kislev 5620 (1859), his mother dreamed that she saw her own mother, Chaya Sarah, and her grandfather, the Mitteler Rebbe (the second Chabad Rebbe). Her mother appeared with a joyful expression and said: "Rivkah, you and your husband should commission the writing of a Torah scroll." The Mitteler Rebbe added: "And you will have a good son — and do not forget to name him after me." Her mother continued: "Rivkah, do you hear what my father is saying to you?" — and with that the dream ended.

Nine days later, on the night of 19 Kislev — the Chabad festival of liberation — she dreamed again. This time, in addition to her mother and grandfather, an elderly man appeared. Her mother again said: "Rivkah, you and your husband should write a Torah scroll." The Mitteler Rebbe said: "And you will have a good son." The elderly man said: "Amen — so may God declare." Her mother concluded: "Grandfather, please bless her" — and the elderly man blessed her. Her mother and the Mitteler Rebbe answered "Amen" aloud, and she awoke.

She then related both dreams to her husband, the Maharash, who said that he wished the Torah scroll to be written on specially fine parchment made from the hides of ritually slaughtered kosher animals. The Tzemach Tzedek (the Maharash's father, the third Chabad Rebbe) instructed that the first writing of the Torah scroll be done privately, in the presence of his sons alone and in his own room. Less than a year later, the promised son was born and was named Shalom DovBer — after two of his grandfathers: Rabbi Shalom Shachna Altschuler and the Mitteler Rebbe, whose Hebrew name was DovBer.[1]

The bris (circumcision) was held on 26 Kislev 5621 — having been postponed from 27 Cheshvan at the Tzemach Tzedek's instruction. During the bris celebration, the Tzemach Tzedek explained the child's name according to Chassidic teaching: "Rashab — basar shavar (he who breaks down the physical body) — one must break down the coarseness of the body. And he was born on 20 Cheshvan 5621, which contains two letter kaffs, alluding to the Supernal Crown (Kesser Ila'a)."[2]

On 20 Cheshvan 5624 (1863), the Rebbe Rashab's first haircut (upsherin) was held. By the Tzemach Tzedek's instruction it was done privately. The night before, the Rebbe Rashab slept in the Tzemach Tzedek's room. When he awoke, the Tzemach Tzedek instructed his attendant, Rabbi Chaim Ber Chaimson, to pour water over the child's hands for the morning hand-washing, and then recited the morning blessings together with the child, answering "Amen" after each of his blessings. After the prayer, he called his son and daughter-in-law — the child's parents — and said to them:

"The flask of spiritual oil that our teacher the Baal Shem Tov gave to his disciple our teacher the Maggid of Mezeritch, to anoint the Alter Rebbe to the leadership of his generation for all future generations — through that power my father-in-law, the Mitteler Rebbe, was anointed; and I, through that power, anointed you, the Maharash; and through that power I hereby anoint this child."[3]

As was customary, the Rebbe Rashab was brought to the cheder (the traditional Jewish school) on the day of his upsherin, enrolled in the study hall adjacent to his grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek's room. During the enrollment celebration, the Tzemach Tzedek threw candies at the child, saying they had been thrown by the angel Michael. The child took this simply and literally, and refrained from eating the candies. On the eve of Passover, when the pockets of the children's clothes were being checked, the Tzemach Tzedek called his grandson and asked him what he had done with the candies — and the child was obliged to eat them then and there.[4]

Each day, the Rebbe Rashab would enter together with his brother Rabbi Schneur Zalman Aharon Schneersohn to visit their grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek,[5] who would engage with them warmly and inquire about their studies,[6] and regularly gave them various coins.[7] In his childhood he often played with his elder brother the Raza (Rabbi Schneur Zalman Aharon), and the Chabad tradition preserves many stories from that period. The Rebbe [Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson] regularly told these stories and drew from them practical guidance in divine service.[8]

"My son the Rashab was never a boy — even in his youth he was God-fearing, orderly, and so diligent that his conduct would be in the path of Chassidus. And by the time of his bar mitzvah he was already a Chassid engaged in structured divine service."

— Words of the Maharash about his son (Sefer HaSichos 5701, p. 27).

From the age of five, the Rebbe Rashab showed remarkable diligence in his studies.[9] By age eight he was present during the delivery of Chassidic discourses,[9] and at nine his father the Maharash began guiding him in a deeper, more inward way.[10] By the time of his bar mitzvah, he was already thoroughly versed in the entire Hebrew Bible (Tanach), all six orders of the Mishnah,[9] and the Shulchan Aruch (the standard Code of Jewish Law).[11]

By age fourteen he had committed the entire order of Nashim (the Mishnah's section dealing with family law) to memory. In 5635 (1875), he began serving as one of his father the Maharash's memorizers (chozrim) — the disciples who would commit the Rebbe's oral discourses to memory — and to write them down as transcriptions.[12]

After his marriage, the Maharash instructed his son the Rashab to eat only at a separate table of a specific size. For sixteen years the Rashab ate at that same table without knowing why. His days were filled with Torah study.[13]

Marriage

Further information: The Wedding of the Rebbe Rashab

The match between the Rebbe Rashab and his cousin Rebbetzin Sterna Sara had been proposed by their grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek when the Rashab was only four years old.

As the time of the wedding approached, the Maharash instructed his son the groom to be examined and receive rabbinical ordination (semicha), as was the custom of the Rebbe's household. The Maharash wished for the wedding to take place in the town that represented the sacred Jerusalem of the exile — in Lubavitch. In practice, due to various circumstances, this did not come to pass, and the wedding was held in the town where the bride resided: Avrutch.[14]

On the evening following Shabbos, the Torah portion of Teitzei, 11 Elul 5635 (September 10, 1875), the wedding took place in the city of Avrutch. The plan was for the groom and bride together with Rebbetzin Rivkah Schneersohn to return immediately after the wedding to Lubavitch — but due to an unexpected delay, they arrived in Lubavitch only on Saturday night.

The groom's father, the Maharash, did not attend the wedding due to his health,[15] though his wife Rebbetzin Rivkah traveled with the groom to the wedding. A week before the wedding, on Sunday 5 Elul, the Maharash traveled out to accompany his son as far as the village of Ochremovo. There he delivered a Chassidic discourse and shared wondrous teachings. When he finished the discourse, he said to his son the groom: "What is now being revealed is the dimension of Mochin d'Imma (the intellectual faculty of Understanding) — and therefore the mother of the groom is traveling along. But in the future era, when Mochin d'Abba (the intellectual faculty of Wisdom) will be revealed, I myself will be there."

The Maharash told his son not to wear the traditional fur hat (shtreimel) at his wedding, and in general to wear it only in Lubavitch. In the carriage there was a box containing a feathered hat — a gift from the groom and his mother to the bride. The Maharash asked for the hat and removed its feather.

The Maharash's wish was that the groom and bride and all those accompanying them return to Lubavitch immediately after the wedding, so that at the very least he could celebrate the Shabbos of the Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachos) with them. However, the bride's father attempted to keep them with him longer. As a result, they left Avrutch later than planned and could not arrive in Lubavitch before Shabbos, arriving only on Saturday night. Upon his return, the Maharash said to him: "I have greetings for you from Father (the Tzemach Tzedek), from Grandfather (the Mitteler Rebbe), and from the grandfather's father (the Alter Rebbe) — with an understanding heart."

Despite the groom's absence, the Maharash was in a state of extraordinary, transcendent joy throughout all seven days of the wedding celebration, and delivered no fewer than thirty-two Chassidic discourses. On the Shabbos of the Seven Blessings, the Rebbe led Chassidic gatherings (farbrengens) three times.

Assuming the Leadership

A map of the town of Lubavitch, where the Rebbe Rashab served as Rebbe.
Further information: The Upheaval in Lubavitch

On 13 Tishrei 5643 (September 26, 1882), the Maharash — the Rebbe Rashab's father — passed away. This affected him profoundly. The process by which the Rebbe Rashab came to formally accept the leadership stretched over approximately eleven years.[16]

Several days after the passing, on the second day of Sukkos — 16 Tishrei — the Rebbe Rashab delivered a Chassidic discourse beginning with the words Keser Yitnu Lecha ("A crown they shall give You").[17] On Chanukah he delivered another discourse. Both discourses were copied and sent to Chassidim, who received them with great joy. Among Chabad Rebbes, the delivery of a Chassidic discourse publicly serves as the signal of accepting the leadership.

During the year of mourning, the Rebbe Rashab followed an extraordinary pattern of conduct. He prayed in his father's room; after prayer he would lock the door and remain there all day — eating, studying, and sleeping in that room. He refused to receive anyone and did not answer questions or requests for guidance. He devoted all his time to prayer and Torah study, and was entirely occupied with inward spiritual work and self-examination.[18] During that year and in the years that followed, he traveled several times to other cities and distant regions for the sake of his health.

In 5650 (1889–1890), the Rebbe Rashab began accepting people for private audiences (yechidus) on a temporary basis. On Rosh Hashanah of 5654 (1893), he also began praying in his father's established place, formally receiving Chassidim for private audiences on a regular basis, and answering their written questions. He also began distributing his Chassidic discourses so that Chassidim could copy, circulate, and study them.[19]

The Chabad Chassidic community felt strongly that the Rebbe Rashab should accept the leadership formally and completely. On one occasion, Rabbi Gershon DovBer of Nevel said to the Rebbe Rashab regarding his reluctance to accept the leadership: "The Alter Rebbe kindled the light of Chassidus — and you wish to extinguish it?" When the Rebbe Rashab heard this, he burst into tears. After many entreaties, he agreed to formally and fully accept the leadership.

His Teachings

The Rebbe Rashab is called "the Rambam of Chassidus" — a title referring to the great medieval codifier Maimonides — because, like Maimonides, his discourses present complex subjects in a systematic, thorough, and carefully organized manner, with every concept explained in its own right, with full reasoning and clarity. His discourses were published over the years in multiple volumes.

His sacred letters (igros) were published in a six-volume collection.

Transmission of the Discourses

The Rebbe Rashab would deliver Chassidic discourses on Friday nights, Shabbos, festivals, and other special occasions. After the team of memorizers (chozrim) had carefully committed the discourse to memory throughout the night, the transcribers (mani'achim — those who recorded the discourse in writing) would enter the Rebbe's presence the following morning and repeat the discourse before him. He would then correct their errors and explain deeper layers of the teaching.

The memorizers who served the Rebbe Rashab included:

  • Rabbi Meshulam Yedidya Kuratin (known as "Rabbi Shilem") — who served as the lead memorizer
  • Rabbi Yisrael Noach "the Small" Hatzkevietz
  • Rabbi Eliyahu Yechiel Simpson
  • Rabbi Mordechai Chefetz
  • Rabbi Alter Simchovitch
  • Rabbi Moshe Rozenblat (known as "Rabbi Moshe the Memorizer")
  • Rabbi Yaakov Landa

Communal Leadership

Throughout his tenure as Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom DovBer worked extensively to improve both the material and spiritual condition of Jews in general, and of Russian Jewry in particular.

He first became involved in communal advocacy in 5640 (1879–1880), keeping his father the Maharash informed about decrees being enacted against Jews in Russia.[12] In 5652 (1891–1892), the Russian government decided to expel all Jews from Moscow. The Rebbe Rashab attempted by various means to annul the decree but was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, when the expulsion was carried out, he worked to resettle the Jews of Moscow in appropriate locations.

In 5655 (1894–1895), he became more deeply involved in communal advocacy, particularly in strengthening the Chabad Kollel in the Land of Israel.[20] In 5657 (1896–1897), he began fighting the establishment of schools by the Society for the Promotion of Enlightenment (the Haskalah movement), and tried to prevent a school being opened in Lubavitch itself, by approaching Baron Naftali Hertz Ginsburg.[21] After the school had already been established, he fought to prevent public funding from being allocated to it.[22]

In 5662 (1901–1902), he established a weaving and spinning factory in Dobrovna to employ Jews, and sought support from the Jewish organization ICA to fund the enterprise.

During the Russo-Japanese War (5664–5665 / 1904–1905), he arranged for matzos and Passover provisions to be supplied to Jewish soldiers serving in the Russian army.[23] In 5665 (1904–1905), he established a special committee to handle this matter, and in the summer of that year he proposed for the first time — at a conference of the Chabad Kollel — the establishment of a Chabad yeshiva in Hebron.[24] The yeshiva Toras Emes was founded several years later, in 5672 (1912), in the Romono Building in Hebron.

In 5665 (1904–1905), a rabbinical assembly was held in Vilna at which the Russian government demanded that rabbis study secular subjects. During the assembly, the Rebbe Rashab declared:

"All the nations of the earth must know this: only our bodies have been handed over to exile and to the dominion of foreign governments — but our souls have not been given over to exile or to any government's dominion. We must declare openly, for all to see, that in all matters pertaining to our faith — Torah, commandments, and Jewish customs — no authority and no coercive power may be exercised over us, the children of Israel. We must proclaim with the most resolute Jewish stubbornness, with the thousand-year Jewish willingness to sacrifice oneself: 'Do not touch My anointed ones, and do not harm My prophets!'"[25]

In 5670 (1909–1910), a general rabbinical assembly was convened in Saint Petersburg by the government authorities to address fundamental questions regarding the material and civil condition of the Jewish people. Forty-two representatives of Jewish communities across Russia participated. The government sought to establish rules and regulations that ran contrary to traditional Jewish practice — foremost among them, the status of religious rabbis. When government representatives threatened that if the rabbis did not concede, pogroms would be unleashed across the country, the Rebbe Rashab responded: "We have no fear of this whatsoever, for there is no Heavenly decree for such a thing, God forbid."[26]

The Rebbe Rashab played an active role in the Beilis Trial — the infamous blood libel case in which Mendel Beilis was falsely accused of ritual murder — and established a special committee to defend Beilis.

The Rebbe Rashab was one of the most prominent rabbinic leaders to oppose Zionism. He championed the publication of the book Ohr LaYesharim,[27] which presented the views of the leading Torah authorities of the generation against Zionism. He himself contributed a letter to the book, in which he wrote: "And if, God forbid, they succeed in seizing the land as they imagine, they will defile and pollute it with their abominations and wicked deeds, and will thereby prolong the duration of the exile." The Rebbe Rashab was initially among the founders of Agudas Yisrael, but withdrew from it due to what he saw as its closeness to Zionism and its broad emphasis on immigration to the Land of Israel without regard to spiritual condition.[28]

Much of his communal work was conducted in cooperation with the greatest rabbinic leaders of his era, including Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, and the Chofetz Chaim. With some of them he maintained ongoing written correspondence, and in a number of cases met them in person.

Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva

"Our holy master the Rebbe Rashab, beyond the greatness of his holiness and the loftiness of his righteousness as the Rebbe and leader of the Chabad Chassidic community — from his early years he was known in the world of Chabad scholars as a wondrous genius in Chabad thought. The elder Chassidim would crown the Rebbe Rashab with the title 'the Rambam of Chabad teaching' — for every subject explained in his Chassidic teachings and discourses is a firmly established, precisely ordered law with all its rationale and explanation, each matter stated exactly as it should be. Every Chassidic discourse of the Rebbe Rashab is a spring of the ocean of wisdom; it is a complete tractate."

— HaTemim, issue 6, p. 4.
Further information: Tomchei Temimim Yeshiva

On Sunday, 15 Elul 5657 (September 12, 1897) — in the midst of the seven days of wedding celebration for his son Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (who would become the sixth Chabad Rebbe) — the Rebbe Rashab called a conference of fifty of the leading rabbis and prominent supporters who had gathered in Lubavitch for the wedding, and announced his decision to found the Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch yeshiva. The distinctive innovation of the yeshiva would be the formal, analytical study of Chassidic teachings alongside the standard yeshiva curriculum of Talmud and Jewish law. The students, who would be called "Temimim" (the Complete Ones), were to be centers of God-fearing men, genuine servants of God from the depths of their hearts. Two days later, on Tuesday 17 Elul, the Rebbe Rashab chose the first eighteen students of the yeshiva.

Three years after the yeshiva was founded, on Simchas Torah (the festival celebrating the conclusion of the annual Torah reading cycle) of 5661 (1900), the Rebbe Rashab delivered a talk to the Temimim students based on the Talmudic teaching: "All who go out to the wars of the House of David must write a conditional bill of divorce for their wives."[29] In the talk he explained the mission of the Temimim students and set out additional points of the divine service required of them as "the soldiers of the House of David."

His Health

The Rebbe Rashab had a frail constitution and throughout his life suffered from various illnesses. As a result, a significant portion of his life was spent traveling to health resorts and consulting with specialist physicians. In 5644 (1883–1884), he began traveling for the first time to health resorts, primarily in warm coastal regions.[30] In 5646 (1885–1886), he traveled to the Yalta mountains — though unlike other such journeys, this time he brought his entire family with him.

The passing of his father, the Maharash, broke both his spirit and weakened his health. In his twenties he was compelled to leave home to consult the finest physicians at health resorts and to recuperate in restorative surroundings. With only rare exceptions, he never brought his son with him.[31]

In Kislev of 5651 (1890), he fell ill with a severe fever for approximately two months. During the first month he was confined to his room; on 24 Tevet he emerged from his room to pray. In the summer of that year, he traveled three times (each time for five days) to the village of Mazinkes near Lubavitch for his health. After Chanukah of 5657 (1896), he was compelled to travel to Moscow for medical treatment. The doctors told him that only a few months remained of his life. As a result he contemplated immigrating to the Land of Israel, or leaving his home and relocating to a place where he could devote himself entirely to Torah study and divine service.[32]

In the winter of 5663 (1903), he traveled to Vienna with his son Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak and met with the physician Sigmund Freud, due to a loss of sensation in his left hand. Freud administered electrical treatment to the Rebbe Rashab, and the two also engaged in extended discussion. In the course of their conversation, the Rebbe explained how to create a connection between the mind and the heart so that the mind can enrich the heart from a spiritual standpoint.[33]

Photograph of the Rebbe Rashab, taken shortly before his passing.

His Final Years

The Move to Rostov

Further information: The Journey to Rostov (5676)

In the month of Cheshvan 5676 (November 1915), the Rebbe Rashab left Lubavitch and moved to Rostov-on-Don as a result of World War I.[34]

His Passing

The gravesite enclosure (ohel) of the Rebbe Rashab in Rostov-on-Don
Further information: The Passing of the Rebbe Rashab

In the winter of 5680 (1920), the Bolsheviks captured Rostov following the long civil war that had raged across the former Russian Empire. Due to the dangers on the roads and the conditions of the occupation, the Rebbe's court was reduced in size, and the Rebbe asked that people not come to him. Prayer services and the delivery of Chassidic discourses took place in small, private gatherings.

At the end of the month of Adar (March 1920), the Rebbe Rashab fell ill. On the night following Shabbos, in the early hours of 2 Nissan 5680 — at four o'clock in the morning — it became apparent that these were the Rebbe Rashab's final moments. His eyes closed with an expression of spiritual devotion and his breathing grew faint. His son Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak cried out: "Tatte! Tatte!" (Yiddish: "Father! Father!") — and repeated this several times. On the final occasion, as the Rebbe Rashab stopped breathing and Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak called out again, the Rebbe opened his eyes, gazed at him, and two tears fell from his pure eyes — then his eyes closed again. The Rebbe Rashab straightened his head, arranged his hands and feet, and his holy soul ascended on high in holiness and purity.

"After the passing, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak wrote to all the Chassidim: 'In the first month, on the eve of the second day, some twenty minutes past five o'clock in the early morning, the heavens opened — the uppermost heavens — and the pure soul ascended to pour itself into the embrace of its Father. In holiness and noble serenity, our holy Master surrendered his soul to God, the God of all spirits. And the eyes of the Merciful Father were closed to me and to all my brothers, the disciples of the House of God — and in a single moment I became an orphan: I, you his students, and together with us the entire holy community.'"

After the passing, the officers of the Chevra Kadisha (the burial society) called upon several members of the Chassidic community to go to the cemetery and select an appropriate place for the Rebbe's burial. Rabbi Moshe DovBer Rivkin, Rabbi Shmuel Gourarye, Rabbi Natan Gourarye, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Gourarye, Rabbi Zalman Havlin, and Rabbi Y. Levin went and chose a site next to the house of the sun. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak came to inspect and approved the location.[35] The elder and distinguished members of the community performed the ritual preparation of the body (tahara) and later reported that throughout this sacred process, a kind of vitality seemed to remain on the Rebbe Rashab's pure face, with a faint smile resting on his lips. The coffin was built from the planks of the synagogue's reading table and from the Rebbe Rashab's own prayer lectern (shtender). The Rebbe Rashab was wrapped, in addition to the burial shrouds, in the Shabbos tallis with which he had prayed during his final days.

All the Jews of Rostov participated in the funeral. Before the burial, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak turned to Rabbi Avraham Baruch Pevzner, Rabbi Eliezer Krasik, and one additional Chassid, declaring them a special rabbinic court, and stated that the burial was being conducted on a conditional basis — and that he reserved the right to later transfer the holy remains to the ancestral graves in Lubavitch.

The gravesite enclosure (ohel) was erected over the Rebbe Rashab's grave.[36]

Transfer of the Ohel

In the winter of 5699 (1939), the Rostov city authorities planned to demolish the cemetery in order to build on the site. The Chassidim decided to transfer the ohel to another cemetery at 155 Tokacheva Street. The sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak, approved the transfer. Instructions for how to handle the transfer of the holy remains were received from Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn — the father of the Rebbe [Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson].

The transfer was carried out in the month of Adar 5700 (1940). A quorum of ten Chassidim performed the transfer, among them: Rabbi Tzamach Kotman, Rabbi Mendel Kantor (a servant in the Rebbe's household), Rabbi Moshe Wolf Labok, Rabbi Nachman Lukshin, Rabbi Avraham Katznelson, Rabbi Yona Eidalkof, and Rabbi Chaim Yisrael Epstein.

At the new cemetery, no tombstone was erected over the gravesite. The marker for the Rebbe Rashab's resting place was a tree that stood at the head of the grave and a small mound of earth. To prevent others from being buried too close to the Rebbe, the Chassidim piled up six additional mounds nearby, as though others were also buried there.

In 5749 (1988–1989), with the approval of the Rebbe [Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson], a tombstone and fence were erected by Rabbi Dovid Nachshon and Rabbi Avi Taub.

Following the Rebbe Rashab's passing, his only son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, assumed the leadership as the sixth Chabad Rebbe.

His Emissaries in Russia

The Rebbe Rashab sent senior and married graduates of the Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Lubavitch as his emissaries to Jewish communities throughout Russia, in order to strengthen Jewish observance and Chassidic life in those communities.[37]

His Emissaries to Sephardic Jewish Communities

The Rebbe Rashab also worked among Sephardic Jewish communities through dedicated emissaries:

  • Georgia — He sent Rabbi Shmuel Levitin, Rabbi Avraham Levi Slavin, and others to Georgia.
  • Bukhara — He sent Rabbi Shlomo Yehudah Leib Eliezerov and Rabbi Avraham Chaim Naeh to Samarkand in Bukhara.
  • the Caucasus — He sent Rabbi Shemaryahu Sasonkin to the Caucasus region.[38]

His Portrait

Further information: Portraits and Paintings of the Chabad Rebbes
A drawing by Rabbi Nachum Yitzchak Kaplan, reviewed and approved by Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka
A photograph discovered in 5780 (2020) with the inscription on the back: "Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn, 5668 (1908)"

The Rebbe Rashab was particular about not being photographed. The only occasion on which he agreed to be photographed was in 5680 (1920), shortly before his passing, when there were plans for the Rebbe and his family to travel out of Rostov. A passport photograph was required, and the Rebbe was photographed — this is the well-known photograph of him.[39]

Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka — wife of the Rebbe — noted that the photograph does not faithfully capture his true appearance. As a result, Rabbi Nachum Yitzchak Kaplan drew from memory a portrait of the Rebbe Rashab's face wearing a shtreimel. After the Rebbetzin reviewed and corrected it, she expressed her satisfaction with the result.[40]

In 5780 (2020), a previously unknown photograph was discovered bearing the Hebrew inscription: "Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn, 5668" — and in Russian on the postcard: "Moscow, 1908." A discussion arose as to whether this is indeed a photograph of the Rebbe Rashab or of a relative.[41]

His Melodies

  1. Min HaMeitzar — a melody set to the verses recited before the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, beginning with the verse "From the straits I called to God" (Psalms 118:5).[42]
  2. Blessings Before the Shofar Sounding (melody) — a melody for the blessings recited before the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah.
  3. Verses After the Shofar Sounding (melody) — a melody for the verses recited after the sounding of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah.
  4. Rostov Niggun — a melody sung in the Rebbe Rashab's household during the period of his residence in Rostov.
  5. Preparatory Niggun for the Four Movements — a melody beloved by the Rebbe Rashab, sung as a preparation for the famous Niggun of Four Movements.

His Works

Treatises[43]
  • Chinuch LaNoar — a treatise containing the Rebbe Rashab's first ethical will.
  • Kuntres UMaayan MiBeis Hashem — a treatise containing a series of Chassidic discourses on the verse "And a spring will go forth from the house of God and water the valley of the Shittim" (Joel 4:18), explained according to Chassidic teaching.
  • Kuntres HaTefillah — a treatise with an extensive explanation of the divine service of prayer: its purpose and significance in a person's spiritual life.
  • Kuntres Etz HaChaim — a treatise written by the Rebbe Rashab for the students of Tomchei Temimim, explaining the desired conduct and standards of behavior for the students.
  • Kuntres HaAvodah — a treatise for the Temimim students, explaining the proper path of divine service according to Chassidic teaching.

He also wrote a contribution to the book Ohr LaYesharim.

His Family

Further Reading

Early Years

  • A Secret Gathering in the Holy Room of the Tzemach Tzedek, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue of 25 Kislev 5781, p. 34.
  • Menachem Bronfman, The Early Years, on his childhood, Kfar Chabad Weekly, issue 1882, p. 45.
  • The engagement document of the Rebbe Rashab, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 206.
  • Rabbi Zalman Hertzel, Weddings of the Nesi'im — the chapter on the Rebbe Rashab and Rebbetzin Sterna Sara.

Assuming the Leadership

  • Rabbi Menachem Ziegelboim, Accepting the Leadership — the Rebbe Rashab, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 595.

Passing

  • Rabbi Moshe DovBer Rivkin, Ashkavta DeRabbi — a documentation of his final illness, passing, and funeral. Description of the passing and funeral: pp. 99–108.
  • Rabbi Schneur Zalman Berger, The Chabad Community in Rostov, Chabad in the Holocaust series, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 595.
  • Rabbi Schneur Zalman Berger, The Mashpia Who Did Not Return — the journal of the passing, by Rabbi Avraham Baruch Pevzner.
  • The Passing and Ohel of the Rebbe Rashab, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 273, 2 Nissan 5760.
  • Letter of Rebbetzin Sterna Sara to Rabbi Shmuel Bezpalof about the passing, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 643, p. 14.
  • The Passing and Funeral of the Rebbe Rashab, Lev HaAri, p. 62.
  • Rabbi Schneur Zalman Berger, Geza Chassidim — documentation of the transfer of the Ohel of the Rebbe Rashab.
  • Menachem Ziegelboim, Istalkei Yakira — the story of the passing of the Chabad Rebbes, p. 175, 5773 (2013).
  • Rabbi Elishiv Kaplon, B'Soch HaGolah — the Jewish community in Rostov.

Biography and Special Episodes

  • Diary of Tishrei 5673 in the Presence of the Rebbe Rashab, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 200.
  • Rabbi Shalom DovBer Levin, History of Chabad in Tsarist Russia, Kehot Publication Society, New York, 5770 (2010).
  • Rabbi Avraham Chanoch Glitzenstein, Sefer HaToldos — Admor HaRashab, Kehot.
  • Rabbi Shalom Yaakov Chazan, The Rebbe Rashab — Guide and Helper in Supporting the Livelihood of the Chassidim, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 317.
  • Rabbi Shalom DovBer Reichman, Stories Published for the First Time about the Rebbe Rashab, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 317.
  • Schneur Zalman Berger, History of Chabad in Saint Petersburg, chapter 9 — The Rabbinical Conference of 5670 (1910) attended by the Rebbe Rashab and Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak.
  • Schneur Zalman Berger, The Rabbinical Conference in Saint Petersburg, 5670, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 923.
  • Schneur Zalman Berger, Our Home in Rostov — the Court of the Rebbe Rashab in His Final Years, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 1353.
  • Yosef Yitzchak Bloy, Tomchei Temimim, Kehot, 5772 (2012).
  • Heichal HaBaal Shem Tov — Heichal HaShalom — a special thematic issue of Heichal HaBaal Shem Tov marking 100 years since the Rebbe Rashab's passing, issue 40, year 14 (p. 121ff.), Summer 5780 (2020).
  • The Rebbe of Lubavitch is the Mountain of Moriah — a collection of 68 previously unpublished stories about the Rebbe Rashab from the notes of Rabbi Chananya Yosef Aizenbach, Kfar Chabad Weekly, issue 1882, p. 37.
  • Ten Chabad Facts About the Rebbe Rashab, Beis Moshiach Weekly, 2 Nissan 5780 (2020), p. 37.
  • Eat Your Food in Small Pieces — a collection of stories about the Rebbe Rashab for his yahrzeit (anniversary of passing), by the storyteller Rabbi Shalom DovBer Reichman, Beis Moshiach Weekly, 2 Nissan 5780, p. 36.
  • Menachem Bronfman, The Rambam of Chassidic Teaching — a comprehensive survey of the Rebbe Rashab's teachings, Kfar Chabad Weekly, issue 2002, p. 28.
  • Zusha Wolf, The Chabad Rebbes and Georgian Jewry — the dispatch of Chassidim to Georgia to spread Jewish observance, Tiferes Raphael Institute Press, Tammuz 5776 (2016).
  • Zusha Wolf, The Chabad Rebbes and Bukharan Jewry — the dispatch of Chassidim to Bukhara, World Congress of Bukharan Jews, Menachem Av 5776 (2016).
  • Lev Leibman, The Fifth President and the Hall of Music, Beis Moshiach Weekly, issue 993, p. 52.

External Links

References

  1. ↑ HaTemim, issue 3.
  2. ↑ HaTemim, issue 3, pp. 28–30.
  3. ↑ Sefer HaMaamarim 5710, p. 163.
  4. ↑ Chinuch LaNoar, p. 8.
  5. ↑ Sefer HaSichos Summer 5700, p. 99.
  6. ↑ Sefer HaMaamarim 5701, p. 30.
  7. ↑ Photograph of a coin received, and details about receiving coins from the Tzemach Tzedek, Kedem Auction House.
  8. ↑ See for example the talk of Motzaei Yom Tov Sukkos 5711, and Hisva'aduyos 5742 vol. 1 p. 313; 5747 vol. 2 p. 304; 5749 vol. 2 p. 431.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Chinuch LaNoar, p. 9.
  10. ↑ Sefer HaMaamarim 5710, p. 165.
  11. ↑ Sefer HaSichos 5703, p. 64.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Chinuch LaNoar, p. 10.
  13. ↑ On Shabbos, the Rebbe Rashab would rise at 3:00 a.m., and on weekdays at 4:00 a.m. He would study Chassidic teachings and pray until 10:00 a.m. He would then study the revealed dimension of Torah law together with his brother Rabbi Schneur Zalman Aharon and with Rabbi Shalom of Kadin until 2:00 p.m., and again from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. On Shabbos he would study the Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim and review the Mishnah from memory, though the main body of his study was Chassidic teachings and Kabbalah. On Friday nights he would customarily enter his father's room before the evening prayer. On Friday afternoons and Saturday nights he generally remained awake, immersed in study and deep contemplation of Torah law or Chassidic teaching. On Wednesday mornings his father would often share with him in a private audience (yechidus) an explanation of the Chassidic discourse that had been delivered the previous Shabbos.
  14. ↑ Sefer HaToldos Admor HaMaharash, p. 72.
  15. ↑ HaTemim, vol. 2, pp. 45–46.
  16. ↑ In the book Beis Rebbi it is written that the Rebbe Rashab declined the leadership on the grounds that his elder brother Rabbi Schneur Zalman Aharon (the Raza) should fill his father's place. The Raza, however, firmly refused.
  17. ↑ See the talk of 20 Marcheshvan 5743, Hisva'aduyos vol. 1, p. 473.
  18. ↑ From the diary of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (the sixth Chabad Rebbe).
  19. ↑ In the introduction to the Luach HaYom Yom calendar, the Rebbe [Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson] reckons the beginning of the Rashab's leadership from the day of his father the Maharash's passing. See the talk of 20 Marcheshvan 5743 at length, Hisva'aduyos vol. 1, pp. 469ff.
  20. ↑ Chinuch LaNoar, p. 13.
  21. ↑ Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rashab, vol. 1, letters 72–73.
  22. ↑ Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rashab, vol. 3, letter 660.
  23. ↑ Sefer HaSichos 5702, p. 89.
  24. ↑ Chinuch LaNoar, p. 14.
  25. ↑ Sefer HaSichos 5702, pp. 105–106.
  26. ↑ Sefer HaMaamarim Kuntreisim, p. 350.
  27. ↑ Bein Galus LeGeulah, p. 10.
  28. ↑ The booklet The Founding of Agudas Yisrael.
  29. ↑ Talmud, Kesubos 9b.
  30. ↑ Likkutei Dibburim, vol. 1, p. 5.
  31. ↑ Despite his son being his only child.
  32. ↑ Sefer HaSichos 5701, p. 173.
  33. ↑ Talk of the Shabbos of Torah portion Bechukosai, 5722 (1962).
  34. ↑ See: Ashkavta DeRabbi, Toldos Admor HaRashab, in B'Soch HaGolah.
  35. ↑ Ashkavta DeRabbi.
  36. ↑ See: Rabbi Moshe DovBer Rivkin, Ashkavta DeRabbi — description of the passing and funeral, pp. 99–108; Rabbi Chanoch Glitzenstein, Toldos Admor HaRashab, p. 88; Rabbi Elishiv Kaplon, B'Soch HaGolah — documentation of the Rostov community; Rabbi Schneur Zalman Berger, HaMashpia SheLo Chazar — the story of Rabbi Avraham Baruch Pevzner.
  37. ↑ See histories of Tomchei Temimim graduates in Lubavitch and its chapters, and issues of the community journal HaAch.
  38. ↑ Toldos Chabad BeRussia HaSovietit; Zachor LeAvraham; Nodah BeShiurim; Mountain Jews, on the Chabad.org website.
  39. ↑ The Rebbe mentioned this briefly: Hisva'aduyos 5750, vol. 2, p. 50, note 67: "...and conversely — when at the end of his days in Rostov he needed to travel from there, they required an official government document ('passport') to enable the journey, and then a photograph was taken — of his own will."
  40. ↑ Kfar Chabad weekly, issue 322, p. 33, where the drawing is also printed (p. 21). The final drawing after corrections was printed in the new edition of Reshimos Devorim, p. 342.
  41. ↑ The photograph, Chabad Info website.
  42. ↑ Psalms 118:5.
  43. ↑ The story of five treatises, COL website.
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