Moshe Shneuri: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox person

|name=Rabbi Moshe Schneuri

|image=הגהות הצצ להנחה.jpg

|caption=A hanacha (transcription of an oral discourse) in Rabbi Moshe's handwriting, with marginal glosses by the [[Tzemach Tzedek]]<ref>See regarding his transcriptions [http://chabad.info/news/ספר-היסטורי-תולדות-רבי-משה-בן-אדמור-הז/ here] and [http://chabad.info/news/בלעדי-פרק-מתוך-הספר-על-רבי-משה-בן-אדמור/ here].</ref>

|birth_date=Tammuz 5539 / 5544

|death_date=Between 5615 and 5631

|father=[[Alter Rebbe]]

|other_roles=Rabbi of [[Olle]]

Rabbi '''Moshe Schneuri''' (Tammuz 5539 / 5544 – before 5630<ref>According to one version he passed away in Sivan 5638 (Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, letter 1,881 — 9 Cheshvan 5703).</ref>) was a son of the [[Alter Rebbe]] and the rabbi of the town of [[Olle]]. He was forcibly arrested and subjected to attempts to compel him to convert to Christianity, but escaped from his captors and spent the rest of his days wandering from place to place.

== Biography ==

Moshe was born — the youngest of his siblings — to his father the [[Alter Rebbe]] and his mother [[Rebbetzin Sterna]] in Tammuz 5539 (summer 1779),<ref>[https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=19806&st=&pgnum=158 Sefer HaSichos of the Rebbe Rayatz], discourse of 27 Sivan, §6.</ref> though other versions give the date as Adar 5540<ref>Divrei Yemei Chaim Admur HaZaken, p. 50, note 26.</ref> or the year 5544 in [[Lyozna]].<ref name=rayatz>Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, vol. 7, p. 16.</ref><ref>There is also a version placing his birth in 5549 (Bataon Chabad, Shevat 5733, issue 19–20, p. 40, note 26).</ref> His bris (circumcision) was performed by a hidden tzaddik (a righteous person who conceals his identity) who called himself "Betzalel the Shepherd," and he was named for his paternal great-great-grandfather, Rabbi [[Moshe of Pozna]].<ref>Divrei Yemei Chaim K"K Admur HaZaken, p. 51.</ref> It is told that for the twelve years preceding his birth the Alter Rebbe had lived in a state of ascetic withdrawal.<ref>Migdal Oz, Rabbi Yehoshua Mondshine, in the section Maaseh Avosai, §41.</ref>

In his childhood, Rabbi [[Shlomo of Karlin]] and Rabbi [[Baruch of Mezhibuzh]] visited the Alter Rebbe. Over the course of a conversation lasting several hours they told him that the Chevra Kadisha (a reference here to a select circle of leading tzaddikim) had resolved to place a cherem (rabbinic ban of excommunication) on the [[Vilna Gaon]], and that in seeking heavenly guidance on the matter they had been told that one of those issuing the cherem would need to be exceptionally sharp in Nigleh (conventional Talmudic scholarship) — and so they had come to ask the Alter Rebbe to join them. The Alter Rebbe refused, explaining that excommunication severs the condemned soul from its heavenly root, and that this could cause the Gaon to fall into heresy — which, were it to happen to the Vilna Gaon, would constitute a severe desecration of G‑d's name. In response, Rabbi Shlomo pointed to the young Moshe, who was playing in the room, and said: "He will bring you a desecration of G‑d's name."<ref>Based on Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, vol. 14, p. 166, and the chronicle of the Alter Rebbe's life. The Rebbe Rayatz's chronicle records that the Alter Rebbe responded to Rabbi Shlomo's sharp words: "G‑d will not hear it, and salvation belongs to G‑d" (see Otzar Sipurei Chabad, vol. 4, p. 298). According to another version (cited in the book Lemaan Yeid'u Banim Yivaledu, p. 258), Rabbi Shlomo spoke in general terms, saying that "the Alter Rebbe's descendants will bring him a desecration of G‑d's name," to which the Alter Rebbe replied that even if so, he was assured that it would not occur in his lifetime, and that they would do teshuvah. See also Nitzotzei Ohr (Weingarten), p. 172, §139, and note 173 there, and note 36 below.</ref>

At the age of eight Moshe suffered a neurological illness and was taken to [[St. Petersburg]] for treatment by leading physicians. At his bar mitzvah, the Alter Rebbe repeated one of the three discourses that appear in the Siddur in the section "Shaar HaTefillin."<ref>Sefer HaSichos 5696, p. 113.</ref>

His father engaged Rabbi Eliyahu Reuven as his personal tutor.<ref>Sefer HaSichos 5700, p. 54.</ref> He also studied Russian and French with Rabbi [[Moshe Meizlish]],<ref>Divrei Yemei Chaim Admur HaZaken, p. 157.</ref> and additionally learned with his father directly.<ref>Sefer HaSichos 5700, p. 158.</ref>

On Chanukah 5558 (December 1797) he married Rebbetzin [[Shifra (daughter-in-law of the Alter Rebbe)|Shifra]], daughter of Rabbi [[Tzvi Hirsh of Olle]]. A few days before the wedding, on 15 Kislev 5558, Moshe was accepted into one of the Chevra Kadisha societies of [[Lyozna]].<ref>From the register of the Chevra Kadisha of the city of Lyozna.</ref> At the wedding the Alter Rebbe delivered the maamar (Chassidic discourse) beginning with the verse ''V'eirastich li l'olam'' — "I will betroth you to Me forever."<ref>Printed in [[Likkutei Torah]], Bamidbar, 8b.</ref>

=== As Rabbi of Olle ===

After his marriage, Rabbi Moshe moved to his father-in-law's home and was appointed rabbi of [[Olle]]. He maintained a halachic correspondence with the [[Tzemach Tzedek]].<ref>Responsa of the Tzemach Tzedek, Even HaEzer, §144.</ref>

Rabbi Moshe was blessed with an exceptional memory and would transcribe (chazzer) the Alter Rebbe's maamarim, writing them down from memory. His transcriptions (hanachos — verbatim records of oral discourses) later formed the basis for the published volumes of Maamarei Admur HaZaken. His father held him in particular affection and would say of him: "My son Moshe has outstanding talents; his remarkable memory will never leave him."<ref>Sefer HaToldos Admur HaZaken, vol. 3, p. 744.</ref> Rabbi Moshe's appearance resembled that of his father the Alter Rebbe.<ref name=beisrebbi>[[Beis Rebbi]], 57a.</ref>

Rabbi Moshe lived in considerable material comfort.<ref>Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, vol. 4, p. 167.</ref> It is told that he once arrived at his father's home in a carriage drawn by three horses. Upon seeing this, the Alter Rebbe said to him: {{Quote|text="Whom do you trust? In me? — you will not even find the door of my room in Gan Eden (Paradise)."}} He then added: {{Quote|text="I have one piece of advice for you: kiss my tzitzis (the fringes of a garment worn as a reminder of the commandments) and engrave its image in your mind — then ''kan men shpringen fun shpitz fun hechsten dach''" — "one can leap from the top of the highest roof."<ref>Reshimos HaYoman, p. 202. The editors note there as a possibility that this may have been a bestowal of spiritual power enabling Rabbi Moshe to later escape from the monastery, as described below.</ref>}}

Rabbi Moshe was also a gifted composer of Chassidic melodies and is counted among the most celebrated composers in Chabad.<ref>Introduction to [[Sefer HaNigunim]], p. 9.</ref>

During the first arrest of the [[Alter Rebbe]], Rabbi Moshe wished to travel to St. Petersburg to persuade government ministers to secure his father's release, but was ultimately unable to do so.<ref name=divrei>"Divrei Yemei Chaim Admur HaZaken," pp. 49–51.</ref> During the Alter Rebbe's second arrest, Rabbi Moshe joined his father in captivity, where he engaged in lengthy debates with the clergymen and officials present.<ref name=divrei/>

From 5570 (1810) onward, Rabbi Moshe became involved in communal affairs together with the [[Tzemach Tzedek]].<ref>Shalshalas HaYachas, ch. 3.</ref>

In the introduction to the Shulchan Aruch printed for the first time after the Alter Rebbe's histalkus (passing), his name appears among the Alter Rebbe's sons. He likewise signed with them on the introduction to the printing of the [[Tanya]] in 5574 (1814), which included the Iggeres HaKodesh added at that time.

[[File:הנחה.png|thumb|A hanacha by Rabbi Moshe Schneuri from Sukkos 5567 (1806)]]

=== During the Napoleonic War ===

During Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 5572 (1812), the [[Alter Rebbe]] journeyed deep into Russia. Rabbi Moshe and his family did not join the flight; instead they settled in the city of [[Druya]], where French forces were encamped. Drawing on his knowledge of French, Rabbi Moshe cultivated relationships with the French military commanders while simultaneously gathering intelligence against them. When he attempted to reach [[Shklov]], he was captured by French forces, accused of espionage, and sentenced to death — but was ultimately released.<ref name=divrei/>

After the war, Rabbi Moshe returned with his family to the town of [[Olle]].<ref>Ateres Malchus, p. 21.</ref>

=== Arrest and the Attempt to Force His Conversion ===

A short time after the Alter Rebbe's histalkus, Rabbi Moshe accompanied his brother the [[Mitteler Rebbe]] to an audience with the Tsar of Russia on the subject of Jewish agricultural settlement. Rabbi Moshe's frank and direct manner of speaking aroused the Tsar's interest, and the Tsar invited him to debate the chief clergyman. The Mitteler Rebbe was uncomfortable with Rabbi Moshe's outspokenness, and after the meeting said to him with concern: "You have forgotten 'Sages, be careful with your words.'"<ref>Reshimos Admur Shlita, Reshimos HaYoman — 5691, pp. 212–213.</ref> Rabbi Moshe accepted the invitation and entered into a debate with the clergymen that lasted over a year — a debate he won. The Christians, unable to bear the humiliation, falsely claimed victory, forcibly imprisoned Rabbi Moshe in the city of [[Vyazma]], and subsequently brought him to a monastery,<ref>Reshimos HaYoman, ibid., p. 213.</ref> where they coerced him into signing a document declaring his intention to convert.

[[Rebbetzin Sterna]] and his brothers wrote to the Tsar informing him that Rabbi Moshe had been forced under coercion to sign the conversion document. The Tsar refused their appeal, claiming that he had signed of his own free will.<ref>See the book Ein Tachas Ayin by Rabbi Eliyahu Matusov for a full account of the above.</ref>

On [[19 Kislev]] 5576 (December 1, 1815) — the Chabad festival celebrating the release of the Alter Rebbe from his first imprisonment — while Rabbi Moshe and his captors were traveling by wagon, his captors fell asleep. He leapt from the wagon and escaped. Fearing recapture, he spent the rest of his life wandering under a concealed identity.<ref>See Reshimos HaYoman, ibid., p. 212; and Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, vol. 7, letter 1,881, pp. 15–16.</ref>

=== Years of Wandering ===

After his escape, Rabbi Moshe wandered through the cities of [[Poland]], moving from town to town. He would roam the forests and enter towns only to collect the bare minimum needed to sustain himself, refusing to accept more than that under any circumstances. He would sleep in the attic of the beis medrash (house of study and prayer), placing a stone under his head and tying his feet with a rope. He would sit in the beis medrash with his tallis covering his face; on one occasion, when he uncovered his face during a conversation with a fellow Jew, the man was overcome with awe and fear at the sight of his countenance.<ref>Migdal Oz — see sources cited there at length.</ref>

He was generally found in the region of Kyiv and Zhitomir. He was also seen several times in Cherkasy at the home of Rabbi [[Yaakov Yisrael of Cherkasy]], and in Chernobyl at the home of the holy Rabbi [[Aharon of Chernobyl]].<ref name=beisrebbi/>

During the nesius (leadership tenure) of the [[Maharash]], Rabbi Moshe appeared in [[Lubavitch]] for several days, visited the Rebbe and members of the family, and departed — his identity becoming known to the townspeople only after he had left. At that time he appeared as an elderly Chabad chassid.<ref>From the stories of Rabbi DovBer Chaskind, in a teshura for the Sverdlov-Chaskind wedding, 5767 (2007). In Reshimos HaYoman from 5691 (p. 213), the Rebbe writes that "once Rabbi Moshe came to Lubavitch." See also Nitzotzei Ohr (Weingarten), p. 172, where it is recorded that when Rabbi Moshe was in Lubavitch with the Maharash, the Maharash called his wife the Rebbetzin so that Rabbi Moshe could bless her. See there also in the name of Rabbi Yitzchak Hendel [rabbi of the Chabad community in Montreal] that in his youth in Poland he knew elderly Jews who had known Rabbi Moshe personally.</ref>

Throughout his wandering years he ate dried rusks daily — grain rusks on weekdays and wheat rusks on Shabbos. Twice a week he would collect charity, using the money to purchase firewood for women recovering from childbirth. He never received an aliyah (being called up to the Torah reading), with a single exception: once on Yom Kippur in the last year of his life. His identity was unknown to virtually everyone, except for a handful of individuals who recognized him by his appearance as the Alter Rebbe's son.<ref name=rayatz/>

He passed away during his wanderings and was buried in the city of [[Radomyshl]].

Rabbi Tzvi Chaikin, in a letter to the [[Maharash]] dated 20 Adar 5637 (March 6, 1877), wrote that six years earlier a rabbi who had been present at the time of Rabbi Moshe's passing had himself died. This places Rabbi Moshe's death no later than the winter of 5631 (1870–71).<ref>According to one version he passed away in 5615 (1855).<ref name=rayatz/></ref>

Shortly before his passing, when asked what should be inscribed on his gravestone, he replied that they should write simply: "Here lies Moshe."<ref name=rayatz/>

== The Recovery of His Story ==

For many years the story of Rabbi Moshe's life remained unknown. The book [[Beis Rebbi]] avoided engaging with the account of his arrest and focused instead on his wandering years. In 5636 (1876), the chassid Rabbi [[Tzvi Chaikin]] sent a letter to Rabbi [[Levi Yitzchak Schneersohn (grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek)|Levi Yitzchak]], grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek, recounting Rabbi Moshe's wanderings based on the testimonies of eyewitnesses. A further letter about Rabbi Moshe was sent by Rabbi Tzvi in 5637 (1877) to the [[Maharash]].<ref>The letters appear in the book Toldos Rabbi Moshe ben Admur HaZaken, p. 132ff.; and in Ohalei Lubavitch, issue 2, Nissan–Iyar 5755, p. 55ff.</ref>

 

 

 

It is told<ref>Otzar HaChassidim, New York, in the entry by Rabbi [[Schneur Zalman Gurarie]]; and in the discourse of the Rebbe Rayatz cited in the following note.</ref> that when Rabbi [[Schneur Zalman Gurarie]] said to the [[Rebbe Rayatz]] that it was traditionally believed that Rabbi Moshe had done teshuvah (repentance) in his final years, the Rebbe Rayatz responded that there was nothing for him to repent — he had been a complete tzaddik (righteous person).<ref>In Nitzotzei Ohr (Weingarten), p. 106, a different version is cited from a discourse of the Rebbe Rayatz on Rosh Hashana 5697 or 5696: "He [the Rebbe Rayatz] told [the story] of Rabbi Moshe son of the Alter Rebbe. Rabbi Schneur Zalman Gurarie asked: 'Hot er teshuvah geton?' [Did he do teshuvah?] The Rebbe Rayatz replied: 'Chalilah. Er hot nisht gehat oyf vos teshuvah tzu ton. Er iz geven tzaddik gomur' [G‑d forbid. He had nothing to repent. He was a complete tzaddik]. He also said that he possessed eleven manuscript booklets of Chassidic teachings from him in handwriting. 'Oyf zyns a vort rekhent men zikh in Chassidus' (another version: 'boyt men in dach') [A single statement of his is a major source in Chassidic teaching]. And he related that the Alter Rebbe said of him: 'Er shreibt vi ikh zogt un meint' [He writes exactly as I say and intend]."</ref>

 

 

*** The emissary Rabbi [[Chaim Tzvi Schneersohn]]<ref>David Tidhar (ed.), "Chaim Tzvi Schneersohn," Encyclopaedia LeHalutzei HaYishuv uVonav, vol. 1 (1947), p. 38; Avraham Yaari, Shelichei Eretz Yisrael, pp. 816–819; Yisrael Klausner, Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Schneersohn: MiMevasrei Medinat Yisrael, Mossad HaRav Kook, Jerusalem, 5733 (1973).</ref>

* '''Daughter''' — Rachel Fundminsky, wife of Rabbi [[Moshe Tzvi Fundminsky]]<ref>Entry 28 in Sefer HaTze'etzaim.</ref>

 

 

[[File:תולדות רבי משה.jpg|left|thumb|100px|Cover of the book ''Toldos Rabbi Moshe ben Admur HaZaken'']]

 

 

 

* Rabbi [[Eliyahu Matusov]], [https://tablet.otzar.org/he/book/book.php?book=199643&pagenum=176 '''Ayin Tachas Ayin — Keitzad Chokerim Ishim b'Yisrael'''] (A comprehensive and source-faithful study of his life and personality), 5774 (2014) — (subscribers only)

* Rabbi Eliyahu Matusov and Rabbi Avraham Goldschmid, [https://tablet.otzar.org/he/book/book.php?book=199645 '''Toldos Rabbi Moshe ben Admur HaZaken'''] (Biography according to the reliable Chabad tradition), 5776 (2016)