HaRav Shmariyahu Noach Schneerson

The Rebbe Shmariyahu Noach Schneerson (1842 - 15th of Teves 1923) served as Rav in Bobruisk and became Rebbe of the Kopust dynasty.

Life History

The Rebbe Shmariyahu Noach Schneerson of Bobruisk was born in Lubavitch in 1842. He was the youngest son of his father Rebbe Yehuda Leib Schneerson (son of the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek).

In his youth, he learned with his grandfather, the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek, and with his brother, Rav Shlomo Zalman Schneerson, who later became the Rebbe of Kopust. Various traditions claim that he also learned with his uncle the Rebbe Maharash.

He married his cousin, the daughter of Rebbe Maharin of Nezhin.

After the passing of his grandfather, the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek, he traveled with his father to Kopust. After his father's passing, he returned to Lubavitch. In 1872, his uncle, the Rebbe Maharash, appointed him as Rav of the Chassidic community in Bobruisk; some Anash of Lubavitch opposed this appointment; the Rebbe Maharash was strict with them, and they suffered great losses in property and life.

After the passing of his brother Rabbi Shlomo Zalman, he and his brother Rabbi Shalom DovBer were appointed as Rebbes in the Kopust dynasty, RaShDaB in Retzitza and Rabbi Shmarya Noach in Bobruisk.

In 1901, he established a yeshiva in Bobruisk led by his son Rabbi Menachem Mendel, where dozens of exceptional bochurim studied; many of its graduates later served as rabbonim and roshei yeshivos throughout Russia. Among the most prominent: Rav Moshe Don Yichya, Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin, and Rav Shmariyahu Yehuda Leib Medalia.

Relations with Lubavitch

Over the years, there occurred an incident with Lubavitch, for example, he established a special Colel Chabad - separate from the Colel Chabad managed by the Rebbe Rashab.

His views also differed from those of the Lubavitcher Rebbes on several matters. Thus in Shevat 1910, a gathering of rabbonim in Russia took place, attended by gedolei hador. At the assembly, there were differences of opinion whether a rav should know the Russian language and have minimal general education. Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, supported by Rabbi Dovid Friedman of Karlin, and Rabbi Shmarya Noach Schneerson of Bobruisk advocated in favor, while Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, supported by the Rebbe Rashab and the Chofetz Chaim, strongly opposed studying any other subjects whatsoever.

The years of revolution and famine in Russia affected his health condition and in 1923 he became very ill and on the 15th of Teves 1923 he passed away. He is buried in Bobruisk.

Like the other grandchildren of the Tzemach Tzedek, the Rebbe Rayatz refers to him as 'Rebbe' and a leader of Chassidus Chabad.

His Successor in Babruysk

In his will, he requested to appoint one of his grandson rabbis as his successor in the rabbinate - either Rabbi Yisroel Moshe, son of his son-in-law R' Dovid Berbash, or Rabbi Moshe Dovid, son of his son Rabbi Menachem Mendel.

However, some of his descendants passed away during his lifetime, and the others refused to accept the burden of leadership. After much searching, his chassidim approached his granddaughter's husband - Rabbi Shmuel Bazeplov, but he too was reluctant to accept the offer. In their distress, the Chabad-Kopust chassidim turned to the Frierdiker Rebbe of Lubavitch, requesting that he appeal to Rabbi Shmuel to accept the leadership. The Frierdiker Rebbe agreed and wrote a letter to Rabbi Shmuel (see entry on R' Shmuel Bezpalov). In practice, Rabbi Shmuel Bazeplov succeeded his wife's grandfather only in the rabbinate, but not in leadership.

His Descendants

• His son R' Menachem Mendel (martyred on 2 Menachem Av 5679), his wife Hinda daughter of R' Leib Margolies of Berditchev. She passed away in Elul 5701 in Tel Aviv.
  • His son, Yisroel Yaakov. Passed away in 5654 at 4 months old in Babruysk.
  • His son, R' Baruch Eliyahu Schneerson.
  • His daughter, Mussia Freida Privs.
• His son, Dovid. Mentioned among the donors of the book Mefaneach Nealamos.
• His son-in-law, Menachem Shmuel. Same source.
• His daughter Mussia married on 5 Elul 5640 to R' Dovid son of R' Yitzchok Eizik Berbash. Passed away 28 Adar 5679. His son Yisroel Moshe passed away 15 Tammuz 5724 in Tel Aviv.
• His granddaughter's husband Rabbi Shmuel Bezpalov - served after him as rabbi of Babruysk.

His Books

See expanded entry – Shemen LaMaor

• Shemen LaMaor, a collection of his Torah teachings, compiled by his grandchildren and printed in two volumes with the Rebbe's blessing by Rabbi Binyamin Eliyahu Gorodetsky and Rabbi Refael Wilshansky in 1964 and 1966 in Kfar Chabad.

Further Reading

• Rabbi Amram Blau, The Great Luminary: Life Story of Rabbi Shmarya Noach Schneersohn of Babruysk, Heichal HaBaal Shem Tov Issue 22, Nissan 2008, pp. 95-131.
• Rabbi Shneur Berger, Unity in the World of Truth and This World, The Unity between Chabad Chassidus in Babruysk and Lubavitch, Beis Moshiach Weekly 10 Teves 5781 page 40