The Mitteler Rebbe: Difference between revisions

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[[File:אדמו"ר האמצעי.jpg|thumb|200px]]

[[File:אדמו"ר האמצעי.jpg|thumb|200px|The Page Title Of The Mitteler Rebbe's Maamorim]]

'''The Mitteler Rebbe''' (Middle Rebbe), Rabbi DovBer Schneuri - originally in Yiddish "Der Mitteler Rebbe" - (9 Kislev 5534 - 9 Kislev 5588), was the second Rebbe in the dynasty of Chabad Rebbes and successor to his father, [[the Alter Rebbe]]. His nesius (leadership) was characterized by harchava (expansiveness and abundance), and he wrote and delivered thousands of maamarim (Chassidic discourses). He became known as the "Mitteler Rebbe" after his histalkus (passing), following the appointment of the third Rebbe of Chabad, [[the Tzemach Tzedek]].

'''The Mitteler Rebbe'''<ref>The title "Ha'Emtzai" (The Middle One) became associated with him after his passing and the ascension of the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek as his successor. The relatively short leadership of Rabbi Dov Ber created a situation where many Chassidim knew all three Rebbes (the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Dov Ber, and the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek). Rabbi Dov Ber, who was the middle one, was called by the name "Admur Ha'Emtzai" (the Middle Rebbe).</ref> (Middle Rebbe), Rabbi DovBer Schneuri - originally in Yiddish "Der Mitteler Rebbe" - (9 Kislev 5534 - 9 Kislev 5588), was the second Rebbe in the dynasty of Chabad Rebbes and successor to his father, [[the Alter Rebbe]]. His nesius (leadership) was characterized by harchava (expansiveness and abundance), and he wrote and delivered thousands of maamarim (Chassidic discourses). He became known as the "Mitteler Rebbe" after his histalkus (passing), following the appointment of the third Rebbe of Chabad, [[the Tzemach Tzedek]].

== Life History ==

After 14 years of marriage during which only daughters were born, his father, [[the Alter Rebbe]], traveled to his Rebbe, the Maggid of Mezritch, for a bracha for a son. The Maggid promised that if he would excel in hachnosas orchim (hospitality), he would merit a son, hinting to this from the possuk "Bameh yizakeh naar - es archo" (how shall a young man merit - through his ways/guests).

After 14 years of marriage during which only daughters were born, his father, [[the Alter Rebbe]], traveled to his Rebbe, the Maggid of Mezritch, for a bracha for a son. The Maggid promised that if he would excel in hachnosas orchim (hospitality), he would merit a son, hinting to this from the possuk "Bameh yizakeh naar - es archo<ref>Tehillim 119, 9</ref>" (how shall a young man merit - through his ways/guests).

On the final Shabbos of the Maggid's life, Parshas Vayishlach 5533, he revealed to the Alter Rebbe the inner meanings of the "Shalom Zachar" and "Vach Nacht" ceremonies, promising him a son whom he should name after him (DovBer).

One year later, on 9 Kislev 5534, DovBer was born, the Alter Rebbe's first son. At his birth, his father provided a special piece of fabric to wrap the infant after his first washing.

One year later, on 9 Kislev 5534, DovBer was born, the Alter Rebbe's first son. At his birth, his father provided a special piece of fabric to wrap the infant after his first washing<ref>Likutei Diburim vol. 2, p. 225</ref>.

The bris milah was attended by several of the Maggid's greatest talmidim, including Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk and Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk.

==== Education ====

The Alter Rebbe hired a special melamed (teacher) from among the Maggid's talmidim to teach his son Torah and guide his development. An additional melamed was Reb Avraham of Liepli.

The Alter Rebbe hired a special melamed (teacher) from among the Maggid's talmidim to teach his son Torah and guide his development<ref>The melamed from Liozna, the grandfather of R' Dovber son of R' Pesach the melamed. Sefer HaSichos 5710, p. 395.</ref>. An additional melamed was Reb Avraham of Liepli.

From his earliest years, his extraordinary kochos (abilities) were evident to all. He would engage in pilpul (scholarly discourse) with his father's senior chassidim. He had a special interest in recording his observations of his father's hanhagos. From childhood, he was known for his ability to write with exceptional speed and clarity.

==== Bar Mitzvah ====

His Bar Mitzvah celebration drew chassidim from throughout the region, despite the Alter Rebbe's general rule against chassidim visiting during Cheshvan and Kislev. The rule was suspended for this simcha.

His Bar Mitzvah celebration drew chassidim from throughout the region<ref>A comprehensive and extensive description of the Bar Mitzvah of the Mitteler Rebbe was related by the Rebbe Rayatz on 25 Shevat 5696 (1936), during the Bar Mitzvah celebration of his grandson, B.G. The sicha was printed in Likutei Diburim vol. 2, p. 224b and onward in great detail.</ref>, despite the Alter Rebbe's general rule against chassidim visiting during Cheshvan and Kislev. The rule was suspended for this simcha.

On the Bar Mitzvah day - Thursday, 9 Kislev 5547 - candles were lit throughout the beis medrash courtyard, which was specially expanded for the many guests. During krias haTorah, while the Bar Mitzvah bochur didn't receive an aliyah, his father was called for shlishi and afterward recited "Boruch Sheptarani" with Shem uMalchus.

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==== Lubavitch ====

The journey concluded with the Mitteler Rebbe choosing the town of Lubavitch as his residence, arriving there with thousands of chassidim on the 18th of Elul 5573. Upon arrival, the Mitteler Rebbe told the chassidim that the Alter Rebbe had studied in Lubavitch during his youth under Rabbi Yissachar Ber of Lubavitch. He added that the Alter Rebbe had appeared to him and requested that he establish his seat in Lubavitch.

[[File:העיירה ליובאוויטש.jpg|thumb]]

[[File:העיירה ליובאוויטש.jpg|thumb|A Map Of Lubavitch]]

Prince Tchekhovskiy, who ruled over the town, commanded his workers to cut trees from his forests to build homes for the Rebbe and the chassidim.

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On the eve of Wednesday, 9 Kislev 5588, the Mitteler Rebbe began saying a chassidic discourse with great hislahavus (enthusiasm) on the possuk "Acharei Hashem teileichu" (After Hashem you shall follow). Toward dawn, he concluded the maamar with the words "ki imcha mekor chaim mechayei hachaim" (for with You is the source of life from the Life of life) and was nistalek at age 54. His honorable resting place is in Nezhin.

[[File:מצבת אדמור האמצעי.jpg|thumb]]

[[File:מצבת אדמור האמצעי.jpg|thumb|The Tzion of The Mitteler Rebbe]]

The Mitteler Rebbe left a Sefer Torah that was inherited by his son Rabbi Menachem Nachum and from there to his grandchildren, the Popka family; R' Yitzchak Chaim Popka and R' Mordechai DovBer Popka. Today, the Sefer Torah is kept in the "Beis Torah Damesek Eliezer" synagogue in Flatbush.

==== Explanation of His Histalkus on His Birthday ====

The Mitteler Rebbe was nistalek on his birthday, 9 Kislev. The Rebbe (the Lubavitcher Rebbe) noted regarding this the Chazal's statement that "HaKadosh Baruch Hu sits and fills the years of tzaddikim from day to day and from month to month, as it says: 'The number of your days I shall fill'" - from which we see there is a special quality when a tzaddik's histalkus occurs on his birthday, making his years and days complete. The Rebbe adds that all tzaddikim have this quality of Hashem filling their years, but for most, it isn't visible in the physical realm. This was the special quality of the Mitteler Rebbe - that this concept was expressed even in gashmiyus (physicality).

[[File:אדמור האמצעי.jpg|thumb]]

[[File:אדמור האמצעי.jpg|thumb|The Outside of The Tzion of The Mitteler Rebbe]]

This aspect fits with his avodah throughout his life - to bring the highest concepts of Chassidus even into physical flesh and material matters. As his son-in-law, the Tzemach Tzedek, expressed: "If they would cut my father-in-law's finger, Chassidus would flow instead of blood." He influenced his chassidim in this direction as well, stating that his desire was "that when two young men meet in the marketplace, they should discuss Chassidus," and that "when young men understand Kesser like they understand their five fingers, I will have satisfaction from this."

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== External Links ==

* The Rebbe tells about the Mitteler Rebbe - Audio file from Chabad Info (link not active, 28 Iyar 5783)

* [https://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playdisk&id=88 The Rebbe tells about the Mitteler Rebbe - Audio file from Chabad Info (link not active, 28 Iyar 5783)]

* The secret of the Mitteler Rebbe's soul - A story by Menachem Zigelboim on the Chabad Israel website

* R' Shneur Zalman Berger, Why Nezhin? • Special review for 9 Kislev

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[[he:רבי דובער שניאורי (אדמו"ר האמצעי)]]

[[Category:Chabad Rebbes]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:אדמו"ר האמצעי.jpg|thumb|200px]]
+[[File:אדמו"ר האמצעי.jpg|thumb|200px|The Page Title Of The Mitteler Rebbe's Maamorim]]
-'''The Mitteler Rebbe''' (Middle Rebbe), Rabbi DovBer Schneuri - originally in Yiddish "Der Mitteler Rebbe" - (9 Kislev 5534 - 9 Kislev 5588), was the second Rebbe in the dynasty of Chabad Rebbes and successor to his father, [[the Alter Rebbe]]. His nesius (leadership) was characterized by harchava (expansiveness and abundance), and he wrote and delivered thousands of maamarim (Chassidic discourses). He became known as the "Mitteler Rebbe" after his histalkus (passing), following the appointment of the third Rebbe of Chabad, [[the Tzemach Tzedek]].
+'''The Mitteler Rebbe'''<ref>The title "Ha'Emtzai" (The Middle One) became associated with him after his passing and the ascension of the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek as his successor. The relatively short leadership of Rabbi Dov Ber created a situation where many Chassidim knew all three Rebbes (the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Dov Ber, and the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek). Rabbi Dov Ber, who was the middle one, was called by the name "Admur Ha'Emtzai" (the Middle Rebbe).</ref> (Middle Rebbe), Rabbi DovBer Schneuri - originally in Yiddish "Der Mitteler Rebbe" - (9 Kislev 5534 - 9 Kislev 5588), was the second Rebbe in the dynasty of Chabad Rebbes and successor to his father, [[the Alter Rebbe]]. His nesius (leadership) was characterized by harchava (expansiveness and abundance), and he wrote and delivered thousands of maamarim (Chassidic discourses). He became known as the "Mitteler Rebbe" after his histalkus (passing), following the appointment of the third Rebbe of Chabad, [[the Tzemach Tzedek]].
 == Life History ==
 {{Chabad}}
-After 14 years of marriage during which only daughters were born, his father, [[the Alter Rebbe]], traveled to his Rebbe, the Maggid of Mezritch, for a bracha for a son. The Maggid promised that if he would excel in hachnosas orchim (hospitality), he would merit a son, hinting to this from the possuk "Bameh yizakeh naar - es archo" (how shall a young man merit - through his ways/guests).
+After 14 years of marriage during which only daughters were born, his father, [[the Alter Rebbe]], traveled to his Rebbe, the Maggid of Mezritch, for a bracha for a son. The Maggid promised that if he would excel in hachnosas orchim (hospitality), he would merit a son, hinting to this from the possuk "Bameh yizakeh naar - es archo<ref>Tehillim 119, 9</ref>" (how shall a young man merit - through his ways/guests).
 On the final Shabbos of the Maggid's life, Parshas Vayishlach 5533, he revealed to the Alter Rebbe the inner meanings of the "Shalom Zachar" and "Vach Nacht" ceremonies, promising him a son whom he should name after him (DovBer).
-One year later, on 9 Kislev 5534, DovBer was born, the Alter Rebbe's first son. At his birth, his father provided a special piece of fabric to wrap the infant after his first washing.
+One year later, on 9 Kislev 5534, DovBer was born, the Alter Rebbe's first son. At his birth, his father provided a special piece of fabric to wrap the infant after his first washing<ref>Likutei Diburim vol. 2, p. 225</ref>.
 The bris milah was attended by several of the Maggid's greatest talmidim, including Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk and Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk.
 ==== Education ====
-The Alter Rebbe hired a special melamed (teacher) from among the Maggid's talmidim to teach his son Torah and guide his development. An additional melamed was Reb Avraham of Liepli.
+The Alter Rebbe hired a special melamed (teacher) from among the Maggid's talmidim to teach his son Torah and guide his development<ref>The melamed from Liozna, the grandfather of R' Dovber son of R' Pesach the melamed. Sefer HaSichos 5710, p. 395.</ref>. An additional melamed was Reb Avraham of Liepli.
 From his earliest years, his extraordinary kochos (abilities) were evident to all. He would engage in pilpul (scholarly discourse) with his father's senior chassidim. He had a special interest in recording his observations of his father's hanhagos. From childhood, he was known for his ability to write with exceptional speed and clarity.
 ==== Bar Mitzvah ====
-His Bar Mitzvah celebration drew chassidim from throughout the region, despite the Alter Rebbe's general rule against chassidim visiting during Cheshvan and Kislev. The rule was suspended for this simcha.
+His Bar Mitzvah celebration drew chassidim from throughout the region<ref>A comprehensive and extensive description of the Bar Mitzvah of the Mitteler Rebbe was related by the Rebbe Rayatz on 25 Shevat 5696 (1936), during the Bar Mitzvah celebration of his grandson, B.G. The sicha was printed in Likutei Diburim vol. 2, p. 224b and onward in great detail.</ref>, despite the Alter Rebbe's general rule against chassidim visiting during Cheshvan and Kislev. The rule was suspended for this simcha.
 On the Bar Mitzvah day - Thursday, 9 Kislev 5547 - candles were lit throughout the beis medrash courtyard, which was specially expanded for the many guests. During krias haTorah, while the Bar Mitzvah bochur didn't receive an aliyah, his father was called for shlishi and afterward recited "Boruch Sheptarani" with Shem uMalchus.
@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 ==== Lubavitch ====
 The journey concluded with the Mitteler Rebbe choosing the town of Lubavitch as his residence, arriving there with thousands of chassidim on the 18th of Elul 5573. Upon arrival, the Mitteler Rebbe told the chassidim that the Alter Rebbe had studied in Lubavitch during his youth under Rabbi Yissachar Ber of Lubavitch. He added that the Alter Rebbe had appeared to him and requested that he establish his seat in Lubavitch.
-[[File:העיירה ליובאוויטש.jpg|thumb]]
+[[File:העיירה ליובאוויטש.jpg|thumb|A Map Of Lubavitch]]
 Prince Tchekhovskiy, who ruled over the town, commanded his workers to cut trees from his forests to build homes for the Rebbe and the chassidim.
@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 On the eve of Wednesday, 9 Kislev 5588, the Mitteler Rebbe began saying a chassidic discourse with great hislahavus (enthusiasm) on the possuk "Acharei Hashem teileichu" (After Hashem you shall follow). Toward dawn, he concluded the maamar with the words "ki imcha mekor chaim mechayei hachaim" (for with You is the source of life from the Life of life) and was nistalek at age 54. His honorable resting place is in Nezhin.
-[[File:מצבת אדמור האמצעי.jpg|thumb]]
+[[File:מצבת אדמור האמצעי.jpg|thumb|The Tzion of The Mitteler Rebbe]]
 The Mitteler Rebbe left a Sefer Torah that was inherited by his son Rabbi Menachem Nachum and from there to his grandchildren, the Popka family; R' Yitzchak Chaim Popka and R' Mordechai DovBer Popka. Today, the Sefer Torah is kept in the "Beis Torah Damesek Eliezer" synagogue in Flatbush.
 ==== Explanation of His Histalkus on His Birthday ====
 The Mitteler Rebbe was nistalek on his birthday, 9 Kislev. The Rebbe (the Lubavitcher Rebbe) noted regarding this the Chazal's statement that "HaKadosh Baruch Hu sits and fills the years of tzaddikim from day to day and from month to month, as it says: 'The number of your days I shall fill'" - from which we see there is a special quality when a tzaddik's histalkus occurs on his birthday, making his years and days complete. The Rebbe adds that all tzaddikim have this quality of Hashem filling their years, but for most, it isn't visible in the physical realm. This was the special quality of the Mitteler Rebbe - that this concept was expressed even in gashmiyus (physicality).
-[[File:אדמור האמצעי.jpg|thumb]]
+[[File:אדמור האמצעי.jpg|thumb|The Outside of The Tzion of The Mitteler Rebbe]]
 This aspect fits with his avodah throughout his life - to bring the highest concepts of Chassidus even into physical flesh and material matters. As his son-in-law, the Tzemach Tzedek, expressed: "If they would cut my father-in-law's finger, Chassidus would flow instead of blood." He influenced his chassidim in this direction as well, stating that his desire was "that when two young men meet in the marketplace, they should discuss Chassidus," and that "when young men understand Kesser like they understand their five fingers, I will have satisfaction from this."
@@ Line 145: / Line 145: @@
 == External Links ==
-* The Rebbe tells about the Mitteler Rebbe - Audio file from Chabad Info (link not active, 28 Iyar 5783)
+* [https://old2.ih.chabad.info/php/audio.php?action=playdisk&id=88 The Rebbe tells about the Mitteler Rebbe - Audio file from Chabad Info (link not active, 28 Iyar 5783)]
 * The secret of the Mitteler Rebbe's soul - A story by Menachem Zigelboim on the Chabad Israel website
 * R' Shneur Zalman Berger, Why Nezhin? • Special review for 9 Kislev
@@ Line 154: / Line 154: @@
 [[he:רבי דובער שניאורי (אדמו"ר האמצעי)]]
+[[Category:Chabad Rebbes]]