Shneur Zalman Gurary
Rabbi Schneur Zalman Gurary was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Yeshivos Tomchei Temimim Lubavitch, a director of Kehot Publication Society, appointed by the Rebbe to the main leadership of Agudas Chassidei Chabad International, and a member of the Rabbinical Alliance of America and Canada.
Early Years
Rabbi Schneur Zalman Gurary was born to Rabbi Nosson Gurary and Rebbetzin Esther Gurary in Kremenchug, on the first night of Chanukah, 5672. On Erev Yom Kippur, 5677, at the age of 5, he merited to see and receive a blessing from the Rebbe Rashab in the town of Slavyansk, where the Rebbe Rashab was staying at the time. During the winter of 5680, his family fled Kremenchug to Rostov, escaping the approaching Bolsheviks.
In 5681, Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s father passed away, and the Rebbe Rayatz personally took responsibility for his education, At one memorable Simchas Torah farbrengen, the Rebbe demonstrated particular closeness by seating young Zalman on his knees and personally feeding him tzimmes, saying "Es un brech, vestu bleibn a chossid" [eat and vomit, and you'll remain a chossid].. His teacher was Rabbi Moshe Rosenblum, a chossid and secretary of the Rebbe Rashab and the Rebbe Rayatz.
On one occasion, the Rebbe Rayatz instructed Rabbi Yaakov Landau to test young Schneur Zalman. Rabbi Landau tested him in the dining room adjacent to the Rebbe’s study. Unknown to Rabbi Schneur Zalman, the Rebbe was listening to the test from his room. Afterward, the Rebbe dismissed the teacher, as he focused only on teaching knowledge without depth, and appointed Rabbi Yechiel Kamisar as his new teacher.
During these years, Rabbi Schneur Zalman received special attention from the Rebbe Rayatz and was one of the select few to participate in the weddings of the Rebbe Rayatz’s three daughters.
When the Rebbe Rayatz moved from Rostov to Leningrad in 5684, Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s family also relocated. Without a private tutor in Leningrad, the Rebbe sent him to Nevel to study under the guidance of Rabbi Meir Simcha Chein. The Rebbe instructed Rabbi Chein to arrange a suitable teacher for Rabbi Schneur Zalman. After initial difficulties, the Rebbe's secretary, Rabbi Yechezkel Feigin, intervened, ensuring his acceptance into Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in Nevel.
Studies in Poland
In 5685, Rabbi Schneur Zalman’s family emigrated to Poland, and he began learning in Tomchei Temimim in Warsaw. During this time, he received personal letters from the Rebbe Rayatz, guiding him on his studies and behavior. Among the Rebbe’s instructions was a directive to study "Derech Chaim" by the Mitteler Rebbe.
At 15, Rabbi Schneur Zalman suffered from appendicitis. Doctors insisted on surgery, but he refused without the Rebbe’s consent. Since the Rebbe was then imprisoned and unreachable, Rabbi Schneur Zalman declined the surgery. Miraculously, he recovered without it.
Before Rosh Hashanah 5689, he exerted great effort to travel to the Rebbe Rayatz, who was then in Riga, overcoming financial and bureaucratic challenges. This marked the beginning of an enduring tradition—spending Rosh Hashanah with the Rebbe every year, except for two occasions.
In Kislev 5689, Rabbi Schneur Zalman participated in the wedding of the Rebbe and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka.
Shlichus and Leadership
In 5691, Rabbi Schneur Zalman was sent by the Rebbe Rayatz to inspect and establish yeshivos in various cities. The Rebbe gave him detailed instructions, emphasizing that a shliach must first embody the values he seeks to impart to others.
He excelled in his role, delivering shiurim in Nigleh and Chassidus and engaging with prominent rabbonim and roshei yeshiva. Upon returning to Warsaw, he became a maggid shiur in the yeshiva’s preparatory program and continued to maintain a close relationship with the Rebbe Rayatz, who personally ensured his salary.
In the United States
After marrying Rebbetzin Chava, the daughter of the Kopishnitz Rebbe, he settled temporarily with his in-laws on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. With the establishment of Yeshivas Tomchei Temimim in America, Rabbi Schneur Zalman became a rosh yeshiva and played a pivotal role in its administration alongside other prominent Chabad leaders.
Despite business ventures and communal responsibilities, Rabbi Schneur Zalman maintained a rigorous daily learning schedule, delivering two shiurim in Gemara each day.
He was deeply devoted to the Rebbe and followed the Rebbe’s directives meticulously. Even in matters of personal health, such as refraining from kidney surgery, he heeded the Rebbe's guidance, enduring challenges with unwavering faith.
Communal Leadership
Rabbi Schneur Zalman was instrumental in keeping Chabad families in Crown Heights during challenging times, offering financial incentives to encourage home purchases in the neighborhood. He also played a significant role in the preservation and expansion of Chabad institutions, including the Library of Agudas Chassidei Chabad.
Hiskashrus to the Rebbe
After the histalkus of the Frierdiker Rebbe, Reb Zalman became deeply mekushar to the Rebbe, writing to him almost daily about all his activities. He would take no step without first receiving the Rebbe's haskama and bracha. He served on a special vaad dealing with matters related to the kabolas hanesius.
Hafatzas HaMaayanos and Mivtzoim
Reb Zalman was known as a dedicated chossid who was moser nefesh for the Rebbe's horaos, particularly the Aseres HaMivtzoim which he fulfilled with special hiddur. He was known for his extraordinary chavivus for hiddur mitzvah, especially regarding sandakaus, which the Rebbe once publicly praised
Activities for Moshiach
Reb Zalman was among the roshei ha'oskim in spreading the besuras hageulah and about the goel. In the later years, he spoke with chayus about the "new tekufa" we are experiencing - the period of hisgalus Moshiach. He strongly encouraged the proclamation of "Yechi Adoneinu Moreinu V'Rabbeinu Melech HaMoshiach L'olam Va'ed" and supported publishing notices in newspapers about the Rebbe's identity as Melech HaMoshiach.
Passing
On Erev Rosh Hashanah 5764, while visiting the Ohel, Rabbi Schneur Zalman suffered a heart attack and passed away on Rosh Hashanah.
Family
His children:
- Reb Yitzchak Meir Gurary
- Reb Nosson Gurary (Buffalo)
- Mrs. Esther, wife of Reb Menachem Nachum Sternberg