Rabbi Bentzion Schneerson was the brother of Rebbetzin Nechama Dina, wife of the Frierdiker Rebbe (Rebbe Rayatz), and the son of R' Avraham Schneerson of Kishinev, who was the son of R' Yisroel Noach Schneerson (the Maharyin), son of the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek.

Life History

Rabbi Bentzion was born in Cheshvan 5657 in Kishinev (Moldova) to his father Rabbi Avraham Schneerson and his mother Rebbetzin Yocheved. Most of his older siblings passed away in their childhood, and because of this his parents named him Bentzion at his bris as a segulah for long life.

He studied at Tomchei Tmimim in Lubavitch, and when he reached marriageable age, he married Mrs. Tzila Schneerson. Afterward, he worked as an accountant. During his youth, he traveled to Lubavitch to visit his sister, and on that occasion merited to dine at the table of the Rebbe Rashab together with the Frierdiker Rebbe and his wife the Rebbetzin. At that meal, he merited that the Rebbe Rashab turned to him and asked him to lead the bentching.

In the period after the war, they stayed in Romania, and in 5716/1956 they made aliyah to Eretz Hakodesh and settled in Tel Aviv on 41 Rashi Street. Towards Tishrei 5717/1956, he traveled to 770 to visit his sister Rebbetzin Nechama Dina, wife of the Frierdiker Rebbe, and his nieces and nephews - the Rebbe and Rashag. The Rebbe together with Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka and her sister Chana traveled together to greet him at the airport. The Rebbe made the effort to carry his belongings.

That year on Simchas Torah, the Rebbe danced together with Rashag and R' Bentzion, and sat next to the Rebbe during the farbrengens. At the end of the holiday period, the Rebbe accompanied R' Bentzion to the door, with Rebbetzin Nechama Dina bidding him farewell at the car (he came for another visit several years later).

Rabbi Bentzion lived in Tel Aviv for many years. He was deeply connected to the Rebbe with all his soul, and over the years had extensive correspondence with the Rebbe, and even had a regular phone conversation with the Rebbe.

When the directive came from the Rebbe in 5720/1960 to appoint Rabbi Moshe Ashkenazi as the community rabbi, it was decided to establish a committee to handle this officially. The committee had three members: Rabbi Chaim Shmarya Gurary, Rabbi Bentzion Schneerson, and Rabbi Shalom Chaskind. They spoke with the congregants of the Chabad synagogue on Nachalat Binyamin Street, and when they heard about the Rebbe's instruction, they naturally agreed to the proposal. Since 5720/1960, Rabbi Moshe Ashkenazi served as the community rabbi, and over the years made sure to give Torah classes and assist community members.

In Chanukah 5733/1972, he participated in the first convention of the Descendants Association at Beit Ha'am in Jerusalem. He was very impressed, and in his regular phone conversation with the Rebbe, he expressed his great amazement at the success of the convention.

One year, an idea arose to establish Kolel Tiferet Zekenim in Tel Aviv, and some Anash wrote to the Rebbe to request his blessing and agreement. When R' Bentzion learned of this, he expressed his bitterness: "Why wasn't I called? Am I not part of Anash? Am I not, G-d forbid, a chossid of the Rebbe?"

Between Rebbetzin Nechama Dina, wife of the Frierdiker Rebbe, and her brother Rabbi Bentzion, there was a warm and heartfelt connection. Rebbetzin Nechama Dina would write to them regularly, and the letter would arrive every two weeks on a specific day. The connection was so consistent that when the letter was delayed and didn't arrive on time - it was a cause for concern.

He passed away on 16th Tevet 5737/1977 and was buried in the Chabad section on Har Hazeisim in Jerusalem.

R' Bentzion and Tzila Schneerson did not leave any descendants.

Tzila Schneerson

Mrs. Tzila Schneerson was from the Horowitz family and traced her lineage to the Shelah Hakadosh. She arrived in Eretz Yisrael together with her husband and they established their residence in Tel Aviv.

Mrs. Tzila lived many years after her husband's passing. She was childless, and when she became a widow, she deeply felt the absence of her husband. As the years passed, her pain did not diminish and she frequently wept over his departure.

Even after Rav Bentzion's passing, the Rebbe and Rebbetzin personally took care of all of Mrs. Tzila's needs. The Rebbe ensured to sell her chometz.

She would converse with the Rebbe by telephone, and Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka would also call to inquire about her wellbeing, reassuring her that she was not alone and that someone was caring for her.

She lived beyond the age of 100. Despite her advanced age, she remained a warm conversationalist with clear understanding and didn't even need glasses. Even when she turned 100 years old, she recognized and identified the people around her. She loved children, and when they came to visit her, her great joy was evident.

In her final years, she was moved to a nursing home due to difficulty finding a caregiver. Her stay there caused a deterioration in her condition, and she requested to return home. The women around her felt helpless in face of the great responsibility of fulfilling her wish. Thanks to the dedication of Mrs. Sarah Reichman, and with the assistance of N'shei uBnos Chabad in Tel Aviv, including Mrs. Rachel Reichman and Mrs. Ben Tzvi, who cared for her welfare, her condition improved even more than before her hospitalization in the nursing home, and she merited to spend her final days within the walls of her home as she wished.

She passed away on 29 Kislev 5766 (2005), Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Mikeitz, and merited to reach her final resting place before Shabbos began, near her husband, in the Chabad section on Har HaZeisim.

After her passing, N'shei uBnos Chabad in Eretz HaKodesh decided to commemorate the names of Rav Ben Tzion and his wife Mrs. Tzila Schneerson through the writing of a Sefer Torah for the elevation of their souls. On their first yahrzeit in Kislev 5767 (2006), a ceremony marking the completion of the Sefer Torah was held.

Family

Father: R' Avraham Schneerson
Mother: Rebbetzin Yocheved
Sister: Rebbetzin Mrs. Nechama Dina
Brother-in-law: The Frierdiker Rebbe