Shneur Zalman Aharon Schneerson
Rabbi Shneur Zalman Aharon Schneerson (known by his initials as the Raza) (19 Tammuz 5618 [July 1, 1858] – 11 Cheshvan 5669 [November 4, 1908]) was the firstborn son of the Rebbe Maharash, and the elder brother of the Rebbe Rashab. He was renowned for his exceptional gifts and wrote a great deal of original Torah scholarship throughout his life — yet before his passing he burned all of his writings and instructed that the ashes be buried together with him in his grave.
Life
Rabbi Shneur Zalman Aharon was born on 19 Tammuz 5618 (July 1, 1858) to his father the Rebbe Maharash and his mother Rebbetzin Rivkah. He was named after the Alter Rebbe and after his maternal grandfather, the pious Rabbi Aharon Alexandrov of Shklov.
The Tzemach Tzedek had a custom at the circumcision of his grandsons of also calling them by an acronym formed from their initials. For Rabbi Shneur Zalman Aharon he called out Raza — and by that name he was known among Chassidim ever after.[1]
When the Raza was three years old, the Tzemach Tzedek suggested to his son Rabbi Yisrael Noach Schneerson that he take the young Raza as a groom for his daughter. Rabbi Yisrael Noach asked his father: "But what if this child does not grow up to be a Torah scholar?" His father replied: "A Torah scholar like you he will certainly be — and it is quite possible he will know more than you!"
In his childhood, he spent a great deal of time playing with his younger brother the Rebbe Rashab, and Chabad tradition has preserved many stories from that period. The Rebbe would often recount these stories and draw from them practical lessons in the service of G-d.[2]
The Raza was blessed with extraordinary talents and noble character. His father the Rebbe Maharash said of him: "He has a powerful mind — he is capable of thinking two thoughts simultaneously."
At one of his gatherings, the Rebbe Rayatz spoke of his uncle: "My uncle the Raza, who possessed fine character traits by his very nature, had a strong heart. Even when he was suffering the most severe afflictions — and he suffered greatly throughout his life — there was always a smile on his face. He never shed a tear over his own pain. But when he heard that someone else was suffering, the smile would vanish from his face and tears would appear in his eyes, and he would do everything in his power to help the one who was suffering."
Marriage
In the month of Cheshvan 5634 (October–November 1873),[3] the Raza's wedding took place with his cousin Miss Sterna, daughter of Rabbi Yisrael Noach Schneerson. The wedding celebration was held in the small hall — known in Chabad as the Zal HaKatan — in the town of Lubavitch.
Following the passing of his father the Rebbe Maharash, the Raza accepted joint leadership together with the Rebbe Rashab, but withdrew after a short period.[4] He engaged in commerce and undertook many activities on behalf of the Jewish people.
The Rebbe Rashab, his younger brother, did not wish to formally assume the leadership of Chabad as long as his elder brother was living in Lubavitch, and for eleven years refrained from conducting himself as Rebbe in an official capacity. Only in 5654 (1893–1894), when the Raza moved to Vitebsk, did the Rebbe Rashab's leadership formally begin.
Passing
During the summer months of 5668 (1908), the Raza fell ill. After the High Holidays of Tishrei 5669 his condition worsened, and on Thursday, 11 Cheshvan 5669 (November 4, 1908), he passed away at the age of fifty-one.
He is buried in the city of Vitebsk.
Family
- His daughter, Miss Dina Schneerson
- His daughter, Miss Sarah Wolfson
His Writings
Although he acted to destroy his writings — including his original Torah scholarship — several Chassidic discourses that he delivered have been preserved, having been recorded by those who heard them. Among these is a discourse he delivered on Shabbos, Parshas Bechukosai 5643 (May 1883), a short time after the passing of his father.[5]
The Raza delivered a discourse beginning with the words VaYisharna HaParos ("And the cows went straight"). In 5712 (1951–1952), the Rebbe stated that this discourse should be published, and recounted that the Rebbe Rayatz had instructed him to do so. In 5769 (2008–2009), the Rebbe's request was finally fulfilled and the discourse was published by the Otzar HaChassidim editorial team. See the External Links section below.
Further Reading
- HaRaza — The Life of the Holy Rabbi Shneur Zalman Aharon Schneerson, Son of the Rebbe Maharash of Lubavitch, edited by Rabbi Yisrael Barda — 5782 (2021–2022); second edition with corrections — 5783 (2022–2023).
External Links
- D. Zakles, The Life of the Raza — 19 Tammuz 5782 (July 18, 2022)
- Zalman Dubinsky, Revealed: Where to Hold the Rebbe's Son's Wedding? — a halachic responsum written by Rabbi Zivov to his father the Rebbe Maharash regarding the location of the wedding — Chabad Info
From his teachings:
- The Discourse VaYisharna HaParos — 5643 (1882–1883) — Kehot Publication Society, Brooklyn, N.Y., 5769 (2008–2009)
- A second discourse was published by the Otzar HaChassidim editorial team in 5782 (2021–2022) and is also included in the book HaRaza.
- ↑ HaKria VeHaKedusha, 5702 (1941–1942), p. 224.
- ↑ See, for example, the talk of Motzaei Yom Tov of Sukkos 5711 (1950), as well as Toras Menachem — Hisvaaduyos 5742 (1981–1982), Vol. 1, p. 313; 5747 (1986–1987), Vol. 2, p. 304; 5749 (1988–1989), Vol. 2, p. 431; and elsewhere.
- ↑ For further details about the wedding celebration, see the talk of the Rebbe Rayatz on 19 Kislev 5693 (December 8, 1932) — Likkutei Dibburim, Vol. 1, p. 15b.
- ↑ As explained at length in the monograph Toldos HaRaza.
- ↑ The Rebbe recounts the story of the discourses.