Levi Yitzchak Zalmanson

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Zalmanson, (5571/5572 - 25 Adar I 5632), was a grandson of the Mitteler Rebbe and son-in-law of the Tzemach Tzedek.

Life History

He was born at the end of 5571 or in the year 5572. His father was Rabbi Yekutiel Zalman Voles, son-in-law of the Mitteler Rebbe, and son of Rabbi Yosef Simcha Bunim, who was the son-in-law of R' Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev.

The Frierdiker Rebbe related that he had a strong talent for music. Despite the fact that his father Rabbi Yekutiel did not know how to play music, and neither did his grandfather Rabbi Yosef Bunim, he nevertheless inherited the musical sense from his great-grandfather Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev - who was known as a tremendous musician.

He married Rebbetzin Devorah Leah, daughter of the Tzemach Tzedek, on 13 Elul 5586.

He was the rav of the city of Velizh and head of the Chassidic yeshiva, later moving to Lubavitch where he became the rosh yeshiva of Lubavitch Yeshiva. Before that, he served as an examiner in the yeshiva.

He was a mechutan (in-law) of his brother-in-law, Rabbi Yisroel Noach Schneersohn. His son Shneur Zalmanson married Perla Devorah, daughter of R' Yisroel Noach. He was also brother-in-law to R' Yisroel Noach in another way, as his sister Freida was the wife of R' Yisroel Noach (his first wife of several).

In Beis Rebbi it is written about him: "He was a great man in Torah and Chassidus, and fear of Heaven was his treasure. He was a great sage and of high stature. Most of his days he was a merchant, and at the end of his days after the passing of our Rebbe [the Tzemach Tzedek], he was accepted as the rav in Velizh and was there for several years. Later he became ill and traveled to Vitebsk for treatment and passed away there, and there is his resting place."

The Frierdiker Rebbe wrote about him: "He was a vivacious person with exceptional talent and wonderful senses. A great scholar and a remarkable sage, and his influence as a person of high stature was extensive on all the Rebbe's children, who knew with certainty that besides his many distinctions, he was perfect in all his ways and a lover of righteousness."

He passed away on Tuesday, 25 Adar Rishon 5632 in Vitebsk, and there is his honored resting place.

Family

• His son, R' Shneur Zalmanson, married his cousin Rebbetzin Pearl Devorah, daughter of R' Yisroel Noach Schneersohn, son of the Tzemach Tzedek. His son was Leib. His daughter married R' Yisroel Asher Liba as a second marriage.
• His son, R' Yosef Chaim Zalmanson. He was sometimes a chazzan and baal tokea for the Rebbe Rashab. He was the son-in-law of the author of 'Magen Avot' from Kapust.
• His son, R' Mordechai DovBer. Mentioned in the Berditchev registry of 5618. His wife was Sarah. In a letter, the Tzemach Tzedek mentions him as living in Orsha.
• His daughter, Rebbetzin Rivka, wife of R' Yehuda Leib Knopf from Vitebsk. She passed away on 15 Iyar 5693.
• His daughter, Rebbetzin Peril, wife of R' Shneur Zalman Mordechai Schneersohn.