Yehoshua Fishel Schneersohn

Professor Yehoshua Fishel Schneersohn (4 Tammuz 5648 / 1888 - 5 Sivan 5718 / 1958) was a member of the Chabad-Kopust Rebbes' family who specialized in philosophy and sciences, primarily in psychology. He was an accomplished writer, and among his works wrote titles related to the world of Chabad chassidus.

Professor Yehoshua Fishel Schneersohn

Life History

He was born to Rabbi Shneur Zalman Schneersohn, who was the rabbi of Homel and Starodub in the Russian Empire, son of Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn (of Retzitza), grandson of the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek.

In his childhood, he studied in the local cheder and yeshiva, and at age 17 received rabbinical ordination. Afterward, he went to study at the gymnasium in Homel and graduated with distinction. He studied medicine at the University of Berlin and received a doctoral degree from the Military Academy in Petersburg.

In 1920, he was appointed professor at the local university in Kiev, where he founded a faculty of medical pedagogy and became its dean. He edited a Hebrew quarterly called "Kadima" dedicated to the psychology and philosophy of religion, of which only one issue was published. He published his book "The Intimate Psychology of the Child" (2 parts), (first in Russian and later in German, Yiddish, and partially in Hebrew), as well as his book "The Catastrophic Era and the Growing Generation."

In 1921, he moved to Warsaw, where he worked in children's psycho-hygiene and was appointed as a department head in this field. He participated in editing the pedagogical-psychological monthly "Tarbut." In 1922, he moved to Berlin and established a psycho-hygienic station there as well. He published, with others, the quarterly for sociology and philosophy of culture called "Etas." He also published in German (and later in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English) his book (which later became the foundation of his method, "The Way to Man, Foundations of 'Psychological Human Science' and the Theory of Nervousness"), and the book "New Ways in Social Psychology" in Hebrew and Yiddish. During those years, he published the historical novel "Chaim Grabitzer" in Yiddish, which was later translated into Hebrew by Avraham Shlonsky and published by "Schocken."

In 1927, he moved to the United States and continued to work in children's psycho-hygiene. He was appointed as a lecturer in psychology at a teachers' seminary and published a Yiddish quarterly called "Mentsh-Vissenschaft" (Human Science). During these years, he published two novels in Yiddish: "Karohad" (Dance) and "Di Yiddishe Nekama" (The Jewish Revenge).

In 1933, he returned to Warsaw, where he founded a psycho-hygienic station under the health association 'TOZ,' and there published his books in Yiddish: "Intimate Medical Pedagogy," "The Psychology of Israel and the Nations," and the novel "Grenadier Strasse" (later translated into Hebrew as "Johann Katner").

In 1937, he immigrated to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Tel Aviv, where he was appointed to the position of psychological and educational management in the Tel Aviv municipality. During these years, he treated children with developmental delays. He worked to preserve Shabbos observance and the religious character of the city. He passed away on Erev Shavuos, 5 Sivan 5718, May 24, 1958, and was buried in the Nachalat Yitzchak cemetery, near the burial site of the Chernobyl Rebbes.

His Connection with Chabad

His Lineage to Chabad Rebbes

Born on 4 Tammuz 5648 (1888) to his father Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Starodub, who was the rabbi of the Chassidic towns of Repka, Homel, and Starodub, and a friend of the Rebbe Rashab. His grandfather was the Rebbe Shalom Ber of Rechitsa, son of Rabbi Maharil of Kopust, who was the son of the Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek.

With Chabad Rebbes

He maintained a connection with the Rebbe Rayatz and met with him several times. Among Chassidim, it is accepted that when the Rebbe Rayatz's doctors recommended that he share what was in his heart with a friend, he chose Fishel. In the Igrot Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, there are several letters to Fishel Schneerson (and about him). In one letter, the Rebbe Rayatz invites him to visit in Marienbad (where he was planning to go for rest), "where we will have more free time, and take pleasure in speaking more together." In a letter from 5700 (1940), the Rebbe Rayatz refers to Fishel Schneerson as: "My honorable friend, the scholar known for praise and glory, possessing outstanding qualities, of noble lineage, Rabbi Fishel, known as Professor Schneersohn." In another letter, the Rebbe Rayatz wishes Fishel Schneerson mazel tov on his engagement.

Later, when he lived in Tel Aviv, he sat in a Chassidic farbrengen without saying a word. The Chassidim who knew that he treasured within himself countless conversations with the previous Rebbe tried to encourage him to speak, but without success. Only after much mashke and various pleadings did he agree to share what the Rebbe had told him: "Before reciting the bedtime Shema, I think about each and every one of the Chassidim, and what they need physically and spiritually." This story became one of the cornerstones in the connection between a Chassid and his Rebbe.

According to Mrs. Tova Shechter, Fishel Schneerson's daughter, her father felt a close connection and great appreciation for the Rebbe Rayatz. She remembers how after the passing of the Rebbe Rayatz, she saw for the only time in her life her father crying bitterly and even sitting shiva for the Rebbe Rayatz and observing mourning customs, an expression of his special closeness to the Rebbe Rayatz and the world of Chabad Chassidus.

In a letter to Rabbi Avraham Pariz, the Rebbe instructs him to send his son (Shalom Ber), who was suffering from severe emotional distress, for treatment with Fishel Schneersohn who "understands the spirit of the Chabad young man," alongside the concern that mental health therapists would not understand the mindset of the yeshiva student.

In the Literary Field

He authored books on various topics. Among them are books on Chassidic history (like "The Power of Advocacy"), Chassidic stories ("Chassidic Revelation Stories"), many books on child psychology, psychology following the Holocaust, and more. He was engaged in writing articles and booklets about Chassidic life, naturally remembering and preserving many Chassidic stories that had not reached the ears of Chassidim and were known only to the Rebbe's household. His writings showed an affection for Chabad Chassidus despite having left it.

One of his well-known works is the prose "Chaim Grabitzer" in which he describes the mental processes of a Chassid in the depths of Chabad Chassidus, his difficulties and crises. In total, there are dozens of titles written by Professor Schneerson today.

From his books:

• Chassidic Revelation Stories
• Chaim Grabitzer
• The Power of Advocacy
• The Doctor and the Philosopher

The Rebbe's References to His Books

When Fishel sent the Rebbe his book "Chassidic Revelation Stories," the Rebbe welcomed his book and even replied with a special letter. In the letter, the Rebbe writes to him, among other things, about the disadvantage in transferring a story from one vessel to another and the need to maintain the originality of the story as told by the person who experienced it. When the writer wants to insert his own interpretation - the Rebbe continues - he should first bring the story exactly as written and then add his interpretation, and both should be maintained. Likewise, when Fishel wrote his book "The Power of Advocacy," the Rebbe assisted him in obtaining details and information related to the events discussed in the book.

His Gravesite

His Passing

Passed away on the eve of Shavuot 5718 (1958).

His Family

He was married to Mrs. Chana Reisel née Reiss, from the city of Kovno in Lithuania. After settling in Tel Aviv, she served as a legal advisor to the Tel Aviv Rabbinate, and worked on making peace in Jewish homes. The couple had one daughter - Mrs. Tova, who was married to Rabbi Yitzchak Shechter.

External Links

• 'The Professor of the Schneerson Family,' Rabbi Baruch Shalom Klein, Shturem.net.

Further Reading

• Chaim Grabitzer, Yediot Achronot edition 5763, afterword about the author by Nathaniel Lederberg.