The Rebbe Rashab

Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn - The Rebbe Rashab (20 Cheshvan 5621 - 2 Nissan 5680) was the fifth Nasi in the golden chain of Chabad Rebbeim, the son of the Rebbe Maharash and Rebbetzin Rivka. He founded Yeshivas Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitch, the mother of all Chabad yeshivos worldwide. Known as "the Rambam of Chassidus" for his systematic and comprehensive approach to explaining Chassidic concepts.

Early Years and Childhood

Born in Lubavitch on Monday, Parshas Chayei Sarah, 20 Cheshvan 5621. His birth was preceded by remarkable dreams experienced by his mother Rebbetzin Rivka, in which she was visited by her mother Rebbetzin Chaya Sarah and her grandfather, the Mitteler Rebbe, who instructed her and the Rebbe Maharash to write a Sefer Torah and promised them a "good son."

His bris was held on 26 Kislev 5621, delayed by hora'a of the Tzemach Tzedek. He was named Shalom DovBer after his zeidim - Reb Shalom Shachna Altshuler and the Mitteler Rebbe (DovBer). The Tzemach Tzedek explained the name's inner meaning according to Chassidus at the bris.

His upsherin took place on 20 Cheshvan 5624, conducted b'tznius (privately) as per the Tzemach Tzedek's instruction. The night before, he slept in the Tzemach Tzedek's room. In the morning, the Tzemach Tzedek instructed Reb Chaim Ber Chaimson to wash the child's hands, and said birchos hashachar with him.

He entered cheder on the day of his upsherin, learning in a room adjacent to the small beis medrash near the Tzemach Tzedek. During the celebration, the Tzemach Tzedek threw candies, saying they were from Malach Michael. With pure temimus, the young Rashab wouldn't eat them until Erev Pesach when reminded.

The Rebbe Maharash testified: "My son the Rashab was never a naar. Even in his youth, he was a yerei Shamayim, organized, and worked with tremendous yegiah that his hanhaga should be b'darchei haChassidus. By his bar mitzvah, he was already a chossid with a structured avodah."

Early Achievements

By age five, he showed extraordinary hasmada. At age eight, he began attending the Rebbe Maharash's maamarim, and by age nine, his father began teaching him p'nimius. Before his bar mitzvah, he was already boki in all of Tanach, Shisha Sidrei Mishna, and Shulchan Aruch.

At age 14, he knew all of Seder Nashim by heart. In 5635, he began serving as a chozer for his father the Rebbe Maharash, transcribing hanachos of the maamarim.

Marriage

The shidduch between the Rebbe Rashab and his cousin Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah was suggested by his zeide the Tzemach Tzedek when he was only four years old.

Before the chasunah, following the minhag Beis HaRav, the Rebbe Maharash instructed his son to be tested and receive semicha. The Rebbe Maharash wanted the chasunah to be in Lubavitch, which he called "the Yerushalayim of golus," but due to various circumstances, it took place in Avrutch.

The chasunah was celebrated on Motzei Shabbos Parshas Teitzei, 11 Elul 5635, in Avrutch. The Rebbe Maharash himself couldn't attend due to his health but sent deep maamarim and horaos with profound significance.

Accepting the Nesius

On 13 Tishrei 5643, the Rebbe Maharash was nistalek, deeply affecting the Rebbe Rashab. The process of accepting the nesius lasted approximately eleven years. A few days after the histalkus, on the second day of Sukkos, 16 Tishrei, the Rebbe Rashab delivered his first maamar beginning with "Kesser Yitnu L'cha." He said another maamar on Chanukah. These maamarim were transcribed and sent to the Chassidim, who received them with great simcha.

During the year of aveilus, the Rebbe Rashab conducted himself with unique hanhagos: He would daven in his father's room, and after davening would close the door and remain there the entire day - learning, eating, and sleeping there. He wouldn't receive anyone or respond to questions seeking eitzos. He dedicated all his time to tefillah and limud haTorah, focused on hisbodedus and inner avodah.

In 5650, he began receiving people for yechidus temporarily. On Rosh Hashanah 5654, he started davening in his father's regular place, accepting Chassidim for yechidus regularly, and responding in writing to Chassidim's she'eilos. He also began allowing his maamarim to be transcribed for hafatzah among the Chassidim.

Public Service Activities

In his leadership period, he worked extensively to improve the physical and spiritual condition of Jews in general and Russian Jews in particular. He first began engaging in public service in 1880, updating his father regarding decrees against Russian Jews. In 1892, the Russian government decided to expel all Jews from Moscow. The Rebbe Rashab tried various ways to cancel the decree, but without success. However, during the decree's implementation, he ensured Moscow's Jews were settled in suitable locations.

In 1895, The Rebbe Rashab became more involved in public service, mainly strengthening Colel Chabad in Eretz Hakodesh. In 1897, he began working against the establishment of Haskalah movement schools, trying to prevent a school from being established in Lubavitch by appealing to Baron Naftali Hertz Ginzburg. After the school was established, he tried to prevent funding and launched a campaign on the matter.

In 1902, he established a weaving and spinning factory in Dubrovna to employ Jews, requesting support from the Jewish organization ICA to finance the factory.

During the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), The Rebbe Rashab ensured matzos and Pesach necessities for Jewish soldiers in the Russian army. In 1905, he established a special committee for this matter. That summer, during a Colel Chabad conference, he first proposed establishing a Chabad yeshiva in Chevron. Toras Emes Yeshiva was founded several years later in 1912 in Beis Romano in Chevron.

In 1905, a rabbinical assembly was held in Vilna, where the government demanded rabbis study secular subjects. During the assembly, The Rebbe Rashab stated:

"All nations must know that only our bodies were given to exile and government subjugation, but our souls were not given to exile and government subjugation. We must declare openly that regarding our religion, Torah, mitzvos and Jewish customs, no authority or coercive force can be used against us Jews. We must declare with the strongest Jewish stubbornness, with the thousand-year-old Jewish mesiras nefesh - do not touch my anointed ones and do not harm my prophets!"

In 1910, a general rabbinical assembly was held in Petersburg by the authorities, dealing with fundamental questions about the Jewish people's physical and material condition. 42 representatives of Russian Jewish communities participated, through which government officials sought to establish regulations opposing traditional customs, primarily regarding religious rabbis' status.

During the assembly, government representatives threatened pogroms throughout the country if rabbis wouldn't compromise. The Rebbe Rashab responded:

"We are not afraid of this at all, since there is no heavenly decree for this heaven forbid"

The Rebbe Rashab took active part in the Beilis trial, establishing a special committee to defend Mendel Beilis.

Opposition to Zionism

The Rebbe Rashab was among prominent Jewish leaders who opposed Zionism. He encouraged publishing the book "Or L'Yesharim" presenting gedolei Yisroel's opposition to Zionism, writing: "If heaven forbid they succeed in holding the land as they imagine, they will defile and contaminate it with their abominations and evil deeds, lengthening the exile." Initially among Agudas Yisroel's founders, he left due to its closeness to Zionism and broad emphasis on aliyah regardless of spiritual condition.

Much of his public work was done in cooperation with leading Admorim and rabbis like R' Chaim of Brisk, R' Chaim Ozer Grodzinski and the Chofetz Chaim, maintaining regular correspondence with some and occasionally meeting several of them.

Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva

"The Rebbe Rashab, besides his great holiness and righteousness as leader of Chabad chassidim, was known from his youth among Chabad maskilim as an extraordinary genius in Chabad teachings. Elder chassidim crowned The Rebbe Rashab as 'The Rambam of Chabad teachings' as every topic explained in his Chabad teachings and discourses is established halacha arranged with all reasoning and explanations properly ordered."

On Sunday 15 Elul 1897, during his son the Rayatz's sheva brachos, The Rebbe Rashab called a conference of fifty leading rabbis and wealthy individuals then in Lubavitch for the wedding, announcing his decision to establish Tomchei Tmimim Yeshiva. The yeshiva's innovation would be students' analytical study of Chassidus and following its ways. The students, called "Tmimim," would be a center of G-d-fearing, genuine heartfelt divine service. Two days later, on Tuesday 17 Elul, The Rebbe Rashab chose the first 18 students.

Three years after establishing the yeshiva, on Simchas Torah 1901, The Rebbe Rashab gave a talk to Tmimim students based on Chazal's statement "Anyone going to war for Beis Dovid writes a divorce document for his wife." He explained the Tmimim students' purpose and established additional points in their required work as soldiers of Beis Dovid.

Health

The Rebbe Rashab had a weak constitution and often fell ill. Consequently, he spent much time traveling to health resorts and specialist doctors. In 1884, he first began traveling to healing places, mainly warm coastal countries. In 1886, he went to the Yalta mountains, uniquely bringing his whole family unlike other journeys.

His father the Maharash's passing broke his spirit and weakened him physically. In his twenties, he had to leave home for health resorts to be examined by top doctors and strengthen himself in restful places. Except rarely, he never took his son.

In Kislev 1891, he fell severely ill with fever for about two months. The first month he was confined to his room, emerging for prayer on 24 Teves. That summer he traveled three times (each for five days) to nearby Mazinkes village for his health. After Chanukah 1897, he had to travel to Moscow for healing. Doctors then gave him only months to live, leading him to decide to either move to Eretz Yisroel or relocate somewhere he could study Torah and serve alone.

In winter 1903, he traveled to Vienna with his son the Rayatz and met Dr. Sigmund Freud due to loss of feeling in his left hand. Freud gave The Rebbe Rashab electrical treatment and they discussed various matters. In their conversation, the Rebbe explained how to connect mind and heart so the mind could spiritually enrich the heart.

End of Life

Move to Rostov

In Cheshvan 5676 (1915), the Rebbe Rashab left Lubavitch and moved to Rostov due to World War I.

Passing

In winter 5680 (1920), the Bolsheviks captured Rostov after a long civil war. Due to dangerous roads and the occupation, the court diminished and the Rebbe requested people not come. Prayers and maamarim were conducted with minimal minyanim.

At the end of Adar, the Rebbe Rashab fell ill. On Motzei Shabbos, the eve of 2 Nissan 5680 (1920) at 4am, it was clear these were his final moments. His eyes closed in dveikus and his breathing weakened. The Frierdiker Rebbe cried out "Tatte! Tatte!" several times. When he stopped breathing and the Frierdiker Rebbe called out again, the Rebbe opened his eyes, looked at him, and two tears fell from his holy eyes before closing again. The Rebbe Rashab straightened his head, arranged his hands and feet, and his holy soul ascended in holiness and purity.

After the passing, the Chevra Kadisha called some Anash to choose an appropriate burial place. R' Moshe Dober Rivkin, R' Shmuel Gurary, R' Nosson Gurary, R' Tzvi Hirsh Gurary, R' Zalman Havlin, and R' Y. Levin decided to bury him near the shamash's house. The Frierdiker Rebbe came and approved the location.

The elders and respected Anash performed the tahara. They reported that the Rebbe Rashab's holy face maintained vitality throughout, with a slight smile on his lips. A burial coffin was built from the bima boards of the beis medrash and the Rebbe Rashab's shtender. Besides shrouds, he was wrapped in the Shabbos tallis he prayed with in his final days.

All Rostov Jews participated in the funeral. Before burial, the Frierdiker Rebbe designated R' Avrohom Boruch Pozner, R' Eliezer Krasik and another chossid as a special beis din, stating the burial was conditional and he retained rights to transfer the holy remains to his ancestors' graves in Lubavitch. An ohel was erected over the Rebbe Rashab's grave.

Moving the Ohel

In winter 5699 (1939), Rostov authorities planned to destroy the cemetery to build new buildings. The chassidim decided to move the ohel to another cemetery on Takucheva Street 155. The Frierdiker Rebbe approved the transfer. Instructions for handling the holy remains came from R' Levi Yitzchok Schneerson (the Rebbe's father).

The actual transfer took place in Adar 5700 (1940) by a minyan of chassidim including: R' Tzemach Kutman, R' Mendel Kantor (the Rebbe's attendant), R' Moshe Wolf Labak, R' Nachman Lokshin, R' Avrohom Katznelson, R' Yona Eidelkop, and R' Chaim Yisroel Epstein. No monument was erected at the new cemetery. The marker for the Rebbe Rashab's resting place was a tree at his head and a mound of earth. To prevent others from being buried next to the Rebbe, the chassidim made six additional earth mounds as if others were buried there.

In 5749 (1989), with the Rebbe's approval, the monument and fence were erected by R' Dovid Nachshon and R' Avi Taub.

After the passing, his only son, the Frierdiker Rebbe, assumed leadership.

His Shluchim in Russia

The Rebbe Rashab sent mature or married Tomchei Tmimim graduates as his shluchim to Russian communities to strengthen Yiddishkeit.

His Shluchim to Sefardic Jews

The Rebbe Rashab worked among Sefardic Jews through shluchim:

• Georgia - sent R' Shmuel Levitin, R' Avrohom Levi Slavin and others
• Bukhara - sent R' Shlomo Yehuda Leib Eliezrov and R' Avrohom Chaim Naeh to Samarkand
• Caucasus - sent R' Shemaryahu Sasonkin

His Picture

The Rebbe Rashab was particular about not being photographed. The only time he agreed was in 5680 (1920), near his passing, when there were plans for the Rebbe and family to travel from Rostov. For passport purposes he was photographed, which is the known picture of him.

The Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka noted the picture didn't capture his true appearance. Therefore R' Nachum Yitzchok Kaplan drew the Rebbe Rashab's likeness from memory wearing a shtreimel. After the Rebbetzin's corrections, she expressed satisfaction.

In 5780 (2020), a new picture was discovered with Hebrew writing "Rabbi Shalom Dober Schneerson 5668" and in Russian "Moscow 1908". Discussion arose whether it was indeed the Rebbe Rashab or a relative.

His Nigunim

1. Min Hametzar - on verses before shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah
2. Brochos Before Tekios - on blessings before shofar blowing
3. Verses After Tekios - on verses after shofar blowing
4. Rostov Nigun - sung during his time in Rostov
5. Preparation for 4 Bavos - nigun beloved to him, sung as preparation for the 4 Bavos nigun

His Seforim

1. Igros Kodesh - his letters, published in six volumes
2. B'Shaah Shehikdimu 5672 - long hemshech explaining core Chassidic concepts
3. Sefer HaMaamarim - series of his maamarim during his leadership
4. Sefer HaSichos Toras Shalom - his sichos from farbrengens during holidays
5. Hagahos on Posach Eliyahu - 5658
6. Kuntreisim:
   • Chanoch L'Naar - his first will
   • Kuntres U'Maayan - series on the posuk "U'maayan m'beis Hashem"
   • Kuntres HaTefillah - extensive explanation on prayer
   • Kuntres Eitz HaChaim - written for Tomchei Tmimim students
   • Kuntres HaAvodah - for Tmimim on proper avodas Hashem Also wrote an article for Ohr L'Yesharim

His Family

• His only son, R' Yosef Yitzchok - the Frierdiker Rebbe
• Granddaughter Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka, the Rebbe's wife
• Granddaughter Chana Gurary
• Granddaughter Sheina Horenstein

Further Reading

Early Years

• Secret meeting in the Tzemach Tzedek's holy room - Beis Moshiach magazine Kislev 5781
• The early years, childhood period - Kfar Chabad 1882
• Rebbe Rashab's tenaim - Beis Moshiach 206
• R' Zalman Hertzel on the Rebbe Rashab and Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah's wedding

Accepting Leadership

• R' Menachem Ziegelboim on Rebbe Rashab accepting leadership - Beis Moshiach 595

Passing

• R' Moshe Dober Rivkin's "Ishkavta D'Rebbi" - Documentation of final illness, passing and funeral
• R' Shneur Zalman Berger, Chabad Community in Rostov - Beis Moshiach 595
• The Mashpia Who Never Returned - Passing account by R' Avrohom Boruch Pozner
• Passing and Ohel of Rebbe Rashab - Beis Moshiach 273
• Rebbetzin Shterna Sarah's letter to R' Shmuel Bezpalov about the passing
• Passing and funeral of Rebbe Rashab - Lev Ha'Ari
• R' Shneur Zalman Berger - Documentation of moving Rebbe Rashab's Ohel
• R' Menachem Ziegelboim's "Estalak Yekara" - Stories of Chabad Rebbes' passing
• R' Elishiv Kaplan's "Inside the Exile" - Jewish community in Rostov