Zalman Moshe HaYitzchaki
Reb Shneur Zalman Moshe HaYitzchaki was one of the greatest mashpiim among Chabad chassidim in the recent generation, known primarily for his sharp style of expression. He earned his livelihood as a shochet, and in his later years lived in Eretz Yisroel. He received the title 'zatza"l' from the Rebbe.
Life History
Born in 1873 in Nevel, Russia, to Reb Dov Ber HaYitzchaki and Mrs. Rachel HaYitzchaki, where he received his chassidic education.
He married Mrs. Necheh Reines in Zhembin in 1897. The Reines were a deeply rooted Chabad family from Zhembin. He established his residence there and became one of the prominent mashpiim in the chassidic landscape, while working as a shochet and bodek like his father.
R' Zalman Moshe was a central figure in Nevel due to his personality, his famous farbrengens, and his tremendous influence.
He would often say that while a shochet who is drunk may not shecht, a shochet who doesn't say l'chaim certainly may not shecht, as he surely isn't yerei shamayim... R' Zalman Moshe would farbreng every Thursday night since he didn't shecht the next day. When R' Zalman Moshe farbrenged, he indeed said l'chaim properly, and when in good spirits would speak pearls of wisdom...
When his eldest daughter reached marriageable age, he asked the Frierdiker Rebbe for the merit of a tamim as a son-in-law. The Rebbe replied: "On your way to the slaughterhouse, think Chassidus." From then on, R' Zalman Moshe was careful to think Chassidus while walking, despite it being in the dark hours of night, in Nevel's muddy ground, when walking required great care and attention. He merited a tamim son-in-law - R' Avraham Drizin, who later became a mashpia and director of Tomchei Tmimim yeshivos in the Soviet Union and Eretz Yisroel.
In Eretz Yisroel
In 1935 he immigrated to Eretz Yisroel and settled in Tel Aviv. R' Zalman Moshe maintained his style of farbrengens, continuing as he was accustomed to in Russia, with sharp language and direct words that pierced heart and soul.
Anash in Tel Aviv, unaccustomed to such sharp farbrengen style, began sending letters of complaint to the Frierdiker Rebbe about R' Zalman Moshe. Some say the Rebbe fully supported him, writing to the complaining chassidim: "All of the above has caused me great pain and distress, as I see the poor treatment... of my dear beloved students who are like sons to me... It is unnecessary to repeat what I wrote in my previous letter in praise of my dear students, precious to my heart, each one of them a treasure of yiras shamayim, refined middos and ahavas Yisroel..." However, some question this letter's connection to this incident.
In the early 1940s, R' Zalman Moshe suffered physical paralysis affecting his speech. Consequently, he moved in with his son R' Shmuel HaYitzchaki in Tel Aviv. From 1950 he lived with his son-in-law, R' Avraham Mayor, in Kfar Chabad. Despite his paralysis, his speech was normal during davening.
He passed away on 3 Shevat 1952 and was buried in the old cemetery in Tzfas.
In a letter of condolence after his passing, the Rebbe wrote about him "RZM zatza"l" (R' Zalman Moshe zecher tzaddik livracha)!
Family
- His son - R' Shmuel HaYitzchaki - Tel Aviv
- His daughter - Mrs. Sarah - wife of the mashpia R' Avraham Drizin (Mayor)
- His daughter - Mrs. Feya - wife of R' Meir Borovsky, passed away on 3 Tishrei 1983
Further Reading
- R' Yosef Yitzchak Kaminetzky (his great-grandson), "Anoshim Chassidim Hayu" - biographical book covering his life history and family
- Zalman Ruderman, "Chassidim Anshei Maaseh", pp. 139-145
- A Chossid's Life in A Chassidisher Derher magazine (English)