Mordechai Schneersohn

Rabbi Mordechai Schneerson (1835 (?) - 5 Tishrei 5668) was the son of Rabbi Baruch Shalom (son of The Rebbe The Tzemach Tzedek). He served as the head of the rabbinical court in Vitebsk, and was the great-uncle of the Rebbe.

Life History

He married Mrs. Henia, daughter of Rabbi Yitzchak Ribin from Dvinsk.

While still young, he was appointed as the rabbi of Vitebsk. He was accepted by all circles, and during his leadership, the third district of Vitebsk where his rabbinate was located developed significantly. About half of the city's Jews concentrated in this area, and he was considered the main Av Beit Din (head of the rabbinical court) of Vitebsk.

He was not afraid of anyone. When he was accepted as the rabbi in the city, and there was a need to forbid one of the city's shochtim (ritual slaughterers) from practicing, who had a large family and everyone feared him and he had many supporters, he was not intimidated. He came on Shabbat to pray in the butchers' beit midrash (study hall). After they honored him with the sixth aliyah, he grabbed the Torah scroll and said: "By the power of the Torah and by the power of my holy ancestors, I hereby forbid the shochet from slaughtering." A great uproar erupted in the place, and the entire city was astounded by the rabbi's courage, and his ruling was accepted.

In the Siddur rulings of Rabbi Chaim Naeh, it is quoted in his name that he testified that his grandfather, The Rebbe The Tzemach Tzedek, would say in the Grace After Meals "Harachaman Hu Yevarech Et Avi Mori" (May the Merciful One bless my father, my teacher) even after his parents passed away, since this is directed toward the ten Sefirot.

He passed away on 5 Tishrei 5668 at approximately the age of seventy-two. After his passing, The Rebbe Rashab took care to appoint a worthy rabbi in his place and of his stature, so that they would not be subject to an unworthy rabbi.

His Family

• His son, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Schneerson of Chashkiv
• His son, Mr. Yeshayahu Schneerson, Kishinev
• His daughter, Sheina Zalta, wife of Mr. Meir Rashel of Ulizh - in first marriage; Mr. Yosef Shochtman - in second marriage
• His daughter, Batya, wife of Mr. Noach Rabinowitz of Rakshik
• His daughter, Beila, wife of Rabbi Leib son of Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber Schneerson (of Retzitza) - in first marriage; Mr. Avraham Shapira of Stardov - in second marriage

External Links

• A photograph of his stamp on a Chassidic booklet that he kept in his possession