The Legacy of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi: Founder of Chabad

On the 18th of Elul, 1745, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi was born in the town of Liozna, Russia, to his father, Rabbi Baruch, a devoted follower of the Baal Shem Tov.

It is told that even before Rabbi Shneur Zalman was born, the Baal Shem Tov gave precise instructions to his parents about how to raise and educate him.

As a child, Rabbi Shneur Zalman was recognized as a prodigy. The Baal Shem Tov advised his parents to keep his wisdom hidden from the public eye.

Records from the community of Liozna state that at the young age of five, Rabbi Shneur Zalman was considered a leading figure in the city’s public affairs. By the time he reached bar mitzvah, he was officially listed as a distinguished member of the community leaders. The city's elders gave him remarkable titles even seasoned scholars rarely received.

Beyond his exceptional Torah knowledge, Rabbi Shneur Zalman was also a master of science. He resolved two complex problems that had baffled local professors and experts, who praised his talents and knowledge.

At the age of 18 or 20, he journeyed to Mezeritch, where the Maggid of Mezeritch, Rabbi Dov Ber, led the Chassidic movement as the successor of the Baal Shem Tov. Rabbi Shneur Zalman quickly became his leading disciple.

The Maggid of Mezeritch praised Rabbi Shneur Zalman in his writings, saying, "The judgment of my veteran student, Rabbi Zalmina, the author of the Shulchan Aruch, is like a small prophecy, and whatever he decrees will be carried out. He would have been outstanding even in the generation of the Baal Shem Tov."

In 1773, after the passing of the Maggid of Mezeritch, Rabbi Shneur Zalman was appointed to oversee the Chassidic activities. Three years later, he became president of Chassidism in Lithuania.

In 1799, Rabbi Shneur Zalman was arrested by the Russian czarist authorities as part of their oppression of European Jews. He was imprisoned for 53 days and sentenced to death, accused of rebellion against the government.

On the 19th of Kislev that year, he proved his innocence and was released with honor and victory. Chabad Chassidim celebrate this day as a day of liberation, calling it "Chanukah Gaulah."

In the later years, Napoleon's army advanced towards Russia. On the eve of 1st Elul, 1812, Rabbi Shneur Zalman decided to flee from his town to avoid him.

For several months, Rabbi Shneur Zalman and his family, accompanied by a group of Chassidim, wandered until they reached the village of Pyene in the month of Tevet that year. In Pyene, he fell ill and on the night following Shabbat, Parshat Shemot, on the 24th of Tevet 1813, his pure soul ascended to the heavens, and he was laid to rest in the distant town of Haditch.

The day of Rabbi Shneur Zalman’s passing is known as an auspicious time when he brings about "salvation amongst the earth."