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Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812)
Founder of Chabad
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Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi -- also known as "The Alter Rebbe," "Baal HaTanya" and "The Rav" -- was born in the White Russian town of Liozna on Elul 18, 5505 (1745) -- the 47th birthday of the founder of Chassidism, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov. In 1764 he traveled to Mezeritch to study under the
tutelage of the Baal Shem Tov's successor, Rabbi DovBer. Despite his youth,
he was accepted into the inner circle of the great master's pupils.
Upon his return from Mezeritch, there gathered about him a group of disciples whom he instructed in the ways of Chassidism. It was during these years that he formulated his distinct "Chabad" philosophy and approach to life. For twenty years he labored on his magnum opus, Tanya, in which he outlined the Chabad philosophy and ethos. First published in 1796, Tanya is the "bible" of Chabad Chassidism, upon which the hundreds of books and thousands of maamarim (discourses) by seven generations of Chabad Rebbes are based. Soon Rabbi Schneur Zalman's influence had spread throughout White Russia and Lithuania, where a significant part of the Jewish population regarded him as their Rebbe and leader.
Today, the Chabad movement he founded is regarded as the most vibrant force in contemporary Jewish life, bringing the warmth of Chassidism and the profundity of its teachings to Jews, and to humanity as a whole, in every corner of the globe.
More on Rabbi Schneur Zalman and his teachings:
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The Fork in the Road
From the writings & talks of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch
"In Vilna one was taught how to study," recalled the Rebbe. "In Mezeritch one could learn
how to pray..." | |
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Spicy Food
By Yanki Tauber
One day about 200 years ago there was a fire in hell. The whole place burned down. It was bound to happen, with those infernal fires burning night and day and the old devils getting careless over the years...  1 Comment | |
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Faith and Reason
By Yanki Tauber
The fact that you cannot rationally understand something is no reason not to study it. | |
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The Longer Shorter Way
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
As the most direct and simple line between two points, it is misleadingly the surest way to town; but in truth, the "direct approach" is a dead end | |
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Man as Verb
The truth about the Tanya
By Tzvi Freeman
I'll let you in on a little surprise: Who says that yourself is the real you? Maybe the real you is not a subject, not an object, but a verb? Maybe the real you is to be found not in who you are but in those things you need to do? 21 Comments | |
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Alienation and Faith
By Jonathan Sacks
We detect two tendencies of thought on the place of alienation and loneliness in the Jewish analysis of the emotions: Rabbi J.B. Soloveitchik's The Lonely Man of Faith, and the famous chapter 32 of Rabbi Shcneur Zalman's Tanya. To state this contrast is not to formulate an opposition; simply to open another gate... 4 Comments | |
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Kislev 19
The "New Year" of Chassidism
The 19th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev marks the "birth" of Chassidism: the day it was allowed to emerge from the womb of mysticism into the light of day, to grow and develop as an integral part of Torah and Jewish life 1 Comment | |
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The Passing of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi
From the writings & talks of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch
"If Bonaparte will be victorious," the Rebbe wrote, "Jewish wealth will increase and prestige of the Jewish people will be raised; but their hearts will disintegrate and be distanced from their Father in Heaven..." | |
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A Brief Biography
From Challenge
Few luminaries in Jewish history, particularly in modern times, have made as lasting and profound a contribution to our spiritual heritage as Rabbi Shneur Zalman. | |
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Lessons in Tanya
By Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), founder of Chabad Chassidism (Free Translation)
Written by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), the founder of Chabad, Tanya is the central text of Chabad Chassidism. Its stated aim is to show a path to realizing one's purpose and developing a deeper relationship with G-d. 11 Comments | |
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