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Learning & Values Jewish History

Chassidic Personalities

Historical and biographical studies

Discover the famous – and some of the not-so-famous – chassidic personalities of the past three centuries. Learn how chassidism, and Chabad chassidism in particular, developed and became a monumental force in world Jewry.

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Lubavitcher Rebbe
R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch
Soviet War on Judaism
Soviet Era
Soviet Labor Camps
Communism
Cheder
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7,570 items in this section
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Lubavitcher Rebbe(457)
R. Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn of Lubavitch(208)
Soviet War on Judaism(181)
Soviet Era(163)
Soviet Labor Camps(159)
Communism(145)
Cheder(145)
R. Schneur Zalman of Liadi (Alter Rebbe)(138)
Stories; Storytelling(129)
R. Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch(124)
Baal Shem Tov(83)
Hayom Yom(51)
Tammuz 12-13(49)
Kabbalah & Chassidism(46)
R. Shmuel of Lubavitch(44)
R. Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch(42)
R. DovBer of Lubavitch (Mitteler Rebbe)(39)
R. Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev(36)
R. DovBer, the Maggid of Mezeritch(34)
Kislev 19(32)
Chassid(28)
Nigun(25)
Kabbalah(24)
Self Sacrifice(22)
Prayer(15)
Elul 18(15)
Ahavat Yisrael(14)
Prison; Imprisonment(14)
Courage(14)
Charity(12)
The Baal Shem Tov
The Baal Shem Tov
Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760), Founder of the Chassidic Movement
The Baal Shem Tov—A Brief Biography
Life and Times
The Baal Shem Tov's Teachings
Stories of the Baal Shem Tov
Reflections
Audio & Video
Take the Baal Shem Tov Quiz
15 Facts About the Baal Shem Tov
The Maggid of Mezritch
The Maggid of Mezritch
The Maggid of Mezeritch
Select Teachings
Stories
Videos
What Is a Maggid?
The Alter Rebbe
The Alter Rebbe
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812)
Life
Writings of the Alter Rebbe
On the Works of the Alter Rebbe
News & Opinion
Audio & Video
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev
The Spiritual Defender of the Jewish Nation
A Brief Biography
Stories
Teachings & Sayings
Rabbi Dovber,
Rabbi Dovber, "The Mitteler Rebbe"
Biographical Information
Selected Teachings
Stories
The Rebbe Speaks
The Tzemach Tzedek
The Tzemach Tzedek
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn of Lubavitch (1789-1866)
Life and Times
Teachings
The Rebbe Speaks
Melodies
Stories
Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch
Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch
The "Rebbe Maharash"
Teachings
Stories
Melodies
Biography
Rabbi Sholom DovBer Schneersohn
Rabbi Sholom DovBer Schneersohn (1860–1920)
The “Rebbe Rashab”
Life and Times
Teachings
Stories
Melodies
Videos
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn
The Sixth Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch, known as the "Frierdiker" or "Previous" Rebbe
Life & Times
Teachings & Writings
Arrest & Liberation
A Special Relationship
Succession & Legacy
Audio & Video
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (1878–1944)
The life and legacy of the Rebbe’s father
His Life and Times
His Torah Teachings
The Rebbe Speaks
The Rebbe Writes
The Rebbetzin Remembers
Videos
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak's Niggun
Yekaterinoslav Today
Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson
Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson (1880–1964)
The life and legacy of the Rebbe’s mother
Rebbetzin Chana's Biography
Rebbetzin Chana's Memoirs
Vignettes of her Life and Legacy
Videos
The Rebbe Speaks
Women's Special Mitzvot
Your Footsteps
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson (1901–1988)
The life and legacy of the Rebbe’s wife
A Life of Quiet Heroism
Vignettes of Royalty
22 Shevat and Beyond
Tributes to the Rebbetzin
The Jewish Birthday Campaign
Branches of the Chassidic Menorah - Volume 1
Branches of the Chassidic Menorah - Volume 1
Biographical Stories Based on the Essay Fathers of Chassidus by the Previos Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn נ"ע
Translated by Shimon Neubort; from the writings of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn of Lubavitch
Translator’s Introduction
Foreword
Fathers Of Chassidus
Supplements To "Fathers of Chassidus"
Branches of the Chassidic Menorah - Volume 2
Branches of the Chassidic Menorah - Volume 2
Translated by Shimon Neubort; from the writings of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn of Lubavitch
Translator’s Introduction
Editor’s Jottings
Chapter 1: Misnagdim and Maskilim
Chapter 2: The Alter Rebbe’s Public Service (1)
Chapter 2: The Alter Rebbe’s Public Service (2)
Chapter 3: Shimon of Zamut (1)
Chapter 3: Shimon of Zamut (2)
View All 16
The Chassidic Legacy
Links in the Chassidic Legacy
Translated by Shimon Neubort; from the writings of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn of Lubavitch
Translator's Introduction
Editor's Jottings
Introduction
Rashbatz
Reb Chanoch Hendel
Reb Avraham Ber
Reb "Y.M."
View All 15
The Making of Chassidim
The Making of Chassidim
A Letter Written by the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn
Translated by Shimon Neubort; from the writings of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn of Lubavitch
Translator’s Introduction
Editor’s Jottings
Prologue
Chapter One: Reb Simchah Zissel: Kalisk, Horodok, and Liozna
Chapter Two: Reb Mordechai and the Baal Shem Tov
Chapter Three: Reb Mordechai’s Foolish Fantasies
Chapter Four: Davening: the Avodah of a Chossid
View All 18
The Heroic Struggle
The Heroic Struggle
The Rebbe’s Prison Diary
From the writings of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch
Days of Light
Chapter I: The Arrest
Chapter II: Spalerno
Chapter III: In the Corridor
Chapter IV: The Interview
Chapter V: On the Staircase
Chapter VI: Prison Regulations
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A Prince in Prison
A Prince in Prison
The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Account of His Incarceration in Stalinist Russia in 1927
From the diary of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch
Publisher’s Foreword
Publisher’s Foreword by the Rebbe
A Letter of the Rebbe Rayatz On His Seven Terms of Imprisonment
The Imprisonment of 1927 - Part I
The Imprisonment of 1927 - Part II
The Imprisonment of 1927 - Part III (1-15)
The Imprisonment of 1927 - Part III (16-26)
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The Revolutionaries
The Revolutionaries
By Tzvi Freeman
"So why do you think Schneerson has his synagogue in a basement?" the old spy asked, tightening his wrinkled eyes. "The Schneersons don’t have money?"
17 Comments
The Man Who Mocked The KGB
The Man Who Mocked The KGB
By Moishe Levertov
Foreword
Historical Background
Family History
Moscow I
Moscow II
Wartime
Evacuation
View All 14
Samarkand Jewish Underground
Samarkand Jewish Underground
The Memoirs of Hilel Zaltzman
By Hillel Zaltzman
A Chassidic Education in Communist Russia
My Father's Youth
In Father's Home
My Mother’s Death and My Father’s Immigration to the Land of Israel
Noble Figures
Samarkand, the Height of Chabad
The High Holidays in Samarkand
View All 17
My Encounter with the Rebbe - Volume 1
My Encounter with the Rebbe - Volume 1
Personal Journals of Zalmon Jaffe's Visits to the Lubavitcher Rebbe
By Zalmon Jaffe
Introductary Remarks
Early Encounters (1951-1958)
First Visit (1959)
Second Visit (1960)
First Charter Flight (1961)
Second Charter Flight (1962)
Third Charter Flight (1963)
View All 14
My Encounter with the Rebbe - Volume 2
My Encounter with the Rebbe - Volume 2
Personal Journals of Zalmon Jaffe's Visits to the Lubavitcher Rebbe
By Zalmon Jaffe
Editor's Preface
Introduction
Shavuos 5773 (1973)
Winter 5734 (1973-1974)
Shavuos 5734 (1974)
Yud Shevat 5735 (1975)
Shavuos (and Tanya) 5735 (1975)
View All 9
Mr. Manchester
Mr. Manchester
Personal letters from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed memory, to Mr. Zalmon Jaffe
Correspondence by Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, The Lubavitcher Rebbe
Publisher’s Foreword
Editor’s Introduction
Rabbi Rein’s Visit
Maaser to Tzedokah
Increase in Torah study
Blessing for Business
Blessing for Son’s Bar Mitzvah
View All 208
Special Days on the Chassidic Calendar
Special Days on the Chassidic Calendar
19 Kislev: The "New Year" of Chassidism
10 Shevat
3 Tammuz
12-13 Tammuz
Chai Elul
5 Festive Highlights From the Chassidic Month of Kislev
5 Teves
10 Kislev: The Liberation of Rabbi DovBer
Latvian-Jewish Statesman, Chassid and Martyr: Mordechai Dubin
Latvian-Jewish Statesman, Chassid and Martyr: Mordechai Dubin
By Avraham Godin, translated and annotated by Dovid Margolin
Translator's Introduction
Chapter 1: Memories of a Righteous Man
Chapter 2: Dubin Becomes Leader of Latvian Jewry
Chapter 3: Saving the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Agudah Leader, and the Nationalist Regime
Chapter 4: The Second World War, Saving the Rebbe Again, and Soviet Occupation
Chapter 5: My Arrest and News of Dubin's Whereabouts
15 Facts About Reb Zusha of Anipoli
15 Facts About Reb Zusha of Anipoli
By Menachem Posner
Learn fascinating facts about Reb Zusha of Annipoli, who was one of the most beloved stars in the constellation of the third generation of Chassidic masters.
13 Comments
48 Wise and Deep Sayings of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk
48 Wise and Deep Sayings of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk
By Menachem Posner
Rabbi Menachem Mendel was a legendary, reclusive and acerbic leader of Polish Chassidic Jewry.
15 Comments
Biographies of the Rebbes from
Biographies of the Rebbes from "Challenge"
From Challenge
The Baal Shem Tov
The Maggid of Mezeritch
The Alter Rebbe
The Mitteler Rebbe
The Tzemach Tzedek
The Rebbe Maharash
The Rebbe Rashab
The Rebbe Rayatz
The Fascinating Tale of the Rebbe Doctor of Pietrekov
The Fascinating Tale of the Rebbe Doctor of Pietrekov
By Levik Gourarie
2 Comments
The Life and Teachings of Reb Nochum of Chernobyl
The Life and Teachings of Reb Nochum of Chernobyl
Rabbi Menachem Nochum Twersky (1730 - 1798)
By Boruch Twersky
8 Comments
18 Facts About Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
18 Facts About Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
By Menachem Posner
The founder and sole Rebbe of Breslov, R. Nachman’s earthy and relatable teachings continue to touch hearts and light up thousands of souls to this very day.
4 Comments
The Life and Teachings of Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk
The Life and Teachings of Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk
By Boruch Twersky
Learn about the life of Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk, whose powerful example set a template for inspired leadership that became standard in Chassidic courts throughout Poland and Galicia.
The Life and Teachings of the Holy Ruzhiner Rebbe
The Life and Teachings of the Holy Ruzhiner Rebbe
Rabbi Yisrael Friedman of Ruzhin (1796-1850)
By Boruch Twersky
Rabbi Yisrael Friedman of Ruzhin, referred to as the Heiliger Ruzhiner, “the holy one of Ruzhin,” was royalty of the Chassidic movement.
9 Facts about Odel, the Baal Shem Tov's Daughter
9 Facts about Odel, the Baal Shem Tov's Daughter
The “First Lady” of the Chassidic Movement
By Levik Gourarie
Learn about the Baal Shemtov's only daughter, Udel, who plays a unique role in early Chassidic history.
7 Comments