Today: Yahrzeit of Alter Rebbe

By Chabad.org

The founder of Chabad Chassidism, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), was born in the White Russian town of Liozna on Elul 18, 5505 (1745).

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, which he subsequently outlined in his magnum opus, Tanya, on which he labored for twenty years before publishing it in 1796.

By that time, his influence had spread throughout White Russia and Lithuania, where a significant part of the Jewish population regarded him as their Rebbe and leader.

In late summer of 1812 Rabbi Schneur Zalman fled the approach of Napoleon‘s armies, which were advancing through White Russia in their push toward Moscow.

After many weeks of wandering he arrived, in the dead of winter, in the town of Pyena. There he fell ill and on Tevet 24, Motzoei Shabbos following Parshas Shemos, at 10:30 in the evening, he returned his soul to its Maker.