Thursday, the 24th of Teves, marks the yartzeit of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), founder of Chabad Chassidism and author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch Harav.
The Alter Rebbe, as he was known, passed away on the eve of the 24th of Teves, 5573, at approximately 10:30 pm, shortly after reciting the Havdalah prayer marking the end of the Shabbos.
The Alter Rebbe was in the village of Peyena, fleeing armies of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, which had swept through the Rebbe’s hometown of Liadi three months earlier in their advance towards Moscow.
Shortly before his passing, the Alter Rebbe penned a short discourse titled “The Humble Soul:”
“For the truly humble soul, its mission in life lies in the pragmatic aspect of Torah, both in studying it for oneself and explaining it to others, and in doing acts of material kindness in lending an empathizing mind and counsel from afar regarding household concerns, though the majority, if not all, of these concern things of falsehood . . . For although the divine attribute of Truth argued that man should not be created, since he is full of lies, the divine attribute of Kindness argued that he should be created, for he is full of kindnesses . . . And the world is built upon kindness.”
The Alter Rebbe was interred in the city of Hadiach, today in Ukraine. Many people from around the world are expected to visit there and pray. In preparation for the visitors, the city has installed street lights and organized arrangement will be providing them hospitality.
