Teveth 18, 5708
To the Editor of the
JEWISH SPECTATOR,
New York, N.Y.
My attention was drawn to an article entitled TWO HUNDRED YEARS HABAD HASIDISM, by Jacob S. Minkin, that appeared in the JEWISH SPECTATOR of March, 1947.
Without touching upon the various inaccuracies of the author's description of the Hasidic theory of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, since this would require too much space, I wish to make several observations on points of fact, in order to correct some errors in the historical phase of the article in question1.
1. According to the tradition of the family, Rabbi Shneur Zalman was born in the year 5505 (1745), and not 5507 as the article implies.2
2. Rabbi Shneur Zalman married at the age of 15, not 18.3
3. The author states that 'it was by sheer accident that he (Rabbi Shneur Zalman) was drawn to the new movement that went by the name of Hasidism.' As a matter of fact, however, it was no accident. Although not generally known, it is recorded in the family chronicles that in his youth Shneur Zalman received his education, from secret followers (’Nistarim’) of the Baal Shem Tov, namely, his father Rabbi Baruch,4 his teacher Rabbi Issachar Baer of Kobilnik5 and his uncle Rabbi Joseph Itschak of Vitebsk,6 (Cf. Chai Elul 57057 and ’Sefer Hazichronos'8 by Rabbi Joseph I, Schneersohn, published by KEHOT Publication Society, Brooklyn, 5706-7)
Furthermore, the study of Kabbalah is irrelevant here, as witness the well known fact that the Gaon of Vilno deeply delved into Kabbalah, without it affecting his attitude towards Hasidism.9
4. Rabbi Shneur Zalman left no 'diaries'.
5. The relationship between the 'Angel' and Rabbi Shneur Zalman, during the life of Rabbi Dov Baer, was on equal footing, the former instructing the latter in Hasidism and being reciprocated in the Study of Halachah.10 After the death of Rabbi Dov Baer, Rabbi Shneur Zalman accepted his son (the 'Angel') as leader and spiritual master ('Rebbe').11
6. Rabbi Dov Baer's successor after death was his son the 'Angel,' and only years later was Rabbi Menahem Mendel of Vitebsk appointed to the leadership of the Hasidic community of Lithuania. (Cf. letter of allegiance by representatives of Rabbi Dov Baer's disciples to his son, on which Rabbi Shneur Zalman is a signatory, in HATOMIM, Vol. VII p.28. An account of the events that took place after the death of Rabbi Dov Baer may be found in a letter of Rabbi Joseph I. Schneersohn under [the] title 'Fathers of Hasidism', ch. 8, published in HATOMIM Vol. II, p. 48).
7. Opposition to and persecution of Hasidism began before the death of Rabbi Dov Baer, and not after.12
8. The Gaon could not have seen the Tanya before its author together with Rabbi Menahem Mendel attempted to see him, for Rabbi Shneur Zalman began writing the Tanya about the year 5550,13 thirteen years after Rabbi M.M. had already left for the Holy Land.14 The Tanya was published for the first time in the year 5556.15
9. The purpose of Rabbi Shneur Zalman's journey was not to familiarise himself with the progress of the movement as the author states; he undertook the extensive tour on a mission of mercy in behalf of the Jews who were hit by the decree of Czar Alexander I in 1807, by which the Jews were banned from engaging in breweries and distilleries in rural areas, and all Jews not directly engaged in farming were expelled from those areas.16
I trust you will find space in your worthy magazine for the above notes.
Very truly,
Rabbi Mendel Schneerson.
Chairman, Executive Committee.
Notes and sources
From a secretarial carbon copy, sent on the stationery of Kehot.
1) For similar letters from the same period see Igros Kodesh vol. 2 pp. 101-104 (corrections on “HaRav” by S. Glitzenstein). pp. 268-272 (corrections on “Toldos Mishpachas Harav M’Liadi” by S. M. Slonim) A brief biographical sketch on the Alter Rebbe penned by the Rebbe can be found at the beginning of Hayom Yom and in the back of the Tanya. In 5708 Kehos published “Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi - A brief presentation of the life, the work, and the basic teachings of the founder of Chabad Chassidim. written by Gershon Kranzler, based on talks with Rabbi Mendel Schneerson” (see Rebbe Responsa, letters dated 10 Kislev 5710
2) This was the prevalent theory (see Beis Rebbe ch. 1), until the Frierdiker Rebbe publicized the true date (Sefer Hasichos 5703 p. 154). See Igros Kodesh of the Rebbe vol. 18 p. 282f.
3) On Friday Erev Shabbos Nachamu 12 Menachem-Av 5520, in Vitebsk. See Sefer HaSichos Kayitz 5700 p. 79. Farbrengen of 19 Kislev 5720.
4) Approx. 5483 - 8 Tishrei 5552.
5) The “Maggid of Lubavitch”.
6) The husband of R’ Boruch’s sister Devorah Leah.
7) Likkutei Dibburim vol. 3 p. 946 ff. Sefer haSichos 5705 p. 122 ff. See also Chai Elul 5703, Sicha 4.
8) Chs. 7-9 (R’ Yissochor ber). 17, 19, 21, 23, 28 (R’ Yosef Yitzchok). From ch. 10 onwards almost the entire sefer deals with R’ Boruch. R’ Boruch taught the Alter Rebbe in his youth and then sent him to Lubavitch to learn from R’ Yissochor Ber, when R’ Yissochor ber could no longer teach him (around the time of his Bar Mitzvah) his father sent him to Vitebsk to learn from his uncle.
9) See Igros Kodesh vol. 23 p. 57.
10) See Beis Rebbe ch. 2. Sefer HaMaamarim 5708 p. 177. Igros Kodesh of the frierdiker Rebbe vol. 7 p. 176ff.
11) See Igros Kodesh of the Alter Rebbe p. 455.
12) On 5 Nissan 5532 a cherem was proclaimed on the Chassidim, signed by many Rabbonim of the Misnagdim. (Beis Rebbe ch. 4).
13) See Hayom Yom 9 Kislev and 6 Adar II.
14) In the year 5537.
15) The year on the title page of the first print is 5556, which is when they started the printing, on the last page is printed “The work has been completed . . Tuesday the 20th of Kislev 5557”. - The Rebbe’s note in Kitzurim V’Heoros p. 140. (see there p. 119).
16) In December 1804 Czar Alexander I set in place numerous rules limiting which businesses Jews were allowed to practice, the decree mentioned above took effect in January 1807. See Igros Kodesh of the Alter Rebbe p. 370. p. 359ff. at length in Maso Barditchev (Mondshine).
Source: Secretarial carbon copy
Published: Rebbe Responsa exclusive
An Accurate Biography of The Alter Rebbe's Life