| Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson | |
|---|---|
| Lubavitcher Rebbe | |
Menachem Mendel Schneerson at the Lag BaOmer parade in Brooklyn, 1987.
| |
| Synagogue | 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY |
| Began | 10 Shevat 5711 / January 17, 1951 |
| Predecessor | Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 5, 1902 OS (11 Nissan5662)[1] Nikolaev, Kherson Governorate,Russian Empire (present-dayMykolaiv, Ukraine) |
| Died | June 12, 1994 NS (3 Tammuz5754) (aged 92[2]) Manhattan, New York, USA |
| Buried | Queens, New York, USA |
| Dynasty | Chabad Lubavitch |
| Parents | Levi Yitzchak Schneerson ChanaYanovski Schneerson |
| Spouse | Chaya Mushka Schneerson |
| Semicha | Rogatchover Gaon |
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (April 5, 1902 – June 12, 1994), known as the Rebbe[3][4] was an Orthodox rabbi, Talmudic scholar, and the last Lubavitcher Rebbe. He is considered one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century.[5][6][7]
As leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, he oversaw its expansion from a small group into the largest and most dynamic force in Judaism today,[8] with an international network of over 3000 educational and social centers.[9][10] The institutions he established include kindergartens, schools, drug-rehabilitation centers, care-homes for the disabled and synagogues.[11]
Schneerson is noted for his contributions to Jewish continuity and religious thought,[12] as well as his wide-ranging contributions to traditional Torah scholarship.[13] He is recognized as the pioneer of Jewish outreach.[14][15]
In 1978, the U.S. Congress designated Schneerson's birthday as the national Education Day U.S.A.,[16] honoring his role in establishing the Department of Education as an independentcabinet-level department.[17] In 1994, he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his "outstanding and lasting contributions toward improvements in world education, morality, and acts of charity." [18]
Life[edit]
1902-1923[edit]
Menachem Mendel Schneerson was born on Friday, April 18, 1902, equivalent to 11 Nissan, 5662, in the town of Nikolaev.[19] His father was Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, a renowned Talmudic scholar and authority on Kabbalah and Jewish law.[20] His mother was Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson (nee Yanovski). He was named after the third Chabad rebbe, the Tzemach Tzedek, from whom he was descendent in direct paternal lineage.
In 1907, when Menachem Mendel was six years old, the Schneersons moved to Yekatrinislav (today, Dnepropetrovsk), where Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was appointed Chief Rabbi of the city. He served until 1939, when he was exiled by the Soviets to Uzbekistan.[21] Schneerson had two younger brothers, Dov Ber who was murdered in 1944 by Nazi collaborators and Yisrael Aryeh Leib, who died in 1952 while completing doctoral studies at Liverpool University.[22]
Schneerson who was described as a slim boy with blond hair,[23] was gifted with extraordinary intelligence and empathy.[24] During his youth, he received a private education and was tutored by Zalman Vilenkin from 1909 through 1913. When Schneerson was eleven years old, Vilenkin informed the boy's father that he had nothing more to teach his son.[25] At that point, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak began teaching his son Talmud and rabbinic literature, as well as Kabbalah. Schneerson proved gifted in both Talmudic and Kabalistic study and also took exams as an external student of the local Soviet school.[26] He was considered an Illui and genius, and by the time he was seventeen, he had mastered the entire Talmud, some 5,894 pages with all its early commentaries.[27]
Schneerson went on to receive separate rabbinical ordinations from the Rogatchover Gaon, Yosef Rosen,[30] and Rabbi Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg (also known as the Sridei Aish).[31]
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1923-1941[edit]
In 1923 Schneerson visited the sixth Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn where he met his middle daughter, Chaya Mushka.[32] The couple became engaged in Riga in 1923 and married in 1928 in Warsaw, Poland. Taking great pride in his son-in-law's outstanding knowledge, Yosef Yitzchok asked him to engage the great Torah scholars that were present at the wedding, such as Rabbi Meir Shapiro and Rabbi Menachem Zemba, in learned conversation.[33] The marriage was long and happy (60 years), but childless.[24]
Menachem Mendel Schneerson and Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn are both descendants of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, known as the Tzemach Tzedek, the third Rebbe ofChabad Lubavitch.[34] Schneerson later commented that the day of his marriage bound the community to him and him to the community.[35]
After his marriage to Chaya Mushka, Schneerson and his wife moved to Berlin where he was assigned specific communal tasks by his father-in-law, who also requested that he write scholarly annotations to the responsa and various hasidic discourses of the earlier Rebbe’s of Chabad-Lubavitch. Schneerson studied mathematics, physics and philosophy at the University of Berlin.[36] He would late recall that he enjoyed Erwin Schrödinger’s lectures.[37] His father-in-law, took great pride in his erudite son-in-law scholarly attainments and paid for all the tuition expenses and helped facilitate his studies throughout.[38]
During his stay in Berlin, his father-in-law encouraged him to become more of a public figure, yet Schneerson described himself as an introvert, [39] and was known to plead with acquaintance not to make a fuss out of the fact that he was the son-in-law of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson.[40]
While in Berlin, Schneerson met Joseph B. Soloveitchik and the two formed a friendship that remain between them years later when they both emigrated to America.[41][42][43] He wrote hundreds of pages of his own original Torah discourses,[44] and conducted a serious interchange of halachic corresponded with many of Eastern Europe's leading rabbinic figures, including the talmudic genius known as the Rogachover Gaon.[45] In 1933 he also met with Rabbi Chaim Elazar Shapiro, as well as with talmudist Rabbi Shimon Shkop.[46] During this time he would keep a diary in which he would carefully document his private conversations with his father-in-law Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, as well his kabalistic correspondence with his father, Levi Yitzchak Schneerson.[47]
In 1933, after the rise of the Nazi party in Germany, Schneerson left Berlin and moved toParis, France were he continued his religious and communal activists on behalf of his father-in-law, Yosef Yitzchak. He continued studying mechanics and electrical engineering at theESTP, a Grandes écoles in the Montparnasse district and graduated in July 1937 with a degree. In November 1937, he enrolled at the Sorbonne, where he studied mathematics untilWorld War II broke out in 1939.[48]
Yosef Yitzchok, also recommended that Professor Alexander Vasilyevitch Barchenko consult with Schneerson regarding various religious and mystical matters,[49] and prominent Rabbis, such as Yerachmiel Binyaminson and Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler turned to Schneerson with their queries regarding the reconciliation of different rabbinic and kabalistic opinions.[50][51]
On June 11, 1940, three days before Paris fell to the Nazis, the Schneersons fled to Vichy, and later to Nice, where they stayed until their final escape from Europe in 1941.[52]
1941-1950[edit]
In 1941, Schneerson escaped from Europe via Lisbon, Portugal.[53] On the eve of his departure, Schneerson penned a treatise where he revealed his vision for the future of world Jewry and humanity.[54] He and his wife Chaya Mushka arrived in New York on June 23, 1941.[55]
Shortly after his arrival, his father-in-law appointed him director and chairman of the three Chabad central organizations, Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch, Machneh Israel and Kehot Publication Society, placing him at the helm of the movement's Jewish educational, social services, and publishing networks. Over the next decade, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok referred many of the scholarly questions that had been inquired of him to Schneerson and he became increasingly known as a personal representative of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok.[56]
During the 1940s, Schneerson became a naturalized US citizen and, seeking to contribute to the war effort, he volunteered at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, drawing wiring for the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63),[57][58][59] and other classified military work.[60]
In 1942 Schneerson launched the merkos shlichus program where he would send pairs of yeshiva students to remote locations across the country during their summer vacations to teach Jews in isolated communities about their heritage and offer education to their children.
As chairman and editor in chief of Kehot, Schneerson published the works of the earlier Rebbe’s of Chabad. He also published his own works including the Hayom Yom in 1943 and Hagadda in 1946.[61]
In 1947 Schneerson traveled to Paris, to bring his mother, Chana Schneerosn, back to New York with him. He remained in Paris for several weeks were he establishes a school for girl and works with local organisations to assist with housing for refugees and displaced persons.[62]
Schneerson often explained that his goal was to "make the world a better place," and to do what he could to eliminate all suffering.[63] In a letter to Israeli President Yitzchak Ben Tzvi, Schneerson wrote that from when he a child "the vision of the future Redemption began to take form in my imagination – the Redemption of the Jewish People from their final Exile, a redemption of such magnitude and grandeur through which the purpose of the suffering, the harsh decrees and annihilation of Exile will be understood..."[64]
1950-51[edit]
After the death of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn in 1950,[65] Chabad followers began persuading Schneerson to succeed his father-in-law as Rebbe on the basis of his scholarship, piety, and dynasty.[66] Schneerson was reluctant, and actively refused to accept leadership of the movement. He continued, however, all the communal activities he had previously headed. It would take a full year until he was persuaded into accepting the post by the elders of the movement.[67]
On the first anniversary of his father-in-law's passing, 10 Shevat 1951, in a ceremony attended by several hundred rabbis and Jewish leaders from all parts of the United States and Canada, Schneerson delivered a Hasidic discourse, (Ma'amar), the equivalent to a President-elect taking the oath of office, and formally became the Rebbe.[68] On the night of his acceptance, members of Israels Cabinet and and Israel’s chief rabbis sent him congratulatory messages.[69]
During his inaugural talk, Schneerson said “one must go to a place where nothing is known of godliness, nothing is known Judaism, nothing is even known of the Hebrew alphabet, and while there to put oneself aside and ensure that the other calls out to god.”[70] When he spoke to Forward journalist Asher Penn later that year, he said that “we must stop insisting that Judaism is in danger, an assertion that does little but place Jewry on the defensive. We need to go on the offensive.” Schneerson believed that Jews need not be on the defensive, but need to be on the ground building Jewish institutions such as day schools and synagogues,.[71]Schneerson was the first person to put priority on what today is called 'kiruv,' and drawing Jews closer to their religion, and he believed that world Jewry was seeking to learn more about their Jewish heritage.[14]
Throughout his years as Rebbe, he sought to bring Judaism to Jews wherever they were and was the first person in all of history to try reach every Jewish community and every Jew in the world. As chief rabbi lord Jonathan Sacks expressed it “If the Nazis searched out every Jew in hate, the Rebbe wished to search out every Jew in love.”[72] He oversaw the building of schools, community centers, and youth camps and created a global network of emissaries, known as shluchim.
Today there are Shluchim in 49 of the 50 states, in over 80 countries and 1000 cities around the world, totaling more than 3,600 institutions including some 300 in Israel.[73][74] Chabad is very often the only Jewish presence in a given town or city and it has become the face of Jewish Orthodoxy for the Jewish and general world.[75]
1951-1994[edit]
In 1953, he established the Lubavitch women's organisation. And in a marked departure from an entrenched tendency to limit high-level Torah education to men and boys, he addressed his teachings equally to both genders.[76] He addressed meetings of the organisation, and later led farbrengens exclusively for women. Schneerson would describe the increase in Torah study by women as one of the "positive innovations of the later generations".[77]
During his decades of leadership, Schneerson worked over 18 hours a day and never took a day of vacation.[78] He was opposed to retirement, seeing it as a waste of precious years.[79] In 1972, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, instead of announcing a retirement plan, Schneerson proposed the establishment of 71 new institutions to mark the beginning of the 71st year of his life.[80]
In 1977, during the hakafot ceremony on Shemini Atzeret, Schneerson suffered a heart attack. At his request, rather than transporting him to a hospital, the doctors set up a mini-hospital at his office where he was treated for the next four weeks by Dr. Bernard Lown, Dr. Ira Weiss and Dr. Larry Resnick.[81]
In 1979, during the Islamic Revolution and Iranian hostage crisis, Schneerson directed arrangements to rescue Jewish youth and teenagers from Iran and bring them to safety in the United States.[82] The radical Islamic hostilities toward the United States was seen by Schneerson as an act that could lead to a general weakening of American influence around the world and that would encourage future challenges against the U.S. and its allies and have severe consequences for Jews.[4][83] As a result of Schneersons efforts, several thousand children were flown from Iran to New York were they were provided for until they were reunited with their parents or other relatives after they emigrated to the United States.[84]
On February 10, 1988, Schneersons wife, Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka Schneerson died.[85] During the week of shiva Schneerson wrote a will in which he bequeathed his entire estate to Agudas Chasidei Chabad, the Chabad umbrella organisation.[86] A year after the death of his wife, when the traditional year of Jewish mourning had passed, Schneerson moved into his study above the central Lubavitch synagogue on Eastern Parkway.[87]
During a talk in In 1991, Schneerson spoke passionately about the Messiah and told his followers: "What else can I do that all Jewish people should truthfully cry out, and effectively bring Moshiach in actuality… The only thing I can do is give it over to you: Do all you can… to actually bring our righteous Moshiach… I have done my part, from now on you do all that you can.” A few months later, when a reporter from CNN came to meet him at dollars, he said “Messiah is ready to come now. Its up to us to add more in acts of goodness and kindness."[88]
On Sunday, the 26th of Adar II 1992, Gabriel Erem, of Lifestyles Magazine, approached Schneerson as he distributed dollars and told him that on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday they would be publishing a special issue and wanted to know what Shcneersons message to the world was. “Ninety,” Schneerson replied, “in Hebrew, is ‘tzaddik,’ which means ‘righteous.’ And that is a direct indication for every person to become a real tzaddik - a righteous person, and to do so for many years, until 120.” This message, Schneerson added, applies equally to non-Jews.[89]
The following day Schneerson suffered a serious stroke while praying at the grave of his father-in-law. The stroke left him unable to speak and paralyzed on the right side of his body. During this time, the hope that Schneerson could be revealed as the Messiah (Moshiach) became more widespread.[90][91]
On June 12, 1994 (3 Tammuz 5754), Schneerson died at the Beth Israel Medical Center and was buried at the Ohel next to his father-in-law, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, at Montefiore Cemetery in Queens, New York.[92][93] Shortly after Schneersons death, the executors of his will discovered several notebooks in a draw in his office, in which Schneerson had written his scholarly thoughts and religious musings from his earliest years.[94] The majority of entries in these journals date between the years 1928 and 1950 and were subsequently published.[95]
Following age-old Jewish tradition that the resting place of a tzadik is holy, Schneersons grave-site is viewed by many as a holy site, and has been described by the Yedioth Ahronoth as "the American Western Wall", where thousands of people, including both Jews and non-Jews,[11] come to pray each week.[96][97] Many more send faxes and e-mails with requests for prayers to be read at the grave site.[98]
Activities as Rebbe[edit]
"Mitzvah campaigns"[edit]
Main article: Chabad mitzvah campaigns
Schneerson also instituted a system of "mitzvah campaigns" to encourage Jews to follow ten basic Jewish practices.
- Tefillin: men and boys from the age of 13 should don Tefillin each weekday.
- Shabbat candles: women and girls from the age of 3 should light Shabbat candles.
- V’ahvta L’reacha K’mocha: love your neighbor as yourself.
- Chinuch: enable children to receive a Jewish education.
- Tzedaka: give charity daily.
- Taharat haMishpacha: adhere to the rituals of family purity.
- Kosher: keep a kosher home.
- Mezuza: ensure all doors have kosher mezuzot.
- Torah: study Torah each day.
- Jewish books: have a selection of Jewish books at home.
Outreach among non-Jews[edit]
In 1983 he launched a global campaign to promote observance of the seven Noahide Laws among all people,[99] arguing that this was the basis for human rights for all civilization.[100][101]
Several times a year his addresses were broadcast on national television. On these occasions he would address the public on more general communal affairs such as a moment of silence in U.S. public schools, increased government funding for solar energy research, and nuclear disarmament.[102]
Education[edit]
From the beginning of his leadership, Schneerson placed a strong emphasis on education and often spoke of the need of a true moral educational system.[103] He said that education infused with godliness is the bedrock for a true moral society for all mankind regardless of religious faith,[104] and that one cannot rest until every child, boy and girl, receives a proper moral education.[105]
Seeking to promote awareness for educational matters, Schneerson proclaimed 1977 as a “Year of Education” and urged Congress to do the same. He stated: “Education, in general, should not be limited to the acquisition of knowledge and preparation for a career, or, in common parlance, ‘to make a better living.’ We must think in terms of a 'better living’ not only for the individual, but also for the society as a whole. The educational system must, therefore, pay more attention, indeed the main attention, to the building of character, with emphasis on moral and ethical values. Education must put greater emphasis on the promotion of fundamental human rights and obligations of justice and morality, which are the basis of any human society, if it is to be truly human and not turn into a jungle."[106]
Following Schneerson's urging, the Ninety-Fifth Congress of the United States issued a Joint Resolution proclaiming 1978 as a Year of Education and designating April 18, 1978, as "Education Day, U.S.A.".[107] Since then, in recognition of Schneersons contribution to “areas of ethical moral and cultural education” every President has issued a proclamation, proclaiming Schneerson's birthday as "Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A."[108] In 1982 Ronald Reagan also proclaimed Schneerson's birthday as a “National Day of Reflection,” and presented the “National Scroll of Honor" that was signed by the President, Vice-President and every member of Congress.[104][109]
Schneerson had great influence on numerous political leaders, many of whom would seek his advice. During his years as Rebbe, he was visited by Presidents, Prime Ministers, Governors, Senators, Congressmen and Mayors. Notable among them are prominent American politicians such as John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Jacob Javits, Ed Koch,Rudy Giuliani, David Dinkins and Joe Lieberman.[60][110]
Scholarship[edit]
Rabbi Schneerson is known for his scholarship both in the Talmud and hidden parts of the Torah (both Kabbalah and Chasidus).[13] Rabbis and Rosh Yeshivas, as well as scientists and professors who would meet him or correspond with him would marvel at his wisdom and knowledge, of both Torah and secular subjects.[111] Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveithcik, who knew Schneerson from their days in Berlin, and remained in contact once the two men came to America, told his students after visiting Schneerson "the Rebbe has a 'gewaldiger' (awesome) comprehension of the Torah,"[112] and "He is a gaon, he is a great one, he is a leader of Israel."[113]
Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, former chief Rabbi of Israel, has said regarding one of his meetings with Rabbi Schneerson: "The conversation covered all sections of the Torah: the Talmud, Jewish law, Kabbalah, etc. The Rebbe jumped effortlessly from one Talmudic tractate to another, and from there to Kabbalah and then to Jewish law... He was clear in all the subjects discussed and organized in his delivery. It was as if he had just finished studying these very topics from the holy books. The whole Torah was an open book in front of him".[114]
Schneerson was known for delivering regular lengthy addresses without a text or notes open in front of him the entire time.[115][116][117]These talks usually centered on the weekly Torah portion and on various tractates of the Talmud, during which he demonstrated a unique approach in explaining seemingly different concepts by analysis of the fundamental principle common to the entire tractate.[118] These talks were then transcribed and distributed widely. Many of them were later edited by Schneerson and published under the title Likkutei Sichot.
Listening to these talks, which sometimes went for eight or nine hours straight, was "an unparalleled spiritual experience."[119] Following his attendance at one such talk with his son-in-law Rabbi Yisrael Lau, the then Rabbi of Tel-Aviv, Yitzchak Yedidya Frankel said "I have witnessed the magnificence of Polish Jewry...and I have known most of the great scholars of recent generations. But I have never seen such command of the material. That is genius."[120]
Schneerson is especially renowned for his original insights and unprecedented analysis of Rashi's Torah commentary, which were delivered at the regular public Farbrengens. Many of these talks were later published in the Likkutei Sichos.
His collected writings and speeches have been published in more than two hundred volumes. They include Torah expositions, halakhic analysis, Talmudic discourses, explorations of Jewish mysticism and letters of guidance to Jews throughout the world.[121] He also penned tens of thousands of replies to requests and questions. The majority of his correspondence is printed in Igrot Kodesh. His correspondence fills more than thirty published volumes. These detailed and personal letters offer advice and explanation on a wide variety of subjects, including spiritual matters as well as all aspects of life.[119]
Yechidus and "Sunday Dollars"[edit]
Beginning in 1951 when he accepted the leadership, Schneerson would receive visitors twice a week, on Sundays and Thursdays. These meetings, called yechidus, would start at 8pm and often continue until five in the morning. Anyone would have the chance to meet Schneerson privately for a discussion and to receive his advice and blessings.[66][122] These meetings had to be booked in advance withMordechai Hodakov, Schneerson's chief secretary.[122] At such private audiences he would meet over three thousand people.[123] The sessions were so popular that reservations were required—often months in advance. It was at these sessions, that Schneerson met with mayors, senators, presidents and every prime minister of Israel.[60]
Aside from a brief period of two months, after Schneerson suffered a heart attack in 1978, these meetings lasted weekly until 1982 when it became impossible to facilitate the large number of people. These meetings were then held only for those who had a special occasion, such as bride and groom for their wedding or a boy and his family on the occasion of a bar mitzvah.[123]
In 1986, Rabbi Schneerson again began to regularly greet people individually. This time, the personal meetings took the form of a weekly receiving line in "770". Almost every Sunday, thousands of people would line up to meet briefly with Schneerson and receive a one-dollar bill, which was to be donated to charity. People filing past Schneerson would often take this opportunity to ask him for advice or to request a blessing. This event is usually referred to as "Sunday Dollars."[124] Asked once how he doesn't tire of standing so long, he replied: every soul is a diamond. Can one grow tired of counting diamonds?"[125] Beginning in 1989, these events were recorded on videotape. Posthumously, hundreds of thousands of these encounters have been posted online for public access.[126]
"770"[edit]
Main article: 770 Eastern Parkway
Rabbi Schneerson rarely left Crown Heights in Brooklyn except for frequent lengthy visits to his father-in-law's gravesite in Queens, New York. A year after the death of his wife, Chaya Mushka, in 1988, when the traditional year of Jewish mourning had passed, he moved into his study above the central Lubavitch synagogue at 770 Eastern Parkway.
It was from this location that Rabbi Schneerson directed his emissaries' work and managed the movement's development. His public roles included celebrations called farbrengens (gatherings) on Shabbats, Jewish holy days, and special days on the Chabad calendar, when he would give lengthy sermons to crowds. In later years, these would often be broadcast on cable television and via satellite to Lubavitch branches around the world.
United Nations[edit]
Benjamin Netanyahu said that while serving as Israel's ambassador to the United Nations in 1984, Schneerson told him: "you will be serving in a house of darkness, but remember, that even in the darkest place; the light of a single candle can be seen far and wide…" Netanyahu later retold this episode in a speech at the General Assembly, on Sept 23, 2011.[127]
Israel[edit]
Schneerson always took an interest into the affairs of the state of Israel.[128] He did whatever was in his power to support the infrastructure of the state, and advance its success.[129] He was concerned with the agricultural,[130] industrial and overall economic welfare of Israel,[131]and sought to promote its scientific achievements, and enhance Israel's standing in the international community.[132] He consistently expressed enormous recognition for the role of the Israel Defense Forces and stated that those who serve in the Israeli army perform a great Mitzva.[133]
Although he never was in Israel, many of Israel's top leadership made it a point to visit him.[134] Israeli President, Zalman Shazar, would visit Schneerson and corresponded extensively with him as would Prime Minister Menachem Begin who came to visit him before going to Washington to meet President Carter.[135] Ariel Sharon who had a close relationship with Schneerson,[136] often quoted his view on military matters and sought his advice when he considered retiring from the military. Schneerson advised the general to remain at his post.[137]Yitzhak Rabin,[138] Shimon Peres and Benjamin Netanyahu[139] also paid visits and sought Schneersons advice, along with numerous other less famous politicians, diplomats, military officials, and media producers.
Schneerson publicly expressed his view, that the safety and stability of Israel were in the best interests of the United States, as Israel is the front line against those who want the anti-west nations to succeed.[140]
Just before the outbreak of the Six-Day War, Schneerson instructed his followers in Israel and throughout the world to initiate an active Teffilin campaign, to see that Jews observe the Mitzva of Tefillin as a means of ensuring divine protection against Israel's enemies.[141]Speaking to a crowd of thousands of people on May 28, 1967, only a few days before the outbreak of the war, he assured the world that Israel would be victorious.[142] He said Israel had no need to fear as God was with them, quoting the verse, "the Guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers."[143]
After the Operation Entebbe rescue, in a public talk on 16 August 1976, Schneerson applauded the courage and selflessness of the IDF, "who flew thousands of miles, putting their lives in danger for the sole purpose of possibly saving the lives of tens of Jews”. He said “their portion in the Hereafter is guaranteed”.[144][145] He was later vilified by ultra haredi rabbis for publicly praising the courage of irreligious, Zionist soldiers and suggesting that God chose these people as a medium through which he would send deliverance to the Jewish people.[146] Schneerson protested vehemently against those elements within the ultra haredi society who sought to undermine the motivations and actions of the soldiers.[147][148][149]
He corresponded with David Ben-Gurion on the issue of Judaism in the State of Israel, asking the Prime Minister to ensure that Israel remains Jewish. He lobbied Israeli politicians to pass legislation in accordance with Jewish law on the question "Who is a Jew?" and asked that they add the words "according to Halakha" to the declaration so that it state that "only one who is born of a Jewish mother or converted according to Halakha is Jewish." This caused a furore in the United States. Some American Jewish philanthropies stopped financially supporting Chabad-Lubavitch since most of their members were connected to Reform and Conservative Judaism. Controversial issues such as territorial compromise in Israel that might have estranged benefactors from giving much-needed funds to Chabad.[150]
Soviet Jewry[edit]
Schneerson greatly encouraged the Jews who were trapped behind the iron curtain. He sent many emissaries on covert missions to sustain Judaism under Communist regimes and to provide them with their religious and material needs.[151] Many Jews from behind the iron curtain would correspond with Schneerson, sending their letters to him via secret messenger and addressing Schneerson in code name.[152]
Schneerson spoke passionately about the Jews in Russia. He said: "Behind the Iron Curtain, there are Jews who are in an extremely precarious position, to the extent that they must have self-sacrifice for every aspect of fulfillment of Judaism. Nevertheless, they do not worry about their physical wants...There are Jews who do not have tefillin! They cannot go to the synagogue, for if they get caught they will lose their employment... Despite all this, they make no calculations regarding what the next day may bring; their whole desire is to be able to put on tefillin..."[153]
Schneerson, who had an intimate knowledge of the Soviet government and their tactics, opposed demonstrations on behalf of Soviet Jews, stating that he had evidence that they were harming Russia’s Jews. Instead he advocated quiet diplomacy, which he said would be more effective.[154][155] Schneerson did whatever was in his power to push for the release of Jews from the former Soviet Union and established schools, communities and other humanitarian resources to assist with their absorption into Israel. On one known occasion he instructed Sen.Chic Hecht to provide President Ronald Reagan with contact information of people who wished to leave so that he could lobby their release.[156]
Following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, Schneerson called for efforts to rescue children from Chernobyl and founded a special organization for this purpose.[157] The first rescue flight occurred on August 3, 1990, when 196 children were flown to Israel and brought to a shelter campus. Since then, thousands of children have been rescued and brought to Israel where they receive housing, education and medical care in a supportive environment.[158]
Natan Sharansky, the Chairman of the Jewish Agency said that Chabad Lubavitch was an essential connector to Soviet Jewry during the Cold War,[159] while Shimon Peres has stated that it’s to Schneersons credit that "Judaism in the Soviet Union has been preserved."[160]
Recognition[edit]
Numerous public officials attended Schneersons funeral, including New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani; Benjamin Netanyahu, Gad Yaacobi, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations and Colette Avital, Israeli consul general in New York.[161]
From Washington, President Clinton pens a condolence letter "to the Chabad-Lubavitch community and to world Jewry” referring to Schneerosn as "a monumental man who as much as any other individual, was responsible over the last half a century for advancing the instruction of ethics and morality to our young people." Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin, citing Schneersons great scholarship and contribution to the entire Jewish people, proclaims "The Rebbe's loss is a loss for all the Jewish people." Foreign Minister Shimon Peres cites words from the prophet Malachi as applying with particular force to Schneerso: "He brought back many from iniquity. For a priest's lips shall guard knowledge, and teaching should be sought from his mouth. For he is a messenger of the Lord."[162]
Shortly after Schneerson's death, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives cosponsored by John Lewis, Newt Gingrich,Charles Schumer and Jerry Lewis, as well as 220 other Congressmen—to posthumously bestow upon Schneerson the Congressional Gold Medal.
On November 2, 1994 the bill passed both Houses by unanimous consent, honoring Schneerson for his "outstanding and enduring contributions toward world education, morality, and acts of charity".[163] President Bill Clinton spoke these words at the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony:
| “ | The late Rebbe's eminence as a moral leader for our country was recognized by every president since Richard Nixon. For over two decades, the Rabbi's movement now has some 2000 institutions; educational, social, medical, all across the globe. We (the United States Government) recognize the profound role that Rabbi Schneerson had in the expansion of those institutions. | ” |
In 2009, the National Museum of American Jewish History[164] selected Schneerson as one of eighteen American Jews to be included in their "Only in America" Hall of Fame.
Works[edit]
Books in Hebrew and Yiddish[edit]
- Likkutei Sichot – 39 volume set of Schneerson's discourses on the weekly Torah portions, Jewish Holidays, and other issues. (16,867pp)
- Hayom Yom – An anthology of Chabad aphorisms and customs arranged according to the days of the year.
- Torat Menachem – 83 volumes of unedited talks, translated into Hebrew, 1950-1969, and 1982–1992. Planned to encompass 1950–1992.
- Haggadah Im Likkutei Ta'amim U'minhagim – The Haggadah with a commentary written by Schneerson.[165]
- Sefer HaToldot – Admor Moharash – Biography of the fourth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shmuel Schneersohn.
- Sefer HaSichot – 12 volume set of Rabbi Schneerson's edited talks from 1987–1992. (4,136pp)
- Sefer HaMa'amarim Melukot – 6 volumes of edited chassidic discourses.
- Chidushim UBiurim B'Shas – 3 volumes of novellae on the Talmud.
- Besuras Hageula - compilation of talks on the imminent arrival of Moshiach from 1990–1992.
- Sichot Kodesh – 50 volumes of original verbatim talks in Yiddish, from 1950–1981.
- Heichal Menachem – Shaarei – 34 volumes of talks arranged by topic and holiday.
- Sefer HaShlichut – 2 volume set of Schneerson's advice and guidelines to the shluchim he sent.
- Karati Ve'ein Oneh – Compilation of Sichos discussing the Halachic prohibition of surrendering land in the Land of Israel to non-Jews
- Sefer HaMa'amarim Hasidic discourses – Approx. 24 vols. including 1951–1962, 1969–1977 with plans to complete the rest.
- Biurim LePeirush Rashi – 5 volume set summarizing talks on the commentary of Rashi to Torah.
- Torat Menachem – Tiferet Levi Yitzchok – 3 volumes of elucidations drawn from his talks on cryptic notes of his father.
- Biurim LePirkei Avot – 2 volumes summarizing talks on the Mishnaic tractate of "Ethics of the Fathers".
- Yein Malchut – 2 volumes of talks on the Mishneh Torah.
- Kol Ba'ei Olam – Addresses and letters concerning the Noahide Campaign.
- Hilchot Beit Habechira LeHaRambam Im Chiddushim U'Beurim – Talks on the Laws of the Chosen House (the Holy Temple) of theMishneh Torah.
- HaMelech BeMesibo – 2 volumes of discussions at the semi-public holiday meals.
- Torat Menachem – Menachem Tzion – 2 volumes on mourning.
Books in English (original and translated)[edit]
- Letters from the Rebbe – 5 volume set of Rabbi Schneerson's English letters.
- Path to Selflessness - work discussing the bond between the individual soul and G-d.[166]
- Garments of the Soul - discussing the sublime importance of mundane activities, and their affect on the soul.[167]
- The Letter and the Spirit 2 volumes so far published of the Rebbe's English letters.[168]
Personal writings and correspondence[edit]
- Igrot Kodesh – 30 volume set of Rabbi Schneerson's Hebrew and Yiddish letters.
- Reshimot – 10-volume set of Schneerson's personal journal discovered after his death. Includes notes for his public talks before 1950, letters to Jewish scholars, notes on the Tanya, and thoughts on a wide range of Jewish subjects (2,190 pp).
Collections and esoterica[edit]
- Heichal Menachem – 3 volumes.
- Mikdash Melech – 4 volumes.
- Nelcha B'Orchosov
- Mekadesh Yisrael – Talks and pictures from his officiating at weddings.
- Yemei Bereshit – Diary of the first year of his leadership, 1950–1951.
- Bine'ot Deshe – Diary of his visit and talks to Camp Gan Israel in upstate New York.
- Tzaddik LaMelech – 7 volumes of letters, handwritten notes, anecdotes, and other.
Controversies[edit]
Wills[edit]
There is considerable controversy within Chabad about Schneerson's will, as he named no successor. He did however write one legal will, which was signed before witnesses, whereby he transferred stewardship of all the major Chabad institutions, as well as all his possessions to Agudas Chassidei Chabad.[169]
Another will, no executed copies of which are known to be in existence, named three senior Chabad rabbis, as directors of Agudas Chassidei Chabad.[169]
"Moshiach" (Messiah) fervor[edit]
Rabbi Schneerson's followers believed he was the Jewish Messiah, the "Moshiach," and some have persisted in that belief since his death. The reverence with which he was treated by followers led many Jewish critics from both the Conservative and Reform communities to allege that a cult of personality had grown up around him. His obituary in The New York Times said he "was attacked for allowing a cult of personality to grow around him"[170] from Conservative and Reform critics. Though he worked to dissuade his followers from making it that, telling New York Times reporter Israel Shenker in 1972 "I have never given any reason for a cult of personality, and I do all in my power to dissuade them from making it that".[66] Moshe D. Sherman, an associate professor at Touro College wrote that "as Schneerson's empire grew, a personality cult developed around him... portraits of Rabbi Schneerson were placed in all Lubavitch homes, shops, and synagogues, and devoted followers routinely requested a blessing from him prior to their marriage, following an illness, or at other times of need."[171]