Feb 25, 2006

Reb Schneur Zalman Moshe HaYitzchoki


Photo by Adam Pretty - Getty Images.

MIB commenting to Geza people were setup: Schneur, you wrote: "The stress was on Hanasi hu hakol (and later) Messianic aspirations and kiruv."

This really began in earnest when Reb Mendel Futerfas took over the reigns in Kfar Chabad. (In the days of Reb Shloime Chaim things were otherwise.) Reb Mendel in turn was taught this Derech by his teacher and mentor Reb Zalman Moshe of Nevel who revolutionized the concept of "REBBE" "NASI" in Chabad.

berl, crown heights: seriously though - the change in Kfar Habad after Reb Shliemo Chaim is well known and was discussed here before. But do you really believe Reb Mendel had such a profound ideological influence on Lubavitch bechlal? I do not think so. As to Reb Zalman Meishe HoYitzhoki, what do you mean by "revolutionized the concept of "REBBE" "NASI" in Chabad"? Please clarify.

MIB: Reb Zalman Moshe came from a Kopuster family. He was born in 1872 in Nevel to his father Reb Dovber ("Berel Der Shoichet") who was the Chabad shoichet in Nevel, his mother was a Ziselson, daughter of a prominent Lubavitch family in Nevel. Reb Zalman Moshe studied in the Kopuster cheder in Nevel. He married Neshe Reines of Zhembin, first cousin of the famed Reb Isaac Jacob Reines of the Mizrachi movement.

He was married for quite a few years when Tomchei Temimim was founded and never officially studied there though he did join shiurim given by Reb Shmuel Groinem Esterman. He subsequently became the Ruach Chaim of Chassidic life in Nevel and the surrounding area. As the Rebbe Rashab would refer to him as "Mein Zalman Moshe"...

Interestingly, Berel Der Shoichet's father was known in Nevel as Dovid "HaTzarfosi" as he had come from France as a young man, he had a ksav yuchsin tracing him back (ben achar ben!) to Rabbeinu Yaakov Ha Yitzchoki aka Rabbeinu Tam. As mentioned once before, the HaYitchoki's and R. Aharon Kotler were Mechutanim, as the mother of R. Dov Shvartzman (son in law of R. Aharon) was a Nevel born HaYitzchoki as well.