The founder of Chabad Chassidism, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), passed away on the eve of the 24th of Tevet, at approximately 10:30 pm, shortly after reciting the Havdalah prayer marking the end of the Shabbat.
The Rebbe, author of the Shulchan Aruch and Tanya, was in the village of Peyena, fleeing Napoleon’s armies, which had swept through the Rebbe’s hometown of Liadi three months earlier in their advance towards Moscow.
He was in his 68th year at the time of his passing, and was succeeded by his son, Rabbi DovBer of Lubavitch.
The following are Chabad traditions for the day, based on the Rebbe’s teachings, and edited by Rabbi Yosef Simcha Ginsburg:
Men, women and children should use this hour of divine mercy to add:
1. In Torah – to add in learning nigleh and chassidus.
To learn at least a chapter of Mishnayos that begins with the name Schneur Zalman.
Learn from the Alter Rebbe’s Torah: Shulchan Aruch, a chapter Tanya and from his Chassidus teachings (best would be from Torah Ohr on the weekly Parsha).
2. In Prayer – davening from his siddur (and learning his maamaris on davening, beginning from the maamar Hakol Kol Yaakov).
3. In Charity – best for causes the are connected to his holy work or instutitions that do his work and the work of the Rebbes who followed him. (The Colel Chabad charity was founded by the Alter Rebbe – click to donate)
4. Farbrengen – to hold a chassidic gathering of joy, where the participants will take upon themselves good resolutions in Torah and Mitzvos.
If, for some reason, the above mentioned was not done, it should be completed in the coming days.
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in 1992 before the renovations. Was finster choshech……quite scary………
Alter rebbe please go to the kesei hakovod and beg so everyone who needs a shidduch should find one b’simcha and b’korov mamash!
Alter Rebbe for changing my life. Keep me in mind please!