Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel Slonim (1798–1888) was a daughter of Rabbi Dovber Schneuri, the second Rebbe of the Chabad Hasidic dynasty. She is regarded a matriarch to the Chabad dynasty as well as Hebron’s Jewish population in general.
Rebbetzin Slonim was born on the 19 Kislev, 1798, the same day her grandfather, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi was released from imprisonment in S. Petersburg.
Her father chose the name Menucha because in Hebrew the word “menucha” means “peace and quiet”. He said, “Henceforth we shall have a little Menucha.” She was named Rachel after an aunt that died in her youth.
After she fell dangerously ill, her father promised that she would live to emigrate to the Land of Israel. In 1845, with the blessing of her brother-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, she and her family emigrated to Hebron. To allay her fears of rainstorms on the journey to Hebron, Rabbi Schneersohn blessed her to “walk between the raindrops.”
For forty-three years she served as the matriarch of the Hebron community. New brides and barren women would request blessings from her.
Before she passed away on the 24th of Shevat 1888, she sent a letter to the then Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, informing him of her imminent passing. She thus lived during the leadership of all of the first five Lubavitcher Rebbes.
Photos by Levik Hertzel
