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96-485: Founded in 1775 by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812) in the city of Liozno in the Russian Empire , the name "Chabad" ( חב״ד ) is an acronym formed from the three Hebrew words— Chokmah , Binah , Da'at — for the first three sefirot of the kabbalistic Tree of Life after Keter : חכמה, בינה, דעת , "Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge"—which represent the intellectual and kabbalistic underpinnings of

192-524: A Chabadsker ( Yiddish : חבדסקער ). Chabad's adherents include both Hasidic followers, as well as non-Hasidim, who have joined Chabad synagogues and other Chabad-run institutions. Although the Chabad movement was founded and originally based in Eastern Europe , various Chabad communities span the globe, including Crown Heights , Brooklyn , and Kfar Chabad , Israel . The movement has attracted

288-433: A Jewish children's movement, called Tzivos Hashem (lit. "Army [of] God"), for under bar/bat mitzvah -age children, to inspire them to increase in study of Torah and observance of mitzvot . Rabbi Schneerson also encouraged the use of modern technology in outreach efforts such as Mitzva tanks , which are mobile homes that travel a city or country. The Chabad website, chabad.org , a pioneer of Jewish religious outreach on

384-402: A Talmudist, Shneur Zalman endeavored to place Kabbalah and Hasidism on a rational basis. In Tanya , he defines his approach as moach shalit al halev ( Hebrew : מוח שליט על הלב , "the brain ruling the heart"). An adherent of Chabad is called a Chabad Chasid (or Hasid ) ( Hebrew : חסיד חב"ד ), a Lubavitcher ( Yiddish : ליובאַוויטשער ), a Chabadnik ( Hebrew : חבדניק ), or

480-455: A blind faith", and assumed an intellectual accessibility of the mystical teachings of the Kabbalah . This intellectual basis differentiates Chabad from other forms of Hasidism - in this context referred to as " Chagas " —the "emotional" attributes ( sefirot ) of Ch esed ("kindness"), G evurah ("power"), and T iferes ("beauty"). In Likkutei Sichos talks, the 7th Rebbe equates

576-548: A celebrated 19th century poet and author of the first American Jewish novel, whose work had been forgotten. Sarna received the Association for the Social Scientific Study of Jewry 's Marshall Sklare Award in 2002. He is the author or editor of more than thirty books on American Jewish history and life, his American Judaism: A History , recently published in a second edition, won six awards including

672-510: A child. By the time he was eight years old, he wrote an all-inclusive commentary on the Torah based on the works of Rashi , Nahmanides and Abraham ibn Ezra . Until the age of 12, he studied under Issachar Ber in Lyubavichi (Lubavitch); he distinguished himself as a Talmudist , such that his teacher sent him back home, informing his father that the boy could continue his studies without

768-412: A famous Hasidic parable: A king had an only son who became ill and all the attending doctors were at a loss of how to heal him. A wise person understood the only possible cure. He told the king that he would have to desecrate the royal crown by removing its most precious jewel. This would have to be ground up and fed to the king's son. The king regretted the loss to his majesty but immediately agreed that

864-719: A large network of Hasidic centers. He also joined opposition to Napoleon 's advance on Russia by recruiting his disciples to the Czar's army. He was also active in canvassing financial support for the Jewish settlements in the Land of Israel , then under the control of the Ottoman Empire . As a Talmudist, Shneur Zalman endeavored to place Kabbalah and Hasidism on a rational basis. In his seminal work, Tanya , he defines his approach as " מוח שולט על הלב ‎" ("mind ruling over

960-673: A menace to the Jewish people, but believed that after victory over Russia, Messiah will arrive. Menachem Mendel Schneerson identifies Hopsztajn as the Chasidic leader who preferred that Napoleon defeat the Czar. In 1797 following the death of the Gaon, leaders of the Vilna community accused the Hasidim of subversive activities - on charges of supporting the Ottoman Empire , since Shneur Zalman advocated sending charity to support Jews living in

1056-604: A messianic view of himself in Jews, opening the gates of the ghettos and emancipating their residents as he conquered. He established an ersatz Sanhedrin , recruiting Jews to his ranks, and spreading rumors about his conquest of the Holy Land to make Jews subversive for his own ends. Thus, his opposition was based on a practical fear of Jews turning to the false messianism of Napoleon as he saw it. Yisroel Hopsztajn of Kozienice , another Hasidic leader, also considered Napoleon

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1152-581: A new degree of elucidation in intellectual form, this caused a new, more severe Heavenly accusation to emerge. This went beyond the justified spiritual revival and healing of mainstream Hasidism. Here, in Hasidic thought, Schneur Zalman was seeking to fulfill the Messianic impulse to disseminate Hasidic philosophy as a preparation for Mashiach . Therefore, his subsequent exoneration by the Tzarist authorities

1248-455: A number of educational institutions. Most are Jewish day schools ; others offer secondary and adult education: Many of the movement's activities emphasize outreach activities. This is due to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson encouraging his followers to reach out to other Jews. Chabad outreach includes activities promoting the practice of Jewish commandments ( Mitzvah campaigns ), as well as other forms of Jewish outreach. Much of Chabad's outreach

1344-473: A physical and spiritual low ebb. The only cure would be the dissemination of the inner Divine teachings of Hasidic thought. Even though this would also involve their desecration, this would fully be justified in order to heal the people. The accusing student of the Maggid realised the wisdom of this, and agreed with Schneur Zalman. When the Maggid heard about this, he told Schneur Zalman that "you have saved me from

1440-512: A popular and respected figure, differed with him on a number of issues and led a breakaway movement. When Schneur Zalman died, many of his followers flocked to one of his top students, Aharon HaLevi of Strashelye. He had been Shneur Zalman's closest disciple for over thirty years. While many more became followers of Dovber Shneuri, the Strashelye school of Chassidic thought was the subject of many of Dovber's discourses. Aharon HaLevi emphasized

1536-853: A rival Chabad school in Strashelye , which did not last after his death. In 1940, under the leadership of the previous Rebbe , Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn , the Chabad-Lubavitch movement moved its headquarters to Brooklyn, New York in the United States . Under the leadership of Menachem Mendel Schneerson , Chabad established branches all over the world staffed by its own Lubavitch-trained and ordained rabbis with their wives and children. The number of branches continues to grow to this day, and existing branches continue to expand. Many descendants of Shneur Zalman carry surnames such as Shneur, Shneuri, Schneerson, and Zalman. Shneur Zalman

1632-476: A significant number of Sephardic adherents in the past several decades, and some Chabad communities include both Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews. For example, in Montreal , close to 25% of Chabad households include a Sephardi parent. According to sociologists studying contemporary Jewry, the Chabad movement fits into neither the standard category of Haredi nor that of modern Orthodox among Orthodox Jews. This

1728-480: A succession of Hasidic rebbes . The main branch of the movement, Chabad-Lubavitch, has had seven rebbes: Chabad's influence among world Jewry has been far-reaching since World War II . Chabad pioneered the post-World War II Jewish outreach movement, which spread Judaism to many assimilated Jews worldwide, leading to a substantial number of baalei teshuva ("returnees" to Judaism). The very first Yeshiva/Rabbinical College for such baalei teshuva, Hadar Hatorah ,

1824-610: A year. In a 2020 study, the Pew Research Center found that 16% of American Jews participated in Chabad services or activities at least semi-regularly. The Chabad movement was established after the First Partition of Poland in the town of Liozno, Pskov Governorate , Russian Empire (now Liozna , Belarus ), in 1775, by Shneur Zalman , a student of Dov Ber of Mezeritch , the successor to Hasidism's founder, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov . Rabbi Dovber Shneuri ,

1920-454: Is a book by Rabbi Shneur Zalman first published in 1797. It is the first schematic treatment of Hasidic moral philosophy and its metaphysical foundations. According to the Tanya , the intellect consists of three interconnected processes: Chochma (wisdom), Bina (understanding), and Da'at (knowledge). While other branches of Hasidism primarily focused on the idea that "God desires

2016-429: Is also known as Likutei Amarim ("Collected Sayings"). Sefer Shel Beinonim analyzes the inner struggle of the individual and the path to resolution. Citing the biblical verse "the matter is very near to you, in your mouth, your heart, to do", the philosophy is based on the notion that the human is not inherently evil; rather, every individual has an inner conflict that is characterized by two different inclinations,

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2112-772: Is also known as Shneur Zalman Baruchovitch , using the Russian patronymic of his father Baruch, and by a variety of other titles and acronyms including "Baal HaTanya VeHaShulchan Aruch'" ("Author of the Tanya and the Shulchan Aruch "), "Alter Rebbe" ( Yiddish for "Old Rabbi"), " Admor HaZaken" (Hebrew for ″Our Old Master and Teacher″), "Rabbenu HaZaken" (Hebrew for "Our Old Rabbi"), "Rabbenu HaGadol" (Hebrew for "Our Great Rabbi")", "RaShaZ" ( רש"ז ‎ for Rabbi Shneor Zalman), "GRaZ" ( גר"ז ‎ for Ga'on Rabbi Zalman), and "HaRav" (The Rabbi, par excellence). Shneur Zalman

2208-505: Is celebrated annually by Chabad Hasidim, who hold a festive meal and make communal pledges to learn the whole of the Talmud ; this practice is known as " Chalukat HaShas ". In Chabad tradition, his imprisonment is interpreted as a reflection of accusations in Heaven that he was revealing his new dimensions of mystical teachings too widely. The traditional tendency to conceal Jewish mysticism

2304-735: Is commonly referred to as bringing "heaven down to earth", i.e. making the Earth a dwelling place for God. Chabad philosophy is rooted in the teachings of Rabbis Yisroel ben Eliezer , (the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism) and Dovber ben Avraham , the "Maggid of Mezritch" (Rabbi Yisroel's successor). Rabbi Shneur Zalman 's teachings, particularly in the Tanya , formed the basis of Chabad philosophy, as expanded by succeeding generations. Many Chabad activities today are understood as applications of Shneur Zalman's teachings. The Tanya ( תניא )

2400-556: Is considered authoritative by other Hasidim , and citations to this work are many times found in non-Hasidic sources such as the Mishnah Berurah used by Lithuanian Jews and the Ben Ish Chai used by Sephardic Jews . Shneur Zalman is also one of three halachic authorities on whom Shlomo Ganzfried based his Kitzur Shulkhan Arukh (Concise version of Jewish law). He also edited the first Chabad siddur , based on

2496-549: Is due in part to the existence of the number of Chabad supporters and affiliates who are not Orthodox (dubbed by some scholars as "non-Orthodox Hasidim"), the general lack of official recognition of political and religious distinctions within Judaism, and the open relationship with non-Orthodox Jews represented by the activism of Chabad emissaries. In 2018, Marcin Wodziński conducted the first global estimate of worldwide Hasidism in

2592-567: Is founded on the Kabbalistic notion of the Sephirot . The side of Divine Chesed seeks to give physical and spiritual blessing without restriction. This is counterbalanced by the side of Gevurah , which measures and restricts the flow to the capacity and merit of the recipient. The subsequent Sephirah of Hod implements any restriction in order to preserve the glory of the Divine majesty. In

2688-469: Is interpreted in Chabad as a new Heavenly agreement to begin the fullest dissemination of Hasidic thought without its prior limitations. Chabad tradition tells that in prison, Schneur Zalman was visited by the deceased Baal Shem Tov and Maggid of Mezeritch , who told him the reason for his imprisonment. In reply to the question of whether he should stop, they replied that once released, he should continue with even more dedication. Therefore, in Chabad thought,

2784-402: Is made to provide an atmosphere in which the nonobservant will not feel intimidated by any perceived contrast between their lack of knowledge of Jewish practice and the advanced knowledge of some of the people they meet there. The term "Chabad House" originated with the creation of the first such outreach center on the campus of UCLA by Rabbi Shlomo Cunin . A key to the Chabad house was given to

2880-481: Is performed by Chabad emissaries (see Shaliach (Chabad) ). Most of the communities that Chabad emissaries reach out to are other Jewish communities, such as Reform Jews . Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn , 6th leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch branch of Hasidic Judaism , and then his successor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson were responsible for focusing Chabad's activities on outreach. Rabbi Schneerson

2976-493: Is regarded by The Forward newspaper as one of the most prominent historians of American Judaism. His 2004 book, American Judaism: A History , received the National Jewish Book Award and appeared as Publishers Weekly 's Best Religion Book. In 2011 he was elected president of the Association for Jewish Studies and would serve in the position until 2015. Sarna is a contributor on religion to

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3072-513: Is reserved by Chabad Hassidim for ushering a groom and bride to their wedding canopy and other select occasions. Shneur Zalman's other works include: Solid lines indicate parents/children, dashed lines show marriages, dotted lines show in-laws. Additional members of Schneersohn family are not listed here Jonathan Sarna Jonathan D. Sarna (born 10 January 1955) is the Joseph H. and Belle R. Braun Professor of American Jewish History in

3168-454: Is still an unresolved matter. Following his death, no successor was appointed as a new central leader. The Rebbe was also known to have never visited Israel, for reasons which remain disputed among the Chabad community. The global population of Chabad has been estimated to be 90,000–95,000 adherents as of 2018, accounting for 13% of the global Hasidic population. However, up to one million Jews are estimated to attend Chabad services at least once

3264-518: Is well known for the Shulchan Aruch HaRav , a collection of authoritative codes of Jewish laws and customs commissioned by Dovber of Mezeritch and composed at the legendary age of twenty-one. The Maggid of Mezeritch sought a new version of the classic Shulkhan Arukh for the Hasidic movement. The work states a selection of decided halakha , as well as the underlying reasoning, and common Hasidic customs. The Shulchan Aruch HaRav

3360-597: The Ari Siddur of the famous kabbalist Isaac Luria of Safed , but he altered it for general use, and corrected its textual errors. Today's Siddur Tehillat HaShem is a later print of Shneur Zalman's Siddur. Shneur Zalman composed a number of Hassidic melodies. Some accompany certain prayers, others are sung to Biblical verses or are melodies without words. Depending on the tune they are meant to arouse joy, spiritual ecstasy or teshuvah . One special melody, commonly referred to as The Alter Rebbe's Niggun or Dalet Bovos,

3456-659: The Newsweek – Washingtonpost.com joint project On Faith . He is the author of Lincoln and the Jews: A History , from St. Martin's Press (2015). He is a member of The Rohr Jewish Learning Institute 's Academic Advisory Board. One of Sarna's most widely cited academic contributions relates to his scholarship on Ulysses S. Grant's relationship with American Jews. General Ulysses S. Grant in December 1862 issued an order expelling Jewish traders from his military command; it

3552-557: The misnagdim (opponents of Hasidism), and Shneur Zalman faced much opposition. In 1774 he and Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk traveled to Vilna in an attempt to create a dialogue with the Vilna Gaon who led the Misnagdim and had issued a ban ( cherem ) against the Hasidim, but the Gaon refused to see them (see Vilna Gaon: Antagonism to Hasidism and Hasidim and Mitnagdim ). Undaunted by this antagonism, he succeeded in creating

3648-410: The 2008 Mumbai attacks , the local Chabad house was targeted. The local Chabad emissaries, Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka, and four other Jews were tortured and murdered by Islamic terrorists. Chabad received condolences from around the world. Funds for activities of a Chabad center rely entirely on the local community. Chabad centers do not receive funding from Lubavitch headquarters. For

3744-558: The Alter Rebbe or Baal Hatanya , was a rabbi as well as the founder and first Rebbe of Chabad , a branch of Hasidic Judaism . He wrote many works, and is best known for Shulchan Aruch HaRav , Tanya , and his Siddur Torah Or compiled according to the Nusach Ari . Zalman is a Yiddish variant of Solomon and Shneur (or Shne'or) is a Yiddish composite of the two Hebrew words "shnei ohr" (שני אור "two lights"). He

3840-626: The Czar , later under the Bolsheviks , imprisoned all but one of the Chabad rebbes. The Bolsheviks also imprisoned, exiled and executed a number of Chabad Hasidim. During the Second World War, many Chabad Hasidim evacuated to the Uzbek cities of Samarkand and Tashkent where they established small centers of Hasidic life, while at the same time seeking ways to emigrate from Soviet Russia due to

3936-515: The Davidic dynasty ; however, several modern historians such as Otto Muneles and Shlomo Engard have questioned this claim. Shneur Zalman was a prominent (and the youngest) disciple of Dov Ber of Mezeritch , the "Great Maggid", who was in turn the successor of the founder of Hasidic Judaism , Yisrael ben Eliezer, known as the Baal Shem Tov . He displayed extraordinary talent while still

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4032-623: The Historical Atlas of Hasidism . Using Chabad community directories, Wodziński estimated that Chabad included 16,000–17,000 households, or 90,000–95,000 individuals, representing 13% of the total Hasidic population and ranking Chabad as the second-largest Hasidic community behind the Satmar community . Estimates for Chabad and other Hasidic groups are often based on extrapolation from the limited information available in US census data for some of

4128-529: The Internet , was started by Rabbi Yosef Y. Kazen and developed by Rabbi D. Zirkind. In 2023, it was reportedly the largest faith-based website, with 52 million unique visitors and 102,129 content pages covering all facets of Judaism . In June 1994, Rabbi Schneerson died with no successor. Since then, over two thousand couples have taken up communal leadership roles in outreach, bringing the estimated total number of "Shluchim" to over five thousand worldwide. In

4224-429: The 1960s. Chabad adherents follow Chabad traditions and prayer services based on Lurianic Kabbalah . General Chabad customs, called minhagim (or minhagei Chabad ), distinguish the movement from other Hasidic groups. Some of the main Chabad customs are minor practices performed on traditional Jewish holidays : There are a number of days marked by the Chabad movement as special days. Major holidays include

4320-519: The 19th day of Kislev is called the "New Year of Hasidut", complementing the other 4 Halachic "New Year" dates in the Hebrew calendar . In 1800 Rav Shneur Zalman was again arrested and transported to St. Petersburg, this time along with his son Moshe who served as interpreter, as his father spoke no Russian or French. He was released after several weeks but banned from leaving St. Petersburg. The accession of Tsar Alexander I ( Alexander I of Russia ) to

4416-647: The Chabad movement maintained a secret network across the USSR. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, state persecution of Chabad ceased. The Chief Rabbi of Russia , Berel Lazar , a Chabad emissary, maintains warm relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin . Lazar also received the Order of Friendship and Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" medals from him. The Chabad movement has been led by

4512-459: The Chabad movement. At the age of 39, while studying in the city of Kremenchug , Shneur Zalman died. Shneuri then moved to the small border-town of Lubavichi, from which the movement would take its name. His accession was disputed by one of his father's prime students, Aharon HaLevi of Strashelye , however the majority of Shneur Zalman's followers stayed with Schneuri, and moved to Lubavichi. Thus Chabad had now split into two branches, each taking

4608-528: The Hasidic Rebbes followed in Chabad with different Sephirot divine manifestations: the Baal Shem Tov with Keter infinite faith, Shneur Zalman with Chokhmah (wisdom), the 2nd Chabad Rebbe with Binah (understanding), etc. During the French invasion of Russia , while many Polish Hasidic leaders supported Napoleon or remained quiet about their support, Shneur Zalman openly and vigorously supported

4704-439: The Hasidic story of an earlier episode among the "Holy Society" disciples of Dov Ber of Mezeritch , one of the great followers saw a page of Hasidic writings blowing around the courtyard. He regretted the undue dissemination of Hasidut for its desecration of Divine holiness. In the account, his vocalisation of these thoughts caused a Heavenly accusation against the Maggid, for revealing too much. The young Schneur Zalman replied with

4800-542: The Heavenly accusation". The story of this parable is famous across other Hasidic dynasties as well. Chabad commentary asks about this the question of why a new Heavenly accusation would have arisen against Shneur Zalman himself, and result in his incarceration in St. Petersburg. Had he not already received the Heavenly agreement to the wisdom of disseminating Chassidic teachings? Since Chabad thought presented Hasidic thought with

4896-517: The New York metropolitan area, Chabad in the New York area accounts for around 15% of the total New York Hasidic population. Chabad is estimated to have an annual growth of 3.6%: The Chabad community in France is estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000. The majority of the Chabad community in France are the descendants of immigrants from North Africa (specifically Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) during

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4992-520: The Ottoman territory of Palestine . In 1798 he was arrested on suspicion of treason and brought to St. Petersburg where he was held in the Petropavlovski fortress for 53 days, at which time he was subjected to an examination by a secret commission. Ultimately he was released by order of Paul I of Russia . The Hebrew day of his acquittal and release, 19 Kislev , 5559 on the Hebrew calendar ,

5088-614: The Rebbe and he asked if that meant that the new house was his home. He was told yes and he replied, "My hand will be on the door of this house to keep it open twenty-four hours a day for young and old, men and women alike." Followers of Chabad can be seen attending to tefillin booths at the Western Wall and Ben Gurion International Airport as well as other public places and distributing Shabbat candles on Fridays. Chabad rabbis and their families are sent to various major cities around

5184-612: The Second Rebbe, moved the movement to Lyubavichi ( Yiddish : ליובאַװיטש , Lyubavitsh ), in current-day Russia, in 1813. The movement was centered in Lyubavichi for a century until the fifth Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Dovber left the village in 1915 and moved to the city of Rostov-on-Don . During the interwar period , following Bolshevik persecution, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, under the Sixth Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak,

5280-497: The Sultan. Since this Hirsch ben David was untraceable, some were led to believe that there was no such person as Hirsh and the authorities were attempting to stir up internecine fighting among the Jews. After his release he moved his base to Liadi , Vitebsk Region , Imperial Russia ; rather than returning to Liozna. He took up his residence in the town of Liadi at the invitation of Polish Prince Stanisław Lubomirski , voivode of

5376-642: The Tsar. While fleeing from the advancing French army he wrote a letter explaining his opposition to Napoleon to a friend, Moshe Meizeles: Should Napoleon be victorious, wealth among the Jews will be abundant . . . but the hearts of Israel will be separated and distant from their father in heaven. But if our master Alexander will triumph, though poverty will be abundant . . . the heart of Israel will be bound and joined with their father in heaven . . . . And for God's sake: Burn this letter. Some argue that Shneur Zalman's opposition stemmed from Napoleon's attempts to arouse

5472-580: The aid of a teacher. At the age of 12, he delivered a discourse concerning the complicated laws of Kiddush Hachodesh, to which the people of the town granted him the title "Rav". At age 15 he married Sterna Segal, the daughter of Yehuda Leib Segal, a wealthy resident of Vitebsk , and he was then able to devote himself entirely to study. During these years, Shneur Zalman was introduced to mathematics, geometry , and astronomy by two learned brothers, refugees from Bohemia , who had settled in Liozna. One of them

5568-486: The areas where Hasidim live. A 2006 estimate was drawn from a study on the Montreal Chabad community (determining average household size), in conjunction with language and other select indicators from US census data, it is estimated that Chabad in the United States includes approximately 4,000 households, which contains between 22,000 and 25,000 people. In terms of Chabad's relation to other Hasidic groups, within

5664-508: The center of the movement to Brooklyn, New York, in the United States, where the Rebbe lived on 770 Eastern Parkway until the end of his life. Between 1951 and 1994, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson transformed the movement into one of the most widespread Jewish movements in the world. Under his leadership, Chabad established a large network of institutions that seek to satisfy the religious, social and humanitarian needs of Jews across

5760-570: The conversion. During the latter portion of Dovber's life, his students dispersed over Europe , and after Dovber's death, Shneur Zalman became the leader of Hasidism in Lithuania , along with his senior colleague Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk . When Menachem Mendel died (in 1788), Shneur Zalman was recognized as leader of the Chassidim in Lithuania. At the time Lithuania was the center of

5856-428: The dates of the release of the leaders of the movement, the rebbes of Chabad, from prison, others corresponded to the leaders' birthdays, anniversaries of death, and other life events. The days marking the leaders' release, are celebrated by the Chabad movement as "Days of Liberation" ( Hebrew : יום גאולה ( Yom Geulah )). The most noted day is Yud Tes Kislev —the liberation of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi ,

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5952-537: The day-to-day operations, local emissaries do all the fundraising by themselves. Chabad emissaries often solicit the support of local Jews. Funds are used toward purchasing or renovating Chabad centers, synagogues and mikvahs . The Chabad movement has been involved in numerous activities in contemporary Jewish life. These activities include providing Jewish education to different age groups, outreach to non-affiliated Jews, publishing Jewish literature, and summer camps for children, among other activities. Chabad runs

6048-1012: The department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and director of the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts . He is the son of Hebrew College librarian Helen Horowitz Sarna and biblical scholar Nahum Sarna . Born in Philadelphia and raised in New York City and Newton Centre, Massachusetts , Sarna attended Brandeis University , Hebrew College in Newton Centre, Massachusetts, Mercaz HaRav Kook in Jerusalem , Israel and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut , where he obtained his doctorate in 1979. Sarna

6144-466: The fastest rate of growth of any Jewish religious movement in the period 1946–2015. In the early 1900s, Chabad-Lubavitch legally incorporated itself under Agudas Chasidei Chabad ("Association of Chabad Hasidim"). In the 1980s, tensions arose between Chabad and Satmar Chasidim as a result of several assaults on Chabad Hasidim by Satmar Hasidim. The Chabad movement was subjected to governmental oppression in Russia. The Russian government, first under

6240-450: The founder of the Chabad movement. The day is also called the "New Year of Hasidism". The birthdays of several of the movement's leaders are celebrated each year including Chai Elul , the birthday of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi , the founder of the Chabad movement, and Yud Aleph Nissan , the birthday of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson , the seventh rebbe of Chabad. The anniversaries of death, or yartzeit , of several of

6336-445: The globe, to teach college students, build day schools, and create youth camps. Many of these efforts are geared towards secular or less religious Jews . Additionally, unmarried rabbinical students spend weeks during the summer in locations that do not yet have a permanent Chabad presence, making housecalls, putting up mezuzot and teaching about Judaism. This is known as Merkos Shlichus. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson also initiated

6432-472: The good and the bad. Chabad often contrasted itself with what is termed the Chagat schools of Hasidism. While all schools of Hasidism put a central focus on the emotions, Chagat saw emotions as a reaction to physical stimuli, such as dancing, singing, or beauty. Shneur Zalman, on the other hand, taught that the emotions must be led by the mind, and thus the focus of Chabad thought was to be Torah study and prayer rather than esotericism and song. As

6528-403: The government's suppression of religious life. The reach of Chabad in Central Asia also included earlier efforts that took place in the 1920s. Following the war, and well after the center of the Chabad movement moved to the United States , the movement remained active in Soviet Russia, aiding the local Jews known as Refuseniks who sought to learn more about Judaism. And throughout the Soviet era,

6624-403: The heart," Shneur Zalman argued that God also desires the mind, and he also argued that the mind is the "gateway" to the heart. With the Chabad philosophy, he elevated the mind above the heart, arguing that "understanding is the mother of fear and love for God". The Tanya has five sections. The original name of the first section is Sefer Shel Beinonim , the "Book of the Intermediates". It

6720-468: The heart/emotions"). He chose the name " Chabad " for this philosophy—the Hebrew acronym for the intellectual attributes ( sefirot ) Ch ochma ("wisdom"), B ina ("understanding"), and D a'at ("knowledge”). According to Shneur Zalman, a man is neither a static nor a passive entity. He is a dynamic being who must work to develop his potential talent and perfect himself. Both in his works and in his sermons he "indicated an intelligent and not

6816-404: The highest concentration of Chabad centers is North America. The continent with the fewest centers is Africa. A Chabad house is a form of Jewish community center , primarily serving both educational and observance purposes. Often, until the community can support its own center, the Chabad house is located in the shaliach 's home, with the living room being used as the "synagogue". Effort

6912-645: The importance of basic emotions in divine service (especially the service of prayer). Dovber Shneuri did not reject the role of emotion in prayer, but emphasized that if the emotion in prayer is to be genuine, it can only be a result of contemplation and understanding ( hisbodedus ) of the explanations of Chassidus, which in turn will lead to an attainment of "bittul" (self-nullification before the Divine). In his work entitled Kuntres Hispa'alus ("Tract on Ecstasy"), Dovber Shneuri argues that only through ridding oneself of what he considered disingenuous emotions could one attain

7008-530: The leaders in using free holiday services to reach out across denominations. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, had a core of dedicated Hasidim who maintained underground yeshivos and mikvehs , and provided shechitah and ritual circumcision services in the Soviet Union . Shneur Zalman of Liadi Shneur Zalman of Liadi , ( Hebrew : שניאור זלמן מליאדי ; September 4, 1745 – December 15, 1812 O.S. / 18 Elul 5505 – 24 Tevet 5573) commonly known as

7104-424: The life of his son was more important. The jewel was ground and the solution was fed to the son. Most of the cure fell to the ground, but the son received a few drops and became cured. Concluded Schneur Zalman in defence of Hasidic dissemination, the king represents God, and the son represents the Jewish community, who recognise the "God of Israel". At the time of the emerging Hasidic movement, the Jewish people were at

7200-763: The majority are in the United States and Israel . There are over 100 countries with a small Chabad presence. In total, according to its directory, Chabad maintains a presence in 950 cities around the world: 178 in Europe, 14 in Africa, 200 in Israel, 400 in North America, 38 in South America, and about 70 in Asia (excluding Israel, including Russia). Chabad presence varies from region to region. The continent with

7296-455: The most complex issues of Torah made his writings popular with Torah scholars everywhere. He is probably best known for his systematic exposition of Hasidic Jewish philosophy, entitled Likkutei Amarim , more widely known as the Tanya , said to be first published in 1797. The legendary 1797 Tanya got lost in a fire and no copies survived. The extant version of this work dates from 1814. Due to

7392-663: The movement at large, Agudas Chasidei Chabad , is headed by Rabbi Abraham Shemtov . The educational, outreach and social services arms, Merkos L'Inyonei Chinuch and Machneh Israel are headed by Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky , as well as the Chabad-Lubavitch publishing house, Kehot Publication Society . Local Chabad centers and institutions are usually incorporated as separate legal entities. As of 2020 there were over 3,500 Chabad centers in 100 countries. The Chabad movement's online directory lists around 1,350 Chabad institutions. This number includes schools and other Chabad-affiliated establishments. The number of Chabad centers vary per country;

7488-433: The movement's leaders are celebrated each year, include Yud Shvat , the yartzeit of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn , the sixth rebbe of Chabad, Gimmel Tammuz , the yartzeit of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson , the seventh rebbe of Chabad, and Chof Beis Shvat , the yartzeit of Chaya Mushka Schneerson , the wife of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Chabad's central organization representing

7584-463: The movement. The name Lubavitch derives from the town in which the now-dominant line of leaders resided from 1813 to 1915. Other, non-Lubavitch scions of Chabad either disappeared or merged into the Lubavitch line. In the 1930s, the sixth Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn , moved the center of the Chabad movement from Russia to Poland. After the outbreak of World War II, he moved

7680-459: The name of their location to differentiate themselves from each other. He established a Yeshivah in Lubavitch, which attracted gifted young scholars. His nephew/son-in-law, Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch , headed the Yeshivah, and later became his successor. Thus, while Schneuri succeeded his father as Rebbe of the Chabad movement, a senior disciple of his father, Aharon HaLevi of Strashelye ,

7776-588: The one Orthodox group which evokes great affection from large segments of American Jewry . Chabad Hasidic philosophy focuses on religious and spiritual concepts such as God, the soul, and the meaning of the Jewish commandments. Classical Judaic writings and Jewish mysticism, especially the Zohar and the Kabbalah of Rabbi Isaac Luria , are frequently cited in Chabad works. These texts are used both as sources of Chabad teachings and as material requiring interpretation by Chabad authors. Many of these teachings discuss what

7872-622: The popularity of this book, Hasidic Jews often refer to Shneur Zalman as the Baal HaTanya (lit. "Master of the Tanya"). The Tanya deals with Jewish spirituality and psychology from a Kabbalistic point of view, and philosophically expounds on such themes as the Oneness of God , Tzimtzum , the Sefirot , simcha , bitachon (confidence), among many other mystical concepts. Shneur Zalman

7968-513: The throne,a few weeks later, led to his release; he was then “given full liberty to proclaim his religious teachings” by the Russian government. According to some, his first arrest was not the result of anti-Hasidic agitators fabricating charges, or officials seeking extortion monies. An accusation was made on May 8, 1798 by Hirsh ben David of Vilna accused him of trying to assist the French Revolution , by sending money to Napoleon and

8064-608: The town, were Zalman settled for the next 12 years. His movement grew there immensely, and to this day he is associated with the town. In 1812, fleeing the French Invasion , he left Mogilev , intending to go to Poltava , but died on the way in the small village of Pena , Kursk Oblast . He is buried in Hadiach . Dovber Schneuri moved the movement to the town of Lubavitch ( Lyubavichi ) in present-day Russia . A top follower of Shneur Zalman, Aharon HaLevi Horowitz, established

8160-694: The tradition in the Soloveitchik family, Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev ), attempted to persuade the leader of Lithuanian Jewry, the Vilna Gaon , of the legitimacy of Hasidic practices. However, the Gaon refused to meet with them. Shneur Zalman's sons were Dov Ber Schneuri (who eventually succeeded him), Chaim Avraham, and Moshe . Shneur Zalman's daughters were named Freida, Devorah Leah and Rochel. Other families have lore telling that they are also descendants, but they are undocumented in existing family records. Dovber Schneuri succeeded his father as Rebbe of

8256-583: The ultimate level in Chassidic worship (that is, bittul ). Moshe Schneersohn (born c. 1784 - died, before 1853) was the youngest son of Shneur Zalman. According to scholars he converted to Christianity and died in a St. Petersburg asylum. Chabad sources say that his conversion and related documents were faked by the Church, but Belarusian State archives in Minsk uncovered by historian Shaul Stampfer support

8352-465: The world. Chabad institutions provide outreach to unaffiliated Jews and humanitarian aid, as well as religious, cultural and educational activities. During his life and after his death, Schneerson has been believed by some of his followers to be the Messiah , with his own position on the matter debated among scholars. Messianic ideology in Chabad sparked controversy in various Jewish communities and it

8448-575: Was a blatant display of anti-Semitism and president Abraham Lincoln forced Grant to rescind it. In his book on When General Grant Expelled the Jews (2012) Sarna argues that Grant became one of the greatest friends of Jews in American history. When he was president, he appointed more Jews than any previous president. He condemned atrocities against Jews in Russia , putting human rights on the American diplomatic agenda. Sarna rediscovered Cora Wilburn ,

8544-413: Was a laborer who preferred to earn a living as a gardener rather than accept a post as a community rabbi or as a preacher ( magid ). In this tradition, Baruch was one of the disciples of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov . However, he only occasionally joined his teacher on his legendary travels. This tradition is used to justify why Hasidic records do not refer to Baruch with a rabbinic title, claiming that Baruch

8640-453: Was a pioneer in the field of Orthodox Judaism outreach ( Kiruv ). Each sent out large numbers of rabbinic emissaries, known as " Shluchim ", to settle in places across the world for outreach purposes. The centers that these Shluchim established were termed " Chabad houses ". Chabad has been active in reaching out to Jews through its synagogues, and various forms of more direct outreach efforts. The organization has been recognized as one of

8736-428: Was a prolific writer. He produced works of both mysticism and Jewish law . Chabad tradition recasts his Yiddish name "Shneur" (שניאור) as the two Hebrew words "Shnei Ohr" (שני אור-Two Lights ), referring to Schneur Zalman's mastery of both the outer dimensions of Talmudic Jewish study, and the inner dimensions of Jewish mysticism . His works form the cornerstone of Chabad philosophy . His ability to explain even

8832-576: Was also a scholar of the Kabbalah . Thus, besides mastering rabbinic literature , he also acquired a fair knowledge of the sciences, philosophy, and Kabbalah. He became an adept in Isaac Luria 's system of Kabbalah, and in 1764 he became a disciple of Dov Ber of Mezeritch . In 1767, at the age of 22, he was appointed maggid of Liozna, a position he held until 1801. According to the Chabad Hasidic tradition, Shneur Zalman's father, Baruch,

8928-430: Was averse to any public acknowledgment of his status. In the course of the Hasidic movement's establishment, opponents ( Misnagdim ) arose among the local Jewish community. Disagreements between Hasidim and their opponents included debates concerning knives used by butchers for shechita , and the phrasing of prayers, among others. Shneur Zalman and a fellow Hasidic leader, Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk (or, according to

9024-513: Was born in 1745 in the small town of Liozna , Grand Duchy of Lithuania (present-day Belarus ). He was the son of Baruch, who was a paternal descendant of the mystic and philosopher Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel . According to Meir Perels of Prague , the Maharal was the great-great-grandson of Judah Leib the Elder who was said to have descended paternally from Hai Gaon and therefore also from

9120-640: Was centered in Riga and then in Warsaw . The outbreak of World War II led the Sixth Rebbe to move to the United States . Since 1940, the movement's center has been in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn . While the movement spawned a number of offshoot groups throughout its history, the Chabad-Lubavitch branch is the only one still active, making it the movement's main surviving line. Historian Jonathan Sarna has characterized Chabad as having enjoyed

9216-461: Was established by the Lubavitcher rebbe. It is reported that up to a million Jews attend Chabad services at least once a year. According to journalist Steven I. Weiss , Chabad's ideology has dramatically influenced non-Hasidic Jews' outreach practices. Because of its outreach to all Jews, including those Jews who are quite alienated from religious Jewish traditions, Chabad has been described as

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