Shneur Zalman
(1745 - 1813)
Reb Shneur Zalman was the founder of Chabad Chassidus, and learned about Hasidism from Rabbi Dov Baer HaMaggid, leader of the Hasidic movement. Under
The Maggid, Reb Shneur Zalman wrote updated and profound commentaries
about the Shulchan Aruch. When the anti-Chassidic movement was taking place in
the mid-18th century, Reb Shneur Zalman went to Vilna and attempted
to speak to the Gaon of Vilna to try to reach some kind of understanding
between Chassidim
and Misnagdim. Reb Shneur Zalman later published the Tanya, which
was accepted as the written law of Chabad Chassidus. His ability to
explain even the most complex issues of Torah made his writings popular
with Torah scholars everywhere. Reb Zalman had a vast knowledge of mathematics
and science as well. His son, Rabbi Dov Baer, became the leader of the
Chassidic movement after Reb Shneur Zalman’s death.
Sources: Orthodox
Union |