Chabad - Who are we?
From: Chabad.AM Editorial Staff 2004-05-28 14:12:31

Chassidus chabad movement, was established over two hundred years ago, by Rabbi “Schneur Zalman” of Liadi, known today as the “Alter Rebbe”. Before he established chassidus chabad, there were leaders of general chasssidus, Rabbi Israel-Baal-Shem-Tov and afterwards Rabbi Dov Ber the Mezritcher Maggid.
Chassidus is the revelation and explanation on the teachings of Kabala, which until then was hidden, and was not given to learn for the public. The Baal-Shem-Tov writes in one of his letters, when I encountered moshiach, I asked him: “master when are you coming?” moshiach answered: “when the wellsprings of your teachings spread outward”. For the coming of the redemption is dependent on the dissemination of chassidus. The torah is like a body and soul, there is the part in torah called “nigleh” the revealed part, which contains the bible, Mishna, Talmud etc. Then there is the second part in torah “nistar” hidden, the hidden part contains books of kabala like zohar etc. And chassidus is a continuation and abstraction of the teachings of kabala.
The Alter Rebbe wrote the “Tanya” which is the base of chabad Chassidic teachings, and its 5000 additions since have repeatedly invigorated the Jewish world with a message of informed inspiration. (Which the present Lubavitcher Rebbe King Moshiach shlita had commanded to print this book in every place on the globe.)
In addition to the Tanya, by the command of his Rebbe the Maggid, he wrote the shulchan aruch, the codification of Jewish law.
His name Schneur in Hebrew means two lights; the lights of chassidus-Tanya, and the light of the revealed part in torah-the codification of Jewish law. (Shulchan aruch.)
The Alter Rebbe in the beginning of his leadership, like the leaders before him did not focus to much on the spreading of chassidus, until his release from the czar’s prison, their in prison his Rabbis the Baal-Shem-Tov and the Maggid came to visit him, and told him to spread the light of chassidus even more, so when the Alter Rebbe was fried from prison, he started spreading the light of chassidus, and thousands of Jews became his Chasidim.
After his passing his son Rabbi “Dov Ber” took over the leadership, known as the “Miteler Rebbe”. His teachings were the deepest teachings in chassidus, and his books are very deep. After his passing his son-in-law Rabbi “Menachem Mendel” called the “Tzemach Tzedek” took over the chabad movement. He was the first Rebbe who settled in the town of Lubavitch, which since then this became as a second name for the chabad movement.
The forth Rebbe was Rabbi “Shmuel”, called the Rebbe “Maharash”. After him was the Rebbe “Rashab” Rabbi “Sholom Dov Ber”. He had left the town of lubavitch, and moved to the city called Rostov.
The sixth generation, his son Rabbi “Yosef Yitzchak” Schneurson, known as the “previous Rebbe”, served 30 years as leader of chabad movement; with many years in the Soviet Union sacrificing is life, to keep the flame of Judaism lit in the darkness of those days.
After his freedom from prison for spreading torah, mitzvoth, and chassidus in Russia, which there in prison he proved, that life threatening has no impact on him. To the contrary the Rebbe had made his way out of the soviet union, to America, were he moved the chabad lubavitch headquarters, to 770 eastern parkway in Brooklyn, new York, which from their light goes out to the entire world.
On the tenth day of Shevat 1950, the previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak passed away. On the first passing anniversary there was held a special Chassidic gathering, where his son-in-law Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneursohn the present Lubavitcher Rebbe King Moshiach may he live for ever, took upon himself the leadership of the chabad lubavitch movement.
Already in that gathering the Rebbe King Moshiach shlita had announced the mission of the seventh generation. In the first Chassidic discourse, which was based on the Chassidic discourse of the previous Rebbe, he made it clear that our mission is to bring the final redemption trough moshiach.
Going threw the years you could see how step after step he prepared the world for the revelation of moshiach, and promised, that we, the seventh generation is the last generation of exile and the first generation of the redemption.
With preparing the world for the coming of moshiach, he called to strengthen the Jewish home, one mitzvah at a time, to make their home a dwelling place for g-d.
For Jewish children he established the organization “Tzivos Hashem” (G-d’s army), and that every Jewish child should be part of this army as preparation for the redemption. Their private rooms should be a room of a soldier in g-d’s army, through having their own charity box, Chitas (Chumash, Tehilim, and Tanya), prayer book, and other holy Jewish books.
In 1981 he called to write a sefer torah (torah scroll), to unite all Jewish children, trough each child purchasing one letter. Since then there were already written a few torah scrolls.
For adults he called to strengthen in other mitzvoth like teffillin, keeping kosher, have a kosher mezuzah on every door post, Jewish education, family purity – the foundation of the Jewish nation etc.
And for all mankind, to keep the seven universal noahide laws, given by g-d to all mankind.
So to with al other things the Rebbe King Moshiach shlita campaigned for, was all leading to one purpose: to make this world a better and purified place, for the final redemption.
Through the year’s people from al walks of life turn to the Rebbe King Moshiach shlita, and ask for his blessings and advice.
Also today, until to the full and complete revelation, Jews from all corners of the globe still turn to the Rebbe King Moshiach shlita to be helpt with his blessing and advice, through the “Igrot Kodesh” (books of his holy letters).
Now that the world had already changed, and became a better place, through the Rebbe King Moshiach shlita’s emissaries on every corner of the globe. Every person should bring out his connection with the leader of this generation. Since we are already by the threshold of the redemption, we have to spread to everyone that moshiach is already here, and all that’s left is to open our eyes, and see the complete revelation through the Rebbe King Moshiach shlita immediately.
Long live our Master, Teacher, Rebbe, King Moshiach forever and ever








