Shneur Zalman of LiadiShneur Zalman of Liadi (Hebrew: שניאור זלמן מליאדי; September 4, 1745 – December 15, 1812 O.S. / 18 Elul 5505 – 24 Tevet 5573), commonly known as the Alter Rebbe or Baal Hatanya, was a rabbi and 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 Ohr, compiled according to the Nusach Ari.
Haredi JudaismBranch of Orthodox JudaismA Haredi Hasidic family walking in Brooklyn, New York CityHaredi Judaism (Hebrew: יהדות חֲרֵדִית, romanized: Yahadut Ḥaredit, IPA:) is a sector of Orthodox Judaism that is characterized by its strict interpretation of religious sources and its accepted halakha (Jewish law) and traditions, in opposition to more accommodating values and practices.Chabad affiliated organizationsChabad affiliated organizations and institutions number in the thousands. Chabad is a Hasidic movement, a branch of Orthodox Judaism. The organizations and institutions associated with the movement provide social, educational and religious services to Jews worldwide. Local Chabad centers and institutions are often incorporated as separate legal entities.
ChokmahChokmah (Hebrew: חָכְמָה, romanized: ḥoḵmā, also transliterated as chokma, chokhmah or hokhma) is the Biblical Hebrew word rendered as "wisdom" in English Bible versions (LXXσοφίαsophia, Vulgatesapientia). It is the second of the ten sefirot in Kabbalah, and represents the first power of conscious intellect and subtle manifestation, emerging from Keter's pure potentiality.
Hebrew languageNorthwest Semitic languageHebrew is a Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and remained in regular use as a first language until after 200 CE and as the liturgical language of Judaism (since the Second Temple period) and Samaritanism.
Hasidic JudaismReligious subgroup of modern Judaism
Russian EmpireRussian state from 1721 to 1917The Russian Empire was an empire that extended across northern Eurasia from 1721 until the proclamation of the Russian Republic in 1917, forming the final era of Tsarist Russia and the wider Russian monarchy. At its height in the late 19th century, it covered about 22,800,000 km (8,800,000 sq mi), roughly one-sixth of the world's landmass, making it the third-largest empire in history, behind only the British and Mongol empires.
List of Hasidic dynasties and groupsA Hasidic dynasty or Chassidic dynasty is a dynasty led by HasidicJewish spiritual leaders known as rebbes, and usually has some or all of the following characteristics: Each leader of the dynasty is referred to as an ADMOR (abbreviation for Adoneinu Moreinu Verabeinu – "our master, our teacher, and our rabbi"), or simply as Rebbe (or "the Rebbe"), and at times called the "Rav" ("rabbi"), and sometimes referred to in English as a "Grand Rabbi";The dynasty continues beyond the initial leader's lifetime by succession (usually by a family descendant);The dynasty is usually named after a key town in Eastern Europe where the founder may have been born or lived, and sometimes, such as in the case of the Bostoner Chassidim, where the group began to grow and flourish or where a significantly influential Jewish teacher founds a court or yeshiva where students go to learn from, or consult with, that Rebbe;The dynasty has (or once had) followers who, through time, continue following successive leaders (rebbes), or may even continue as a group without a leader by following the precepts of a deceased leader.Distinguished from a dynasty, a Hasidic group or Chassidic group has the following characteristics: It was founded by a leader who did not appoint or leave a successor;It may be named after a key town in Eastern Europe where the founder may have been born or lived, or where the group began to grow and flourish, or it may be named after the founder himself;It has followers who continue as a group under the direction of rabbis who expound and interpret the precepts of the deceased founder.Dynasties with larger followingHasidic dynasties (arranged alphabetically) with a large following include: Dynasties with smaller followingHasidic dynasties (arranged alphabetically) with a small following include: Hasidic groups (non-dynastic)Other dynastiesMany of these dynasties have presently few or no devotees, due to most of the Hasidic groups being destroyed during the Holocaust, 1939–1945.
American EnglishAmerican English, sometimes called United States English or U.S. English, is the set of varieties of the English language native to the United States. English is the most widely spoken language in the U.S., as well as the common language used in government, education, and commerce in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in all U.S. territories except Puerto Rico. Since the late 20th century, American English has become the most influential form of English worldwide.
Binah (Kabbalah)Binah (meaning "understanding"; Hebrew: בִּינָה Bīnā) is the third sephira on the kabbalistic Tree of Life. It sits on the level below Keter (in the formulations that include that sephirah), across from Chokmah and directly above Gevurah. It is usually given four paths: from Keter, Chokmah, to Gevurah and Tiphereth.
LyoznaLyozna or Liozno is an urban-type settlement in Vitebsk Region, Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Lyozna District. It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) east-southeast of Vitebsk, close to the border with Russia by the Vitebsk–Smolensk railroad branch and highway, on the Moshna River. As of 2025, it has a population of 6,515.
YiddishYiddish, historically referred to as Judeo-German or Jewish German, is a West Germanic language and Jewish ethnolect historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. It originated in the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, and provided the nascent Ashkenazi community with a vernacular based on High German, fused with many elements taken from Hebrew (notably Mishnaic Hebrew) and to some extent Aramaic.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.