Today, the 13th of Nisan, marks the 159th anniversary of the passing of the Third Lubavitch Rebbe – Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, also known as Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek.
For over thirty-eight years, Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek led the Lubavitch movement after his uncle, Rebbe Dov Ber, the Second Lubavitch Rebbe. He waged a decisive struggle against the oppression of Jews by the tsarist authorities during the reign of Nicholas I, as well as against the assimilationist movement of the ‘enlighteners’ during the reign of Alexander II.
We present a story about the last hours of his earthly life:
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson (Tzemach Tzedek) was the third leader of the Lubavitch movement.
In the month of Kislev 5620, he fell seriously ill, and this illness lasted over six years until his departure from this world. For the last six months, it was very difficult for him to speak, yet even during this time, the chassidim witnessed numerous miracles.
Tzemach Tzedek refused to receive visitors with material requests, saying, ‘I do not see the body – I only see the light of the soul, therefore I cannot respond to questions related to the material.’
A few days before his departure, the Rebbe became very weak. A doctor from Lubavitch was called, who stated that he saw nothing special.
The next day, the Rebbe’s condition worsened. All day long, the chassidim recited Tehillim, and even added a name for him – Meir.
By evening, it was reported that the Rebbe’s condition had improved, but soon it became clear that there was no hope. The Rebbe’s bed stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by people with candles in their hands. Tzemach Tzedek lay motionless, only following the presence with his gaze. At one o’clock in the morning, his soul ascended to the Higher Worlds.
On the way to the cemetery, no one cried. From the outside, it might have seemed as if a wedding procession was passing by.’
Rebbe Tzemach Tzedek became the first Lubavitch Rebbe whose grave is located in Lubavitch. Later, the Fourth Rebbe of Chabad, Rabbi Shmuel, known as Maharash, was also buried there.
