The Rashab — Fifth Chabad Rebbe
רש”ב | 1860–1920
Teacher: Maharash
Students: Rayatz
Biography
Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber Schneersohn (1860–1920), known by the acronym “Rashab” (Rabbi Shalom Ber), was the fifth Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch. He was the son of the Maharash.
He is widely considered to have produced the most intellectually rigorous and systematic Chassidic discourses in Chabad history. His discourses are known for their extraordinary depth in Kabbalistic-Chassidic analysis.
He founded the Chabad yeshiva system, establishing Tomchei Temimim in Lubavitch in 1897 — the first time Chassidic thought was formally incorporated into yeshiva curriculum. He insisted that students who mastered Chassidus would be temimim (complete/wholesome).
During WWI, he relocated to Rostov-on-Don, where he passed away.
Major Works:
- Hemshech Ta’arech (also known as Hemshech 5666) — A famous continuous discourse exploring the deepest aspects of tzimtzum, divine names, and spiritual worlds
- Kuntres UMaayan — “Pamphlet and Spring,” on the unity of God and its implications
- Igros Kodesh (Rashab) — Letters
- Torat Shalom Responsa — Responses to questions
Works in This Library
Part of the Chabad Library Wiki