The Tzemach Tzedek — Third Chabad Rebbe

צמח צדק | 1789–1866

Teacher: Mitteler Rebbe

Students: Maharash

Biography

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn (1789–1866), known as the “Tzemach Tzedek” (Flourishing Righteousness) after his major halachic work, was the third Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch. He was the grandson of the Alter Rebbe (through his mother) and the son-in-law of the Mitteler Rebbe.

He was a towering figure in both Chassidic thought and halacha, producing an enormous body of work across both domains.

Major Works:

• Or HaTorah — His encyclopedic Chassidic commentary spanning Torah, Prophets, Psalms, and more
• Derech Mitzvosecha — Chassidic reasons for the commandments
• Responsa (Tzemach Tzedek) — A massive multi-volume halachic responsa work spanning thousands of teshuvot
• Sefer HaChakirah — Philosophical investigations
• Yahal Or al Tehillim — Commentary on Psalms
• Maamarim Tzemach Tzedek — Collected discourses

He led a major campaign against the Russian government’s Haskalah (Enlightenment) decrees that threatened traditional Jewish life, traveling to St. Petersburg multiple times to advocate before the authorities.

After his passing, several of his sons founded separate Chassidic courts, while Chabad continued through his youngest son, who became the Maharash.

Works in This Library

• Or HaTorah (Tzemach Tzedek)
• Derech Mitzvosecha
• Responsa (Tzemach Tzedek)
• Sefer HaChakirah
• Yahal Or al Tehillim
• Maamarim Tzemach Tzedek
• Igros Kodesh (Tzemach Tzedek)

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Part of the Chabad Library Wiki