From: david@bourbon.ee.tulane.edu (David Kaufmann)
Subject: A short history of Yud-Tes Kislev
Nntp-Posting-Host-[nntpd-13449]: bourbon
Organization: E.E. Dept., Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 17:29:53 GMT


This Monday is the 194th anniversary of the liberation of Rabbi
Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad. In honor
of this occasion, the following brief history of the event is
presented.

The 1798 arrest of Rabbi Schneur Zalman, the Alter Rebbe,
founder of Chabad, came at the height of the controversy
between Chassidim and Misnagdim (opponents), mainly through
deliberate misinformation intended to discredit the Chassidic
movement.

Ironically, Rabbi Schneur Zalman strenuously tried to calm
the inflamed passions on both sides and bring about a 
reconciliation, forbidding his followers to make any disparaging 
remarks about the recently deceased Vilna Gaon and instructing 
them to answer every provocation with peaceful and conciliatory
gestures.

In 1798, some militant opponents of Chassidism took the desperate 
step of taking the conflict outside the Jewish community and 
denouncing the Chassidic movement, and particularly its leader, 
the Alter Rebbe. 

The case against Rabbi Schneur Zalman was based on his active 
collection and distribution of funds to Palestine, then under 
Turkish rule. After the first Chassidic emigration to the 
Holy Land, he organized a special fund for the support of 
the rabbis and scholars, obligating every Chassid to help support 
the many families there. 

As Turkey had recently been at war with Russia, it was easy to 
combine this with a misinterpretation of Rabbi Schneur ZalmanUs 
teachings about the kabbalistic concept of Malchus, royalty, and 
present a charge that he was undermining the status and authority 
of the Czar, tantamount to treason. There were also additional 
charges intended to discredit the whole Chassidic movement.

Thus, a formal charge of subversion and treason was 
submitted by the Misnagdim to the authorities in Petersburg. 
On the day after Simchas Torah (24th of Tishrei), Rabbi 
Schneur Zalman was arrested and taken under heavy armed 
guard from Liozna to Petersburg and placed in the Peter-Paul 
fortress, pending an investigation by the Secret Imperial Council.

Aware of the impending arrest, Rabbi Schneur Zalman wrote a 
letter to all Chabad Chassidim, cautioning them against any 
retaliatory action and urging them to be strong in their faith 
and trust in G-d. He also emphasized again that the 
Chassidim should continue to conduct themselves with patience 
and restraint towards the Misnagdim, the opponents of the movement.

A special commission of the Secret Council (Tainy Soviet) 
carried out the investigation. During the interrogation, the 
Alter Rebbe was requested to answer many questions on the 
Jewish faith and religious practices, including questions about 
the practices of Chassidism. He answered them all 
precisely and satisfactorily.

Of course, the Chassidim and the Rebbe's family organized 
prayers, fasting, the saying of Psalms and a network to 
gather information and be ready to provide whatever help they could.

On Tuesday, the 19th of Kislev, fifty-three days after his 
arrest, the Alter Rebbe was found innocent of all charges and released.
His freedom was complete the next day, the 20th of Kislev.

Moreover, the Chassidic movement was officially sanctioned 
and permitted to carry on its practices and activities.

The news electrified the Jewish community of Petersburg, 
with dancing in the streets. The next day, he began his journey home.

This attack through the government increased the sympathy 
for Rabbi Schneur Zalman and the Chassidic movement among 
the moderate and non-committed Jews.

Rabbi Schneur Zalman, aware that the opposition would not cease 
because of this defeat, nevertheless continued to try for 
reconciliation, writing to his followers not to engage in any 
display of triumph.

The vindication of the leader of the Chassidic movement not 
only justified all that Rabbi Schneur Zalman had taught and 
instituted, but gave Chassidism, particularly Chabad 
Chassidism, new strength to continue its mission of 
spreading the wellsprings.

(For more information, see  Schneur Zalman of Liadi and Arrest and 
Liberation: A History of Yud-Tes Kislev.)

MAY THE MERIT OF THE EFFORTS OF THE ALTER REBBE TO INCREASE AHAVAT
YISROEL AND SPREAD THE INNER TEACHINGS OF THE TORAH BE A SOURCE FOR
THE REVELATION OF THE COMPLETE RECOVERY OF THE CURRENT LUBAVITCHER
REBBE, THROUGH WHOSE EFFORTS MAY WE ALL MERIT THE IMMEDIATE COMING OF
MOSHIACH TZIDKAYNU.
David Kaufmann
INTERNET:	david@bourbon.ee.tulane.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish