Chabad-Lubavitch, arguably the most dynamic contemporary Jewish organization in the world and one of the largest Hassidic groupings, is commemorating a special holiday today. It's known as Yud-Tes Kislev, the 19th day of the month of Kislev, on which the founding Chabad Rabbi - Rebbe Shneior Zalman of Ladi, author of the seminal Chabad work Tanya - was freed from Czarist Russian prison in 1798. This day, known by Lubavitchers as the Rosh HaShanah [New Year] of the Hassidic year, is also the anniversary of the death of the Maggid of Mezritch, who was the successor to Hassidism-founder Rabbi Yisrael Baal Shem Tov, as well as the date of the publication of the Tanya in 1796.
The Chabad movement is guided by the teachings of its seven leaders beginning with Rabbi Shneior Zalman, and up to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who passed away in 1994. Today, 4,000 full-time emissary families around the world direct more than 2,700 Chabad institutions, and a workforce of tens of thousands.
The Chabad movement is guided by the teachings of its seven leaders beginning with Rabbi Shneior Zalman, and up to Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who passed away in 1994. Today, 4,000 full-time emissary families around the world direct more than 2,700 Chabad institutions, and a workforce of tens of thousands.