Shneur Zalman

Jewish author

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July 13, 2026

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Rabbi Shneur Zalman was the founder of the Habad movement, an offshoot of Hasidism. The name Habad is derived from the Hebrew words for wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge, emphasizing the intellect in spiritual pursuits. Zalman's influential work, Tanya, interprets Jewish mysticism and forms the theoretical basis of the movement. His descendants continued to lead the Habad-Lubavitchers, who are known for their outreach and educational activities, establishing centers in New York City and globally. Hasidism itself is a Jewish movement emphasizing piety and devotion, originating in 18th-century Eastern Europe. It focuses on passionate religious expression and the guidance of charismatic leaders called rebbes.12

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Hebrew literature
The 18th and 19th centuries
Shneur Zalman of Ladi created the highly systematized Ḥabad Ḥasidism, which was widely accepted in Lithuania. The Musar movement of Israel Salanter encouraged the study of medieval ethical writers.
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Shneur Zalman of Ladi created the highly systematized Ḥabad Ḥasidism, which was widely accepted in Lithuania. The Musar movement of Israel Salanter encouraged the study of medieval ethical writers.
Read More

Ḥabad
…leader of Ḥabad was Rabbi Shneur Zalman, a prolific writer of 18th-century Lyady, Russia, whose Liqquṭe amarim (“Collections of Sayings”)—popularly known as Tanya (“There Is a Teaching”) from its opening word—contains the theoretical doctrine of the movement and is an interpretation of Kabbala (esoteric Jewish mysticism). In addition, his five-volume…
Read More
…leader of Ḥabad was Rabbi Shneur Zalman, a prolific writer of 18th-century Lyady, Russia, whose Liqquṭe amarim (“Collections of Sayings”)—popularly known as Tanya (“There Is a Teaching”) from its opening word—contains the theoretical doctrine of the movement and is an interpretation of Kabbala (esoteric Jewish mysticism). In addition, his five-volume…
Read More