In order to save the life of her father, the Alter Rebbe, and the teachings of Chassidus, Rebbetzin Devorah Leah gave up her life. Fulfilling her final request, the Alter Rebbe raised her young orphaned son, Menachem Mendel.
Encouraged by his illustrious grandfather to write his own Torah thoughts, the Tzemach Tzedek became known for his prolific writings in Chassidus and Halachah. In his unique style, he combined the two dimensions of Chassidus and Nigleh into one. Similarly, during his lifetime, he brought about an unprecedented unity between the chassidim and misnagdim. When he agreed to become the third Rebbe of Lubavitch, the Tzemach T zedek stipulated that his leadership be limited to teaching and guiding the chassidim. But when the Czar's tyrannical decrees threatened Jewish education and the Jewish way of life throughout Russia, he rose to battle for the survival of Russian Jewry.
The Tzemach Tzedek tirelessly combated the Enlightenment (Haskalah) Movement and set up underground networks to help the Cantonist soldiers maintain their Jewish identity. Single-handedly, he derailed the Czar's insidious plans to wreak havoc on Jewish life. Establishing agricultural communities, finding livelihoods for tens of thousands of Jewish families, setting up chadorim throughout Russia and helping agunos were just some of his many accomplishments. His devotion and concern directed to every Jew, chossid and non-chossid alike.