The Frierdiker Rebbe assumed leadership of the Chabad movement in Soviet Russia in 1920, shortly after the Communist Revolution. After the communist revolution in 1917, the Soviet government launched a vicious campaign against all religious activities and specifically Jewish education. Those involved in such “counter-revolutionary” activities were subject to imprisonment, torture, forced labor and execution.

Rabbi Schneersohn single-handedly kept the fire of Judaism burning behind the Iron Curtain. His loyal emissaries established underground Yeshivot, Mikvaot and other basic religious institutions, often sacrificing their own lives in the process.

After surviving Soviet imprisonment and being expelled from the USSR by the regime in 1927, Rabbi Schneersohn settled in Poland. He miraculously escaped Nazi-occupied Warsaw and arrived in the United States—physically broken, but with a determined spirit—in 1940. In America he adopted the slogan, “America is no different [than Torah-saturated Europe]” and proceeded to create the infrastructure of the now-famous Chabad outreach program, sending emissaries to far-flung communities to spread the light of Torah and Chassidut.

The following words were written by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok shortly after the passing of his father: “The mighty [leaders] of Israel, protectors of the land, even after they return their souls to the bosom of their Father in Heaven… not only do they not depart from the sheep of their flock, but furthermore, they ascend to the base of the Supernal Throne, to appear before the splendor of the exalted G-d, to protect the Jewish nation, to demand the mercy and kindness of the Father for His children, His Nation, His heritage.”

On this day, the 10th of Shevat, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok’s legendary son in law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel, the present Lubavitcher Rebbe, assumed the leadership of the Chabad movement; continuing and exponentially expanding his predecessor’s work.

To read the Rebbe's prison diary, go to http://chabad.org/library/article.asp?AID=2994.