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Rabbi Shmuel Gourarie (?- 25 Adar I, 5681) was one of the great Chassidim of Rebbe Maharash, Rebbe Rashab, and Rebbe Rayatz. He was born in Kremenchug to his father, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Gourarie, the son of Rabbi David Gourarie, and grandson of Rabbi Natan Gourarie, the founder of the prominent Gourarie family lineage.
Rabbi Shmuel spent a period in Lubavitch with Rebbe Maharash. He was extremely wealthy and contributed generously to the Rebbe's household, earning him great favor with Rebbe Rashab and his son, Rebbe Rayatz. In 1918, he purchased a significant portion of the Kherson Genizah manuscripts and gifted them to Rebbe Rashab, who reviewed and confirmed their authenticity. He was also a close confidant of Rebbe Rashab and assisted him in many endeavors.
After the passing of Rebbe Rashab, Rebbe Rayatz instructed Rabbi Shmuel to locate his father’s will, which granted Rebbe Rayatz the leadership of Chabad. Rabbi Shmuel worked diligently to disseminate the will and encourage Chassidim to connect with the Rebbe Rayatz. Additionally, Rebbe Rayatz gave him a silk handkerchief that belonged to his father.
Rebbe Rashab once remarked that just as Rav Saadia Gaon (Rav Saadia Gaon) was considered a "rectification of intellect," Rabbi Shmuel (Rashag) was a "rectification of character." Rabbi Shmuel passed away on Shabbat, 25 Adar I, 5681, while studying Likkutei Torah. He was buried in the same tomb as Rebbe Rashab in Rostov, with the Rebbe once describing him as being "with me in my chamber," meaning wherever he would be, Rabbi Shmuel would also be.
It is traditionally believed that when Rebbe Rashab passed away, he "took" with him a minyan of the most distinguished Chassidim, one of whom was Rabbi Shmuel Gourarie.