כד כסלו תרפ"ו - יארצייט הרד"ץ (הרב דוד צבי חן)

1. The Yahrzeit of the Radatz – Reb Dovid Tzvi Chein

The 24th of Kislev, 5686 (תרפ״ו) [UNCLEAR: (1926), corresponding to November 30th], marks the yahrzeit—anniversary of passing—of the great Chassid and scholar, Reb Dovid Tzvi Chein, known as the Radatz. He was renowned among Chabad Chassidim for his genius in Torah and his exceptional righteousness. The Radatz was a figure of immense stature, both in his Torah knowledge and in his personal character.

2. Family Background and Rabbinic Lineage

Reb Dovid Tzvi Chein was the son of Reb Peretz Chein from Chernigov, himself a distinguished Chassid and Torah scholar. Reb Peretz was counted among the prominent Chassidim of the Mitteler Rebbe and the Tzemach Tzedek. His son, the Radatz, became a devoted Chassid to three generations of Rebbeim: the Rebbe Maharash, the Rebbe Rashab, and the Rebbe Rayatz (the fourth, fifth, and sixth Lubavitcher Rebbes). This close connection to multiple generations of leadership placed him at the heart of Chabad history.

3. Ordination by the Rebbe Maharash

The Radatz was one of only three individuals personally ordained as a rav—rabbi—by the Rebbe Maharash. The Rebbe Maharash himself tested these select few before granting them semicha—rabbinic ordination. This rare distinction testifies to his mastery in both nigleh—the revealed dimension of Torah—and nistar—the esoteric teachings.

4. Relationship with the Previous Rebbe

The previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, in his personal notes (reshimos), describes with great affection how much he cherished visits from Reb Dovid Tzvi Chein. He writes that when such an honored guest arrived at eight o’clock in the morning, it brought him tremendous delight due to Radatz’s vast knowledge and firsthand accounts from earlier generations. The Radatz had heard stories both from his own father and from elder Chassidim, as well as directly from leaders such as the Tzemach Tzedek and Rebbe Maharash. The previous Rebbe valued not only these stories but also their explanations, expressing deep gratitude for Radatz’s willingness to share them freely over many years.

5. Aliyah to Eretz Yisrael and Final Years

In 5685 (תרפ״ה; 1924), Reb Dovid Tzvi Chein made aliyah—immigrated—to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Yerushalayim. He was accompanied by his son-in-law, Reb Sholem Shloyma Schneerson, who was a brother of Reb Levi Yitzchak Schneerson (the father of the Lubavitcher Rebbe), making him an uncle to the Rebbe. About nine months after arriving in Eretz Yisrael, Radatz passed away and was buried in the Chabad section on Har HaZesim.

6. The Passing of Reb Sholem Shloyma Schneerson

Reb Sholem Shloyma Schneerson also passed away within a year after making aliyah, on the seventh day of Shevat in 5686 (תרפ״ו; 1926). He was significantly younger than his father-in-law but followed soon after him in passing.

7. Zelda Mishkovsky Schneerson – Family Connections and Legacy

Zelda Mishkovsky Schneerson (commonly known simply as Zelda) was a daughter of Rachel (the daughter of Radatz) and Reb Sholem Shloyma Schneerson. This made her a first cousin to the Lubavitcher Rebbe through her father’s side. Zelda became famous as an Israeli poet whose works are studied widely in schools and universities; she received several prizes for her literary contributions. In 1950 (5710 (תש״י)), Zelda married Reb Chaim Aryeh Mishkovsky, son of [UNCLEAR: Heske Yesef] Mishkovsky—a rabbi from Poland who served as an assistant leader within [UNCLEAR: Agudas Ad Abonim]. Chaim Aryeh completed studies at [UNCLEAR: Yeshiva Shevrin] and became a teacher (rebbe) himself. Zelda stands out not only for her literary achievements but also for maintaining deep traditional faith without irony or doubt—a rarity among Hebrew poets of her era—reflecting her rich family heritage rooted deeply within Chabad history.