1. Early Life and Family Background
Rebbetzin Chana, the mother of the Rebbe, was born on the 28th day of Teves in the year 5640 (תר”מ) — 1880, in the city of Nikolayev. Her father, Reb Meir Shlomo Yanovsky, was a renowned rabbi, a great genius and a chossid. Her mother’s name was Rasha. At age 20, on the 13th day of Sivan in 5660 (תר”ס), Rebbetzin Chana married Reb Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, who would later become the Rebbe’s father and a prominent rabbi and chossid himself.
2. Marriage and Early Years with Reb Levi Yitzchok
Nearly two years after their marriage, in 5662 (תרס”ב), their eldest son—the Rebbe—was born. Seven years later, in 5669 (תרס”ט), Reb Levi Yitzchok was called to serve as the rabbi of Yekaterinoslav (today Dnepropetrovsk). For thirty years he held this position, with Rebbetzin Chana at his side supporting all his holy work. She was not only knowledgeable in Torah but also a lamdanit—a woman scholar—and fluent in Russian. Her intellect and pleasant personality contributed greatly to her husband’s influence and success.
3. Hardships During Soviet Persecution
In 1939 (תרצ”ט), Reb Levi Yitzchok was imprisoned due to his efforts to strengthen Yiddishkeit—Jewish life—under Soviet oppression. He was eventually exiled to Chiali in Kazakhstan. As soon as Rebbetzin Chana discovered his location, she bravely joined him despite significant dangers and difficulties. In Chiali, she alleviated some of her husband’s suffering and made an invaluable spiritual contribution by producing ink and procuring paper so he could record his Torah insights—writings that would be published thirty years later by the Rebbe.
4. Personal Strength and Character
Rebbetzin Chana was known for her outstanding character traits—few matched her greatness. She endured many years of pain: during her husband’s incarceration and exile, after becoming a widow alone among millions under hostile conditions where anyone named Schneerson was viewed with suspicion. Despite all this, she never complained to Hashem; she accepted everything with love and never showed sadness or bitterness outwardly. She kept her pain private within her heart.
5. Emigration from Russia and Reunion with the Rebbe
In 1947 (תש”ז), after years of tribulation, Rebbetzin Chana miraculously managed to leave Russia for Paris, where she reunited with her eldest son—the Rebbe—after twenty years apart. From Paris they traveled together to New York, marking a new period of joy for her as her son became leader of Chabad in 1950 (תש”י). The Rebbe honored his mother greatly; he visited her daily on both weekdays and Shabbos.
6. Dedication to Preserving Torah Teachings
At a gathering for Vav Tishrei in תש”ז, the Rebbe described how his mother took upon herself not only daily worries but also an additional mission: ensuring that the teachings of her husband would be publicized so many could benefit from his commentaries on Pnimius haTorah—the inner dimension of Torah—according to Chabad tradition. All this she did to hasten the true redemption through Moshiach Tzidkeinu, which depends on spreading these wellsprings outward.
7. Final Years in Brooklyn and Legacy
Rebbetzin Chana lived her final seventeen years in Brooklyn until she passed away on Shabbos Vav Tishrei (Shabbos Teshuvah) in 5725 (תשכ”ה) — 1964. Many institutions were established bearing her name—such as Bais Chana—and she is interred at the cemetery near the Ohel, across from the Rebbe’s gravesite in the women’s section.
8. The Rebbe’s Devotion to His Mother
The Rebbe exemplified how one should cherish and honor a mother. When his brother passed away during their mother’s lifetime, he went out of his way to prevent her from finding out so as not to cause her pain—even sending postcards pretending they were from his brother so she would believe he was still alive. Despite an extremely busy schedule, the Rebbe visited his mother every day and personally served her tea or other small gestures of honor. She lived just a few blocks from 770 Eastern Parkway on President Street.
9. Lessons from Vav Tishrei
The yahrtzeit of Vav Tishrei teaches us about self-sacrifice for Torah values, honoring parents with true devotion, and enduring hardships with faith and dignity—all embodied by Rebbetzin Chana and reflected in how the Rebbe related to her throughout their lives together.
1. Early Life and Family Background
Rebbetzin Chana, the mother of the Rebbe, was born on the 28th day of Teves in the year 5640 (תר”מ) — 1880, in the city of Nikolayev. Her father, Reb Meir Shlomo Yanovsky, was a renowned rabbi, a great genius and a chossid. Her mother’s name was Rasha. At age 20, on the 13th day of Sivan in 5660 (תר”ס), Rebbetzin Chana married Reb Levi Yitzchok Schneerson, who would later become the Rebbe’s father and a prominent rabbi and chossid himself.
2. Marriage and Early Years with Reb Levi Yitzchok
Nearly two years after their marriage, in 5662 (תרס”ב), their eldest son—the Rebbe—was born. Seven years later, in 5669 (תרס”ט), Reb Levi Yitzchok was called to serve as the rabbi of Yekaterinoslav (today Dnepropetrovsk). For thirty years he held this position, with Rebbetzin Chana at his side supporting all his holy work. She was not only knowledgeable in Torah but also a lamdanit—a woman scholar—and fluent in Russian. Her intellect and pleasant personality contributed greatly to her husband’s influence and success.
3. Hardships During Soviet Persecution
In 1939 (תרצ”ט), Reb Levi Yitzchok was imprisoned due to his efforts to strengthen Yiddishkeit—Jewish life—under Soviet oppression. He was eventually exiled to Chiali in Kazakhstan. As soon as Rebbetzin Chana discovered his location, she bravely joined him despite significant dangers and difficulties. In Chiali, she alleviated some of her husband’s suffering and made an invaluable spiritual contribution by producing ink and procuring paper so he could record his Torah insights—writings that would be published thirty years later by the Rebbe.
4. Personal Strength and Character
Rebbetzin Chana was known for her outstanding character traits—few matched her greatness. She endured many years of pain: during her husband’s incarceration and exile, after becoming a widow alone among millions under hostile conditions where anyone named Schneerson was viewed with suspicion. Despite all this, she never complained to Hashem; she accepted everything with love and never showed sadness or bitterness outwardly. She kept her pain private within her heart.
5. Emigration from Russia and Reunion with the Rebbe
In 1947 (תש”ז), after years of tribulation, Rebbetzin Chana miraculously managed to leave Russia for Paris, where she reunited with her eldest son—the Rebbe—after twenty years apart. From Paris they traveled together to New York, marking a new period of joy for her as her son became leader of Chabad in 1950 (תש”י). The Rebbe honored his mother greatly; he visited her daily on both weekdays and Shabbos.
6. Dedication to Preserving Torah Teachings
At a gathering for Vav Tishrei in תש”ז, the Rebbe described how his mother took upon herself not only daily worries but also an additional mission: ensuring that the teachings of her husband would be publicized so many could benefit from his commentaries on Pnimius haTorah—the inner dimension of Torah—according to Chabad tradition. All this she did to hasten the true redemption through Moshiach Tzidkeinu, which depends on spreading these wellsprings outward.
7. Final Years in Brooklyn and Legacy
Rebbetzin Chana lived her final seventeen years in Brooklyn until she passed away on Shabbos Vav Tishrei (Shabbos Teshuvah) in 5725 (תשכ”ה) — 1964. Many institutions were established bearing her name—such as Bais Chana—and she is interred at the cemetery near the Ohel, across from the Rebbe’s gravesite in the women’s section.
8. The Rebbe’s Devotion to His Mother
The Rebbe exemplified how one should cherish and honor a mother. When his brother passed away during their mother’s lifetime, he went out of his way to prevent her from finding out so as not to cause her pain—even sending postcards pretending they were from his brother so she would believe he was still alive. Despite an extremely busy schedule, the Rebbe visited his mother every day and personally served her tea or other small gestures of honor. She lived just a few blocks from 770 Eastern Parkway on President Street.
9. Lessons from Vav Tishrei
The yahrtzeit of Vav Tishrei teaches us about self-sacrifice for Torah values, honoring parents with true devotion, and enduring hardships with faith and dignity—all embodied by Rebbetzin Chana and reflected in how the Rebbe related to her throughout their lives together.