1. The Birth and Passing of the Mitteler Rebbe
The 9th of Kislev, in the year 5534 (תקל״ד; 1773), corresponds to November 24th, 1773. This date marks the birth of the Mitteler Rebbe, Rabbi Dov Ber Schneuri. Uniquely, he was both born and passed away on the same day of the year, a phenomenon rarely seen among tzaddikim—righteous individuals. We find similar occurrences with Moshe Rabbeinu, but it is not common. The tradition teaches that Hashem fills the days of the tzaddikim from day to day, indicating that every day of their lives is purposeful and complete.2. The Alter Rebbe’s Yearning for a Son
The Alter Rebbe was married for fourteen years and had only daughters during that time. He married in the year 5520 (תק״כ), at age fifteen. Desiring a son, he sought a blessing from his Rebbe, the Maggid of Mezritch. The Maggid responded with a verse and explained that by inviting guests, one merits to have a son. Before his passing, the Maggid instructed the Alter Rebbe regarding various customs for when a boy is born, including details about the Shalom Zachor—the gathering held on Shabbos before a boy’s bris. The Maggid also told him to name his son after himself, Dov Ber.3. Customs Surrounding Birth and Naming
When the Mitteler Rebbe was born, as per his teacher’s instruction, the Alter Rebbe named him Dov Ber after the Maggid of Mezritch. On Leil Shimurim—the night before the bris—special prayers and study are conducted to ensure everything goes well with the bris. The Alter Rebbe recalled and fulfilled all that his teacher had told him on this night. Present at these events were members of the Chavraya Kadisha—the holy fellowship—including Rabbi [UNCLEAR: Nachum] Mendel of Horodok and Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk, both prominent students who later moved to Eretz Yisrael.4. Early Celebrations and Traditions
After the bris meal, they traveled to Rabbi [UNCLEAR: Nachum] Mendel of Horodok for the first yahrzeit of the Maggid of Mezritch. That year, Yud-Tes Kislev fell on Parshas Vayishlach, and during Shabbos they recited a maamar beginning with “Yechayeinu miyomoyim.” The Alter Rebbe also gave a special cloth as a diaper for his newborn son—a custom he repeated when his grandson, the Tzemach Tzedek, was born.5. The Passing of the Mitteler Rebbe
On Tes Kislev in 5588 (תקפ״ח; 1827), corresponding to November 28th, 1827, the Mitteler Rebbe passed away at age 54—the same age as his father when he was arrested in Petersburg for a second time. The Mitteler Rebbe sensed foreboding about that year and hinted to his chassidim about his impending passing. He explained that sometimes a tzaddik must choose between suffering or passing away due to spiritual decrees related to their revelations of Torah.6. Final Days in Haditch and Nezhin
During that final year, for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur he traveled to Haditch—the resting place of his father—where many chassidim gathered to hear his teachings. He told them he had succeeded in being exempted from leadership by his father’s merit; some thought this meant he would move to Eretz Yisrael. On returning toward Lubavitch after Yom Tov, he became gravely ill in Nezhin. Despite medical efforts, nothing could be done.7. The Last Night: Joy Amidst Suffering
In Kislev, as his condition worsened daily, on 8 Kislev he attempted to write chassidus about Chanukah but stopped mid-thought due to pain and told chassidim to go home joyfully—since joy sweetens judgments (simcha poretz geder). On Tes Kislev night he fainted repeatedly until finally passing away at dawn while teaching chassidus on “Acharei Hashem Elokeichem teileichu—You shall follow Hashem your G-d.” His last words were “Ki imcha mekor chayim—For with You is the source of life,” after which his soul departed.8. Legacy and Unique Aspects of His Passing
The Tzemach Tzedek remarked that such a passing had not been seen since Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai—to pass away while teaching Torah on one’s birthday is exceedingly rare among tzaddikim. That day became one both of mourning and reflection for Chabad chassidim: what should have been a celebration turned into profound sadness as they buried him in Nezhin instead of Lubavitch. The title “Mitteler Rebbe” (meaning “middle” in Yiddish) stuck because he served between his father (the Alter Rebbe) and successor (the Tzemach Tzedek). Even after more generations passed in Chabad leadership, this name remained associated with him alone. He was named Dov Ber after his grandfather’s teacher—the Maggid (“preacher”) of Mezritch—who was renowned as an outstanding scholar and spiritual leader among early chassidim. While “Maggid” often referred to itinerant preachers or storytellers who inspired communities toward betterment, in this context it denoted an exceptional spiritual guide whose legacy shaped generations through both teaching and personal example.