In Defense of Chassidus: The Written Depositions of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi

In 5659 (1798), the Imperial Czarist government detained the Alter Rebbe — Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi — on charges of a treason libel intended to stop the rapid spread of the Chassidic movement. A royal commission investigated the matter and found the accusation to be baseless, leading to the release of the Rebbe — an event cerebrated worldwide to this very day. Two years later, the Rebbe was again arrested on similar charges and once again exonerated.

After the fall of the Iron curtain, the archives of the Czarist Attorney General containing all the inter-governmental correspondence involving the case became available. Within it was found what is arguably the most important document of the entire file: the original deposition of the Alter Rebbe in which he answered in writing most of the twenty-two points of contention on which he was interrogated.

Principles Press brings a first-time free translation into English of this fascinating historical document which is sure to draw you in to the Jewish world Chassidus set out to correct and enliven.