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'Shneur Zalman of Liadi, was the founder and first Rebbe of Chabad Lubavitch . He was a prominent student of Dovber of Mezeritch, the Great Maggid. After the death of their teacher, the various students dispersed. Rabbi Shneur Zalman became the leader of Hasidism in Lithuania, and is accepted as one of the great Hasidic leaders. He involved himself in opposing Napolean's advance on Russia and supporting the Jewish settlements in Israel. He was imprisoned by the Czar on charges of supporting the Ottomon Empire, since he advocated sending charity to the Ottomon territory of Palestine. The day of his acquittal and release, the 19th of Kislev, is celebrated as the "Hasidic New Year" by having a festive meal and communal pledges to learn the whole of the Talmud known as "Chalukat Ha'Shas."

He was also known by the names of two works that he authored. One was a classic of kabala and mysticism called the Tanya. Thus he was called the Baal HaTanya .

The other work is on Jewish Law , halakha , known as the Shulchan Aruch HaRav , the "Code of Law of the Rav" . His work is the halkhic foundation of all Hasidism, and is used as referenced by scholars and laymen. Citations are routinely found in such varied sources as the Mishnah Berurah amd Ben Ish Chai.