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Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History Paperback – June 14, 2016

4.7 out of 5 stars 678 ratings

“One of the greatest religious biographies ever written.” – Dennis Prager

In this enlightening biography, Joseph Telushkin offers a captivating portrait of the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, a towering figure who saw beyond conventional boundaries to turn his movement, Chabad-Lubavitch, into one of the most dynamic and widespread organizations ever seen in the Jewish world. At once an incisive work of history and a compendium of Rabbi Schneerson's teachings, Rebbe is the definitive guide to understanding one of the most vital, intriguing figures of the last centuries.

From his modest headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the Rebbe advised some of the world's greatest leaders and shaped matters of state and society. Statesmen and artists as diverse as Ronald Reagan, Robert F. Kennedy, Yitzchak Rabin, Menachem Begin, Elie Wiesel, and Bob Dylan span the spectrum of those who sought his counsel.  Rebbe explores Schneerson's overarching philosophies against the backdrop of treacherous history, revealing his clandestine operations to rescue and sustain Jews in the Soviet Union, and his critical role in the expansion of the food stamp program throughout the United States. More broadly, it examines how he became in effect an ambassador for Jews globally, and how he came to be viewed by many as not only a spiritual archetype but a savior. Telushkin also delves deep into the more controversial aspects of the Rebbe's leadership, analyzing his views on modern science and territorial compromise in Israel, and how in the last years of his life, many of his followers believed that he would soon be revealed as the Messiah, a source of contention until this day.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“[An] excellent new biography of Chabad’s great 20th-century leader… For all his immense achievements, the Rebbe’s power ultimately came from a simple message that anyone can appreciate. As Mr. Telushkin puts it: ‘Love your fellow, and not just those who agree with you….’ Mesmerizing.” — Wall Street Journal

“Through his clear and unambiguous prose cultivated from many sources, Telushkin recounts how the Rebbe fundamentally transformed notions of human potential, as he believed individuals were capable of much more than we imagine for ourselves... Rebbe will be a staple of rabbinic biography for years to come.” — Huffington Post

“The subtitle’s claim that Schneerson was the modern world’s most influential Jewish religious leader is proven throughout this highly readable book… Readers are left to draw their own assessment from the wide-ranging portrait… Fascinating.” — Booklist (starred review)

“A vivid, panoramic view of Rabbi Schneerson-in each of his many roles as dynamic spiritual leader, inspiring teacher, and even motivating life coach and management guru… Telushkin’s Rebbe is a man in constant motion, a non-stop whirlwind of faith-driven energy and action possessed of a spiritual calm.” — The Jewish Week

“An admiring but honest look at Schneerson and his legacy… What stands out is Schneerson’s engagement with the principles by which he managed to wield a considerable influence upon the American cultural scene and the Jewish world… An engaging account.” — Publishers Weekly

“Well-qualified to write about his subject, [Telushkin] draws on Schneerson’s public statements as well as his voluminous correspondence and his thousands of private audiences, with his followers and others, both Jewish and non-Jewish. An approachable and admiring introduction appropriate for readers interested in modern Jewish thought.” — Kirkus Reviews

“One of the greatest religious biographies ever written. Generations from now, Rebbe will be read by people of every faith.” — Dennis Prager, national talk show host and New York Times bestselling author of Still the Best Hope

“An iconic figure comes alive in these pages, a man of wisdom and learning, yes, but also of deep personal caring and kindness… An astounding personal biography.” — Ruth Messinger, President, American Jewish World Service

“Whether you are a believer, an admirer or a respectful skeptic, you will learn much from this deep and accessible account of a truly great man by a great writer.” — Alan M. Dershowitz, professor emeritus, Harvard Law School, and author of Taking the Stand

“Joseph Telushkin’s earthbound study introduces ‘the most influential rabbi in modern history’ by documenting the incremental process through which his influence was acquired… Illuminating.” — Commentary Magazine

“Telushkin offers a rounded portrait of life in the shadow, or the sunlight, of the Rebbe. We meet dozens of followers and hear their stories, get a feel for the texture of their devotion, for why they loved him… It is worth studying how and why his method worked.” — The Jewish Daily Forward

“[Rebbe] should be in the personal library of Americans of every faith.” — Front Page Magazine

“[Rebbe] is an enjoyable book to read, with insights and perspectives as well as details that inform and engage, shedding light on a towering, influential figure.” — Chicago Jewish Star

“With this book, the Rebbe no longer is incomprehensible. Spend some time getting to know the Rebbe. You’ll be glad you did.” — Jewish Herald Voice

“Provides a comprehensive history of the Rebbe’s hallmark focus on the individual-from heads of state to the everyman” — JNS

“To understand why he inspired so many, do yourself a favor and pick up this moving, new biography. You don’t need to be a Jew or even be a religious person to learn from this monumental man.” — New York 1

“Rebbe is that extremely rare thing: a perfect book about a perfect man. [It] brings the great man alive and gives the reader powerful motivation to examine his own life... The Rebbe touched the lives of millions; through Telushkin’s book, he will touch the lives of many more.” — NY Journal of Books

From the Back Cover

Highly motivational, Rebbe is the definitive work on a monumental and multifaceted leader, written by one of today’s most prominent and respected Jewish scholars.

Joseph Telushkin offers a captivating portrait of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, whose profound spiritual and moral teachings galvanized people of all faiths to lead more meaningful and selfless lives.

From a modest synagogue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the Rebbe spearheaded a spiritual revolution, influenced American and Israeli policies, counseled some of our greatest thinkers and statesmen, and spread his message of unconditional love and righteousness to the far corners of the world.

At once an incisive work of history and a compendium of Rabbi Schneerson’s teachings, Rebbe examines the personal side of this towering sage, while exploring in depth his achievements, core philosophy, and revolutionary initiatives, which remain as vibrant and vital as ever.

Rebbe is the authoritative guide to understanding one of the most intriguing figures of the last century, and an indispensable tool to applying his philosophies and example to one’s own life.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition (June 14, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 672 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062318993
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062318992
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.54 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.34 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 678 ratings

About the author

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Joseph Telushkin
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Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, spiritual leader and scholar, is the acclaimed author of nine other nonfiction books, including The Book of Jewish Values, The Golden Land: The Story of Jewish Immigration to America, and Jewish Literacy, the most widely read book on Judaism of the past two decades. He is a senior associate of CLAL, the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, serves on the board of the Jewish Book Council, and is the rabbi of the Los Angeles-based Synagogue for the Performing Arts. He lives with his family in New York City and lectures regularly throughout the United States.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
678 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this biography of Menachem M. Schneerson enlightening and well-written, with many noting how it changed their lives. The book is organized by topic and features interesting anecdotes, with one customer describing it as the greatest spiritual biography ever written. They appreciate the intimate portrayal of the Rebbe's compassion and his extraordinary life dedicated to service and sacrifice. The book receives positive feedback for its coverage of the Chabad movement, with one customer noting how it dispels myths and false rumors about Chabad.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

158 customers mention "Insight"155 positive3 negative

Customers find the book enlightening and inspirational, describing it as a wonderful collection of deep thoughts and interesting content that truly changes lives.

"...morality back to schools, and with all that, his attention to detail was unparalleled. The Rebbe exuded optimism as well, even in his language...." Read more

"...Rebbe's 'book of teachings' I do think it gives the reader a very important glimpse into the life of the Rebbe...." Read more

"“Rebbe” is one of the most wise, informative, and entertaining books written about any man I have ever read...." Read more

"...Organized by topic, reasonably well indexed, this is probably the best written work to consult for The Rebbe's..." Read more

77 customers mention "Written content"73 positive4 negative

Customers praise the book's writing style, describing it as well-written, eloquent, and readable, with one customer noting it is written by a great storyteller.

"...Apart of the excellent and inspirational writing style (which is a given with author Joseph Telushkin), the “Rebbe” book shared so many outstanding..." Read more

"Best Jewish biography I have ever seen. Telushkin does a masterful job in telling the reader about the Rebbe...." Read more

"...by topic, reasonably well indexed, this is probably the best written work to consult for The Rebbe's..." Read more

"powerful book,amazingly written.thank you Joseph Telushkin.i cried while reading about the Rebbe,his stories and messages are my day to day..." Read more

58 customers mention "Biography quality"52 positive6 negative

Customers find this biography compelling and informative, describing it as an encyclopedia of stories about the Rebbe's life.

"...traits of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and illustrates them with intimate details of personal stories...." Read more

"Best Jewish biography I have ever seen. Telushkin does a masterful job in telling the reader about the Rebbe...." Read more

"...Dennis Prager's comment that this is one of the greatest spiritual biographies ever written: a bit of an exaggeration in my opinion...." Read more

"This is one of the most fascinating biographies I have read...." Read more

11 customers mention "Organization"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's organization, noting that it is well-structured and deep, with one customer highlighting its use of categorical rather than chronological order.

"...Organized by topic, reasonably well indexed, this is probably the best written work to consult for The Rebbe's..." Read more

"...Here, he presents many first-hand anecdotes and summaries. A reader can learn a lot from this book. However, it is not a biography...." Read more

"...The read also provides a backstage view and in depth study about the life of a holy person in the Jewish religion...." Read more

"...I'm up to page 145 of the book, and i can not put it down, but its is so deep and i must put it down and really appreciate the idea the Rebbe shared..." Read more

10 customers mention "Intimacy"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the intimacy of the book, noting its deep love and compassion, with one customer highlighting its strong connection to people close to the Rebbe.

"...was able to be very strong in his position and still have very good relationships with those who didn't share his view...." Read more

"...The warmth, love, and joyful spirit of the Chabad Movement enveloped me...." Read more

"...in 770 was electrifying, a man close to HaShem with strong connection to people near to him, which I felt very strongly...." Read more

"...God and on whom He bestowed such wisdom, spiritual knowledge,compassion and understanding seldom found in mere man...." Read more

8 customers mention "Movement"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of the Chabad movement.

"...of a truly humble person who changed our world, in a kind and passionate way...." Read more

"...Very revealing of the man, the movement, and leaves an interesting perspective on the second half of the 20th Century." Read more

"...A window into the mind and soul of a most dynamic, gifted and rare personality. A giant." Read more

"...Would highly recommend it. I learned a tremendous amount about the Chabad movement and about the Rebbe." Read more

7 customers mention "Life"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the biography's portrayal of the subject's extraordinary life, with one customer highlighting his service and sacrifice, while another notes his purely selfless nature.

"...and yet I come away with a sense of relationship and duty after reading this gift...." Read more

"...The rebbe was the ultimate leader, and was purely selfless...." Read more

"Wonderful insight into an extraordinary man and a life of service and sacrifice. Everyone who reads this book can grow as a person." Read more

"...He has given us an interesting portrait of The Rebbe and his extraordinary life." Read more

6 customers mention "Chabad explanation"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate how the book explains Chabad, with one customer noting it dispels myths and false rumors about the movement.

"Telushkin’s work about the Rebbe’s life and the emergence of Chabad is monumental and inspiring...." Read more

"...that I now have a more intimate familiarity and perhaps appreciation for the Chabad and certainly for Rebbe." Read more

"...a history of the Rebbe's life and leadership of Chabad, it instructs us about Chabad, Kabalah, and Judaism. I learned a lot from the book." Read more

""Rebbe" significantly changed and improved my perception of Chabad and I thank Telushikin for that." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2017
    It’s not often that you read a book and as you’re going through it, you say to yourself, “I should write about this topic, too.” Apart of the excellent and inspirational writing style (which is a given with author Joseph Telushkin), the “Rebbe” book shared so many outstanding characteristics of one of the world’s greatest leaders, that I started taking notes so that I could write some articles on leadership. Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson was not only a leader of the Jewish world, but presidents and prime ministers, business leaders, and people of all faiths sought his counsel and followed his ideas.
    Each chapter of the book highlights specific leadership traits of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and illustrates them with intimate details of personal stories. There’s no better way to learn ideas of leadership than to watch a master in action. The Rebbe’s hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of admirers will benefit from stories such as when the Rebbe stopped being able to see visitors for one-on-one meetings, he refused to see anyone on the grounds that he did not want to insult anyone's feelings. The governor of New Jersey, Thomas Kean, asked to meet the Rebbe, but was told, “I am bound by [a] basic tenet of our Torah which requires us to be extra careful in showing respect to all, including those who are less privileged in terms of stature and the like, and they would be embarrassed if they had the feeling that they have been discriminated against.” His thoughtfulness for each individual is highlighted in many stories in the book. But the Rebbe could also see the big picture and consult with, for example, military leaders about war strategies, community leaders about bringing morality back to schools, and with all that, his attention to detail was unparalleled.
    The Rebbe exuded optimism as well, even in his language. He explained, “I have stopped using the word “deadline,” substituting instead “due date,” the first term—which is so widely used—connoting the end of life and the second, life’s beginning.”
    The Rebbe’s respect for his own teachers also shows an amazing sense of humility. He often quoted his father-in-law, the previous leader of Chabad, as saying, “When two people meet, it should bring benefit to a third.” Imagine if more people had that outlook on life!
    I am happy that over twenty-five years ago my college Chabad rabbi insisted that I drive to Brooklyn to meet the Rebbe and get a dollar, which was a gift the Rebbe gave to people to encourage them to give charity.
    Telushkin’s book will be a wise addition to anyone’s reading list.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2014
    Best Jewish biography I have ever seen. Telushkin does a masterful job in telling the reader about the Rebbe. I have been familiar with Rabbi Schneerosn for some 30 plus years, but I never really understood him or knew the scope of his reach or even his philosophy. I also never met him. I heard that he was intellectually gifted, that he was what religious Jews call 'tzadik,' and that he gave dollars. But that was really about it. While I don't see this book as the Rebbe's 'book of teachings' I do think it gives the reader a very important glimpse into the life of the Rebbe. I now know of his relationships with the right and left of American and Israeli politics and his views on the Reform and Conservative movements. That while he would not move even the slightest bit from traditional shulkan aruk, he embraced all people for who they were. Telushkin explains how the Rebbe was able to be very strong in his position and still have very good relationships with those who didn't share his view. A good Telushkin brings is of the Rebbe's relationship with Gen. Moshe Dayan. I have read some of Telushkins other books, including his book about another great leader, Hilel. There is definitely so much all people can learn from Hilel and the Rebbe. The Rebbe taught all people to live a life of meaning and reveal the true good that is in the world. I am sorry I never met the Rebbe during his life. But I feel I now know some of him.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2024
    “Rebbe” is one of the most wise, informative, and entertaining books written about any man I have ever read. I am not Jewish, and yet I come away with a sense of relationship and duty after reading this gift. The Rebbe (Ramash) has left all humanity with a living blueprint to follow and “seize the day” with.
    Author Joseph Telushkin has presented the Rebbe honorably in this book.

    “When two people meet, it should bring benefit to a third.” - the Frierdiker Rebbe
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2014
    First, Dennis Prager's comment that this is one of the greatest spiritual biographies ever written: a bit of an exaggeration in my opinion. One expects a biography to focus on the life, along with--if relevant--the effect of this life on others. There is one chapter
    at the end that provides a brief chronology of The Rebbe's life.

    It is worth noting that Dennis Prager is both a friend of Rabbi Telushkin, the author, and a co-author with Telushkin of at least one popular book, so his enthusiasm is understandable.

    What this wonderful book does is focus on The Rebbe's thoughts and interactions with both his followers
    and "outsiders" who either come to him for help or have been guided by his writings and outreach. It is written
    in a conversational way that caused me to want to continue reading. I gather that Rabbi Schneerson was a
    very private person who worked to keep attention away from himself and on the principles by which
    he lived--a tactic that makes a traditional biography difficult or impossible.

    Organized by topic, reasonably well indexed, this is probably the best written work to consult for The Rebbe's
    spiritual outlook and spiritual work minus the gossip, supposition, and missing or inaccurate sources that flaw some other
    widely distributed publications.

    The Chabad publishing arm provides many wonderful translated works on the Rebbe's thought, but this
    is the book that best synthesizes the spiritual outlook and works of this amazing man--and the one that will
    reach and most satisfy the general reading public.
    29 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Yvette Moore
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book is written from the point of view of ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 21, 2015
    This book is written from the point of view of a man who was given unprecedented access to the Rebbe's world, it's respectful, factual and fascinating. Much of it would already be known to most if not all Chabad chassidim, but for those who admire the Rebbe who aren't his chassidim, this is a valuable insight into the private world of an extraordinary man.
  • lenise velmovitsky
    5.0 out of 5 stars Aprendizado diferente
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 2, 2014
    É um aprendizado a partir de uma historiw devvida muito diferente , aonde posemos aprender cono sermos um pouquinho nelhores
    Report
  • Adela Gorodzinsky
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling
    Reviewed in Canada on January 4, 2020
    Easy to read, well written , interesting and inspiring!
  • Michael Benz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bewegende und ergreifende Lektüre eines großen Menschenfreundes
    Reviewed in Germany on February 27, 2020
    Habe heute begonnen diese großartige Biographie zu lesen und bin noch ganz am Anfang. Ich weiß aber schon jetzt, dass ich das Buch verschlingen werde. Ich habe den Rebben und die Chabad Bewegung erstmalig bei einem längeren Israelaufenthalt mitte der 80iger Jahre zur Kenntnis genommen, und meine ersten Eindrücke von den Chabadnikim war nicht nur postiver Natur. Mich störte damals insbesondere ihre hawkische Einstellung gegenüber den Palestinensern und in Fragen nach territorialen Zugeständnissen. Ich hatte dann aber auch gleichzeitg immer den größten Respekt vor dem Engagement der Chabadbewegung und der charimstischen Führung des Rebben, welche sogar mich als Nichtjuden sprirtuell berührten. Ich freue mich über diese Biographie, und obwohl ich noch ganz am Anfang der Lektüre bin, kann ich sie bereits jetzt jedem nur wärmstens empfehlen. Dieses Buch wird keinen Leser unberührt lassen.
  • Mozzy3
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible.
    Reviewed in Canada on June 30, 2014
    A Fantastic glimpse into the life of an incredible world leader. Telushkin knows how to simplify complicated ideas. He analyzes the leadership style of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson. The pages are filled with pearls of wisdom. I highly recommend this book.