Rabbi Shneur Zalman Fradkin of Lublin - "Torat Chesed"

Gaon Rabbi Shneur Zalman Fradkin of Lublin, author of the sefer "Torat Chesed," was one of the greatest Torah scholars of his generation. He was born in the town of Lyady (hence his family bore the surname "Ladier"). He was born to Reb Shlomo and Adel, through a brachah given by the Alter Rebbe to his maternal grandfather, Reb Dovber. After one of his sons passed away, the Alter Rebbe told Reb Dovber: "I will comfort you with the news that your daughter will have a son who will light up the eyes of Yidden." The young Shneur Zalman turned out to be a prodigy. By age 11 he had already reached such a level that the Tzemach Tzedek consulted with him on questions concerning agunot. Later, the Tzemach Tzedek instructed his son, the Rebbe Maharash, to grant him smicha. In 5615 Reb Shneur Zalman was appointed Rav and Av Beit Din of Polotsk, and in 5628 he moved to Lublin. During his time there, he wrote thousands of teshuvot and halachic rulings, which were sent to people all over the world. Some of these were printed in his sefer "Torat Chesed." Reb Shneur Zalman was held in great esteem by everyone. After his marriage, a fire broke out that destroyed all the property of his wealthy father-in-law. As a result, Rabbi Shneur Zalman was compelled to accept the position of rabbi of Płock. Doctors were utterly astonished by his remarkable memory, saying that the size of his brain was twice the normal size. In fact, he was able to review 18 chapters of Mishnah in 18 minutes. He was asked many halachic questions, the answers to which he compiled into his great work titled "Torat Chesed." On 19 Tammuz 5652, the Gaon moved to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Jerusalem, where he remained until his passing. All the great men of Torah, as well as the entire people, honored him like a king. Legends circulated throughout the land about his holiness, and wondrous stories are told about him. On 5 Nissan 5662, his soul ascended to the heavenly Yeshiva to bask in the hidden light reserved for tzadikim. On the day of his passing, the heavens broke out in lightning and thunder, and torrential rain poured down upon the land. Rabbi Shneur Zalman Fradkin of Lublin is buried on the slopes of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. May the memory of the tzadik be blessed! https://derher.org/wp-content/uploads/79-Adar-II-5779-biography-of-reb-shneur-zalman-fradkin.pd