Years: 1745–1812
Primary city: Liadi
A leading talmid of the Maggid of Mezeritch, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi founded the Chabad school of Chasidic Judaism. He authored the Tanya, a foundational work of Chabad philosophy, which systematically outlines a path to serving God through intellectual contemplation and mystical deveikus. He also composed the Shulchan Aruch HaRav, a comprehensive code of Jewish law noted for its clarity and inclusion of underlying sources. His leadership was tested by two imprisonments by the Tsarist regime, from which he was ultimately exonerated.