The third Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn of Lubavitch (1789-1866), was born on the 29th of Elul. Orphaned from his mother at age 3, he was raised by his maternal grandfather, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. Rabbi Menachem Mendel assumed the leadership of Chabad in 1827, upon the passing of his father-in-law and uncle, Rabbi DovBer of Lubavitch. Extremely active in communal affairs, he established and funded Jewish farming colonies which provided a livelihood for thousands of families. He also stood at the forefront of the battle against the "Enlightenment Movement" which, with the support of the Czarist regime, sought to destroy traditional Jewish life -- a battle which earned him no less than 22 (!) imprisonments and arrests. In the course of his lifetime, Rabbi Menachem Mendel penned more than 48,000 pages of Chassidic teachings and Halachic exegesis. He is known as the "Tzemach Tzeddek" ("a sprouting of righteousness") after his work of Halachic responsa by that name.

Links: A brief biography; more on the Tzemach Tzeddek

Today is the last day of the Jewish year, and a day of preparation for Rosh Hashanah ("Head of the Year") which commences this evening.

A more lengthy version of the Selichot ("supplication") prayers are recited in the early morning hours, before the morning prayers.

The Shofar is not sounded on the day before Rosh Hashanah, to separate between the shofar soundings of the month of Elul (which are a minhag, or "custom") and the Rosh Hashanah soundings, which are a biblically ordained mitzvah, divine commandment).

Following the morning services, Hatarat Nedarim, the annulment of vows, is performed (the text for this procedure is found in most prayer books).

It is customary visit the the graves of the righteous on this day and pray there, as the resting place of a righteous person is an oppertune place to beseech the Almighty.

When Shabbat occurs immediately following a festival -- as it does this year -- an "eruv tavshilin" (i.e., food for at least one "meal" that is set aside in advance for Shabbat) must be prepared prior to the festival, so that it should be permitted to prepare food for Shabbat during the festival.

The festival of Rosh Hashanah, marking the start of a new Jewish year, begins this evening at sunset.

Upon the conclusion of the evening prayers in the synagogue, we extend to one another greetings of Leshana Tovah Tekatev Vitechatem, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." In the evening meal, we eat apple dipped in honey, the head of a fish, pomogranates , tzimmes (sweet carrots) and other foods signifying a sweet and successful year.

See Laws & Customs for tomorrow, Tishrei 1.