The 9th of Kislev marks the birth and death of Rabbi DovBer of Lubavitch, son and successor of the founder of the Chabad movement, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi. Rabbi DovBer was known for his distinctive "river-wide" style—his teachings were like the intellectual rivers flowing from his father's springs, bringing breadth and depth to the principles established by Rabbi Shneur Zalman.
Born in Liozna, White Russia in 1773, Rabbi DovBer assumed leadership of the movement after his father's death in 1812. In 1813 he settled in the village of Lubavitch, which served as the center of the movement for the next 102 years.
In 1826 he was arrested on the charge that his teachings threatened the authority of the Tsar, but on the 10th of Kislev he was released, thus establishing that day as a holiday among the Chabad Hasidim.
Rabbi DovBer passed away on the 9th of Kislev in 1827, at the age of 54.