A historical novel about Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (the Alter Rebbe), the origins of the Chabad-Lubavitch Chassidic movement of Judaism, and the French Revolution.
Book I: Revolution has spread across two continents — first America, and then Europe, namely France. The common masses scream for freedom and rights. The result in America is an overthrow of the yoke of British imperial tyranny and the establishment of a thriving constitutional republic called the United States. The outcome in France is the destruction of the Bourbon monarchy and a failed new government resulting in widespread bloodshed and seemingly endless executions by “the holy guillotine.”
In the Jewish communities of eastern Europe, another “revolution” of sorts has spread like a fire — the “spiritual revolution” of Chassidic Judaism. Rabbi Schneur Zalman is a young and charismatic leader of the Chassidic sect that would later be defined as “Chabad-Lubavitch.” Focusing on blending academic study and proper observance of the Torah, Talmud, and Jewish precepts with both intense spirituality and emotional fulfillment, Chabad Chassidism takes the Jewish world by storm.
But not all in the Jewish community are happy about this development. Soon an internal religious dispute broils, fueled by vicious bickering and destructive jealousies. And the chaos in the rest of the world reaches the insular Jewish societies and begins to affect them directly, in particular the dynamics of the French Revolution and the ascension to power of the murderous conqueror, Napoleon Bonaparte.
Faced with the dangers of political tumult as well as rising internal religious strife, Rabbi Schneur Zalman must overcome the challenges that confront him and his new sect of Chassidic Judaism. And in so doing the “Alter Rebbe” finds himself confronting threats and perils that none could have imagined. He has little choice but to rely on his Jewish faith, the prayers of His community, and the Divine Providence of the Almighty to enable him to succeed against all odds.
The Dual Luminary – Revolution (Book I) is the story of a rabbi who revolutionized the Jewish world and founded the Chabad Chassidic movement in an era of unspeakable bloodshed, chaos, and violence. It is a historical novel rather than a biography or academic text book. As such, The Dual Luminary – Revolution places you into the throes of the end of the eighteenth century, enabling you to experience first-hand the French Revolution and other key historical events as well as providing a breathtaking glimpse into the unique realms of classic Chassidic Judaism unlike ever before.
