Reb Shlomo Zalmen was the eldest son of the Maharil, and a grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek. He was born circa 5590 (1830), and in 5607 (1847) he married the daughter of Reb Yaakov Aryeh Leib Luria from Lepli. For the first few years after his chasuna he lived in Lepli, studying diligently while being suported by his father-in-law. In 5615 (1855) he returned to Lubavitch where he gleaned much from his grandfather the Tzemach Tzedek and great chassidim. After the Tzemach Tzedek’s histalkus, Reb Shlomo Zalmen followed his father to Kopust, where he was evenutally appointed by the chassidim to take his father’s place upon his passing in 5627 (1866). He led the Kopuster chassidim untill his own departure from this world on 27 Iyar 5660 (1900). Altough there were differences in practices and philosophy between the chassidim of Lubavitch and Kopust, his maamorim followed the Chabad style and some of them were printed in the sefer Magen Avos after his passing.
In a letter to a mashpia who requested to be exempt from his task of chazering Chassidus publicly, Reb Shlomo Zalmen writes: Prior to chazering Chassidus for a big crowd, if Hashem will help you, (and surely He will), firstly remove all ulterior motives and selfishness, thinking deeply about one’s lowliness. Then draw down upon oneself fear of Hashem’s kingdom — at least in thought — by remembering the subject about which you are talking: Kudsha Brich Hu, yichud Havaye and Elokim, sovev and memalei. Like the Rambam writes regarding davening, think that you are a low creature standing in front of the great Almighty. Behold, this is a great and special avodah that brings pleasure that is a thousand times greater to our Creator than would your isolation. Words that emanate from the depths of the heart will penetrate the hearts of others.
(מגדל עז ע' שי)
The yeshiva Tomchei Temimim was founded in Lubavitch at the end of 5657 (1897), and the seder included learning Chassidus four hours every day: two hours in the morning before davening and two hours at night after nigleh. Concerning this practice Reb Shlomo Zalmen declared: “At first when I heard that young bochurim were learning four hours of Chassidus daily, it didn’t sit well with me. But now I see that he (the Rebbe Rashab) was correct. Di velt falt oif shaois (the world is deteriorating by the hour) and he will be very successful.”
(לקוטי סיפורים ע' שמט)
