The arrest of Rabbi Shneur Zalman galvanized his followers into action. They banded together with one spirit and with one goal, that of freeing their rebbe and proceeding with the study and teaching of Chasidut. With no regard for their personal comfort or safety, they gave themselves over with utter dedication and total self-sacrifice to their cause. To that end they formed a central committee to oversee and coordinate all efforts on the Rebbe's behalf. They also ruled that every member of the Chasidic brotherhood be obliged to follow the instructions of the central committee in all particulars, and without question. In addition, they took it upon themselves to maintain all of the institutions which had been originated by the Rebbe.
The committee established a set of guidelines to be applicable to all chasidim until the release of the Rebbe became a reality. They included the imposition of the fast every Monday and Thursday for every person physically able to carry it out; in general, food would be limited to only bread and water throughout the week, with the addition of just one cooked dish on the Sabbath; no new engagements or weddings would be arranged, and those already planned would be celebrated very minimally; every teacher would say the book of Psalms with his pupils and teach them all the details of the false accusations which culminated in the Rebbe's imprisonment. The same would be carried out in each home, as all members of the family discussed the situation and were made completely familiar with all of the particulars.
The Rebbe's household was continuously maintained by financial contributions from the chasidim, and in addition, a list was drawn up detailing all the valuables of each chasid which were made available to help in the cause, as needed.
If any of the chasidim were to pass away during the period of the Rebbe's incarceration, the deceased would be solemnly adjured to communicate to the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid in the Next World, the severity of the situation which faced their disciple and the future of their teachings, and beg them to intercede.
The extent of the organization of those chasidim and their cooperation and unity was truly amazing, as they vowed to allow nothing in this world to stand in the way of freeing their leader. Three groups were formed to aggressively attack the problem. The first group was assigned the task of taking action to affect the release of Rebbe. Another group had the task of amassing the funds necessary for that effort and also to support the Rebbe's family and his chasidim living in the Land of Israel. The mission of the third group was to maintain and guard the teachings of Chasidut and the morale of the chasidim throughout this most trying period.
The chasidim in Petersburg worked tirelessly and at great risk to their own well-being to clandestinely gather information to aid the cause. Other chasidim were based in Vilna and Sklov in order to monitor the activities of the Rebbe's accusers. All of the chasidim engaged in this secret, undercover activity were permitted to communicate with each only through acknowledged go-betweens and never publicly or through the post.
The financial committee was run by trusted elders of the community who were supplied with extensive lists of all the silver and gold objects owned by each family. Each family furnished this committee with a legal and binding document of sale of these precious objects. It was arranged that if, G-d forbid, the Rebbe remained incarcerated and the need for funds increased, these objects would be transferred into the possession of the committee for use as required, to secure the Rebbe's release. But the chasidim went even further than that, for other funds, even including dowry money, was made available for this use.
Lastly, but of equal importance, the group entrusted with upholding the morale of the thousands of chasidim who were bound with their very souls to the Rebbe and his teachings fanned out through the cities, towns and hamlets, inculcating the people with hope and strength.
