A mystic, a communal activist, a philosopher, a halachic authority, a composer, a talmudist—Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi was all of these. But he was primarily a spiritual guide, who created a practical path that allows anyone to approach divinity. Known as the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman lived in an era of change and unrest on a global scale. Yet his life continues to inspire, and his works and teachings have long withstood the test of time.