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Rachel, the grandmother of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidut, was a remarkable Torah scholar in an age when that was far from the norm. The daughter of Baruch Batlan who was a follower of the Baal Shem of Zamotsch, she was given an excellent and wide-ranging Torah education, in keeping with the unusual custom of Chasidim to educate their daughters.

As a tiny child Rachel was carried to the mezuza in order to kiss it twice a day, instilling in her a love of Torah from her earliest infancy. Practically from the time she could speak, she learned Torah, progressing from the simplest blessings taught to all Jewish children, to more advanced studies, even mastering the intricacies of the Talmud. She became particularly expert in the study of the Shulchan Aruch, the Code of Jewish Law.

Whether out of modesty, for fear that people would regard a learned girl as a "freak," or to avoid an "evil eye," Rachel's father kept her scholarship a secret. When Rachel became engaged to the scholar Rabbi Shneur Zalman (who did not approve of women engaging in serious learning), no mention was made of the scope of her knowledge. Thus, she merely smiled when, after their wedding, her husband said to her he assumed that her mother had taught her all the laws that a Jewish woman was required to know.

Rachel's knowledge of Jewish law was so extensive, that she knew the differences in the customs which prevailed amongst the various Jewish communities. Thus, what was regarded as a strict law in one town, was treated more lightly in another.

Soon after her marriage it happened that Rachel's whole family was walking home one Shabbat from shul. The men, Baruch Batlan, his son Benjamin and his son-in-law, were in front. The women followed behind, Rachel among them. They all wore gloves as there was an "eruv" in Posen [a marked area where carrying is permitted on Shabbat]. Benjamin was also carrying books which he had borrowed from the synagogue, so that he could study at home.

As they were walking, the synagogue caretaker ran up to them, calling out that the eruv had fallen. They all stopped in bewilderment, not knowing what to do with their gloves and with the books that Rachel's brother had under his arm [since without the eruv carrying was no longer permitted]. Should they drop everything, or just remain where they were?

Baruch Batlan now called out to his daughter:

"Well, Rachel, you are an expert in the laws of the Shulchan Aruch. Tell us what are we to do now?" And turning to the men, he remarked: "We men are so busy studying Talmud and other such subjects, that when we are faced with a practical question of law, we do not know it. We have no choice but to turn to Rachel."

Rabbi Shneur Zalman, a great scholar, four years Rachel's senior, opened his eyes in wonderment! Was this some sort of joke?

Rachel blushed. She feared that now her husband might be upset with her. She would not have given away her secret, but her father had "put her on the spot," and she had to answer him.

"There is no need to take off our gloves," she ventured quietly, "for this is a case of 'accidental,' and there can be no likelihood of anyone taking off his gloves and carrying them, for, as we are in company, it would immediately be noticed and the person reminded. As for the books, these should be transferred from hand to hand until we reach the yard of a non-Jew, where they can be handed from the zone of "public property" to that of "private property."

As Rachel had foreseen, her husband was adversely affected by this incident and took every opportunity to make sharp and cutting comments. Once he remarked: "The Talmud says that 'The wife of a scholar is regarded as if she too were a scholar,' but in my case, it would seem that I must be satisfied to reach the equal of my wife's status." Rachel was very grieved at his attitude.

Her father was aware of the situation and he once countered: "The Jerusalem Talmud says that 'The wife of a criminal is also considered so.' I have given my daughter into your hands. It now remains to be seen what you make of her. She can either become the wife of a 'scholar' or the wife of a 'criminal.' It is entirely up to you!"

Rabbi Shneur Zalman understood the implication of his father-in-law's words, and from that time, changed his harsh and critical attitude towards his wife. On the contrary, he began to be proud of his wife, Rachel, appreciating at last her great learning and wonderful qualities.

Adapted from the Memoirs of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe.