Charged with the grave crime of treason, the founder of Chabad- Lubavitch Chassidism was arrested and imprisoned by the Czarist regime in the year 1798. The charges were the result of a malicious slander brought before the government by his opponents. His only "crimes" were his selfless efforts to strengthen the Jewish people and to disseminate Chassidic teachings. Rabbi Schneur Zalman`s arrest imperiled not only his own life, but also the future of Chassidism. Ultimately he was cleared of the charges and released, his teachings vindicated. The day of his liberation, the 19th of Kislev, has since become recognized as a historic milestone in the development of the Chassidic movement.