Rabbi Dovber Schneuri, the Mitteler Rebbe ("Middle Rebbe"), was born in Liozna on 9 Kislev 5534 (1773), the eldest son of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, and Sterna; his father named him after his own teacher, the Maggid of Mezritch. In 1788 he married Sheina. In his father's lifetime he already guided the young Chassidim in the study groups his father had founded.

When his father died in 1812 he succeeded him as the second Chabad Rebbe and in 1813 settled in the town of Lubavitch, which gave the movement its name. His interpretation of his father's teaching was disputed by his study partner, Rabbi Aharon of Starosselye, who set up his own court. In 1814 he formed a committee to rebuild the Jewish towns of Belarus destroyed in the Napoleonic war; he also encouraged Jewish families to settle in agricultural colonies and supported the Hebron community.

He is known for the depth and length of his Chassidic discourses, which develop his father's thought in detail. His works, including Shaar HaYichud, Torat Chaim and Imrei Binah, are among the most profound texts of Chabad Chassidism.

Denounced to the authorities, he was imprisoned and freed on 10 Kislev 1826, a day celebrated ever since. He passed away the following year on his birthday, 9 Kislev 5588 (1827), in Nizhyn.