Passing of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotzk (1787-1859), renowned Chassidic leader, and forerunner of the Ger chassidic dynasty and others.
Link: An Inward Focus
Rebbetzin Chaya Mushkah Schneerson (b. 1901), wife of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, passed away on the 22nd of Shevat of the year 5748 (1988). For more on the Rebbetzin, see link below. Chabad's annual international conference of sheluchot (woman "emissaries") is held on or near this date.
Links:
All about Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka
Watch: Personal Memories of the Rebbetzin
Despair is the diametric opposite of everything in which we believe
—in other words: it is a denial of reality.
It is a denial that there is a G‑d who directs all of His creation, and watches over every individual, and assists each one in what he must accomplish . . .