The Information Channel Felist.Com -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do not Reply this message! Please send messages to address on bottom of the message or to kehilasmy@yahoo.com Cortesy of [ http://anshe.org ] Congregation Anshe Emes, Los Angeles The update of Jewish History of this week YAHRTZEITS SUNDAY, 1 Nissan * Nadav and Avihu, bnei Aaron Hakohen (1309 BCE) * Rav Moshe Yosef Hoffman, the dayan from Pupa Monday, 2 Nissan * Rabbeinu Baruch, father of the Maharam miRottenberg (1275) * Rav Eliyahu Kalmankash, Rav of Lublin (1633) * Rav Shalom Dov Ber Schneerson, the Rebbe RaShaB, 5th Lubavitcher Rebbe (1860-1920). He is the author of hundreds of major tracts in the exposition of Chassidic thought. * Rav Yaakov Yosef Twersky, Skverer Rebbe (1899-1968). In the summer of 1919, because of the pogroms in the Ukraine that followed the Bolshevik Revolution, the family moved to Kiev. A few months later, on 15 Kislev, his father, Rav Dovid, the Skverer Rebbe, was niftar, and the following fall, the remaining family left for Kishinev, Bessarabia (Moldavia). In 1925, Reb Yaakov Yosef married and moved to Belz. A few years later, he returned to Romania and led the Skverer Chasidim in Kolorash as their Rebbe. In the winter of 1945, he moved to Bucharest, from where he moved to the United States (in 1948). After establishing his court in Boro Park, then Williamsburg, he founded New Square in 1957. Tuesday, 3 Nissan * Rav Aryeh Leib Grossnass, author of Lev Aryeh * Rav Eliyahu Meir Finkel, Nasi Yeshivas Mir, Jerusalem, and father of the current Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel. * Rav Dovid Stavsky (1930-2004), served in the Columbus (Ohio) Jewish community for the last 47 years of his life, including as Rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation. He graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in Psychology in 1952, ordained at the RIETS in 1955, and earned a Masters degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University in 1966. Served as Chaplain in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital and was the Post-Chaplain at Fort Carson in Denver, Colorado from 1955-1957. He helped found Columbus Torah Academy in 1958, led the effort to build a mikvah in Columbus in 1970, helped found the Columbus Community Kollel in 1994. Wednesday, 4 Nissan * Rav Yaakov Tzvi Mecklenberg, author of HaKesav Vehakabala (1865) * Rav Yochanan Twersky of Rachmistrivka (1816-1895), son of the Maggid of Chernobyl. Thursday, 5 Nissan * Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apt, the Ohev Yisrael (1755-1825). He learned under Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk and Rav Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov. In 1800 he accepted the post of Rabbi of Apta. Although he held many other rabbinic positions, to the chasidim he remained always the Apter Rav. He lived his last years in Medzibosh, the birthplace of the Baal Shem Tov. * Rav Shneur Zalman Ashkenazi of Lublin, Rav of Polotzk, Lublin; author of Toras Chessed (1830-1902). * Rav Reuven Yosef Gershonowitz, the tzadik of Ofakim, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva of the Negev. (1915-1995) * Rav Tzvi Elimelech Spira (1841-1924). Born to Rav Dovid of Dinov, son of Rav Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov (the Bnei Yissaschar), he became very close to Rav Chaim, the Sanzer Rav, at a very early age. At the age of 16, he married Sarah Horowitz, a great-granddaughter of Rav Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz. He was appointed Av Beis Din of Bluzhov. In 1874, with the passing of his father, his older brother, Rav Naftali Hertz, became Rebbe of Dinov, but with his passing a few years later, most of the Chasidim followed Rav Tzvi Elimelech. Friday, 6 Nissan * Rav Shmuel Yehuda Katzenellenbogen (1521-1597). The son of Rav Meir of Padua (the Maharam Padua), Rav Shmuel was born in Padua. He served on the Beis Din of Venice and became Rav of the city and headed its yeshiva. His sefer, Drashos R' Shmuel Yehuda, also called Shteim Esre Drashos, is sometimes erroneously named Drashos Mahari Mintz. * Rav Yaakov Temerlis (1668). Borns in Worms, he traveled to Lublin and then Kremenitz, Poland. Late in life, he moved to Vienna. His sefarim included Sifra DiTzniyusa DeYaakov, a kabbalistic commentary on the Torah. * Rav Chaim Abulafya, born in Chevron, Rav of Tzefas, Izmir (Turkey), Tveria (1660-1744), known as a miracle worker * Rav Aharon Roth, author of Shomer Emunim (1947) * Rav Meir Dan Plotsky (Plotzki) of Warsaw (1866-1928), the son of Rav Chaim Yitzchak Ber Plotzker from Kutno, a chassid of Rav Chanoch Henich of Alexander, and then of the Sfas Emes of Ger. At the age of nine, Reb Meir Dan was sent to learn in the yeshiva of Rav Chaim Eliezer Wacks, the Nefesh Chayah, in Kalish. Shortly before his Bar Mitzvah, he became a talmid of Rav Avraham of Sochotchov, the Avnei Nezer, whom he considered his lifelong rebbi muvhak. He married at the age of 15 and spent the next 10 years in Dvohrt with his in-laws. In 1891, he became Rav in Dvohrt. Later he helped expose the forged Yerushalmi on Kodshim, claimed to be discovered by Shlomo Yehuda Friedlander, who also claimed he was a Sefardi named Shlomo Yehuda Algazi. At the age of 36, he published his work on the Sefer Hamitzvos of the Rambam, called Chemdas Yisrael. In 1918, he became Rav of Ostrov-Mozbaisk in eastern Poland. He was voted chairman of Agudas Harabbanim of Poland, a prelude to Agudas Israel. At the age of 60, he left rabbanus to head a large yeshiva in Warsaw, known simply as the Mesivta. Rav Meir Dan also authored Kli Chemda on Chumash and Chemdas Shlomo on Orach Chaim. Shabbos, 7 Nissan * Rav Yitzchak of Drovitch (Drohobich) (1758 [Hamodia 2006 says 1744]) He was the father of R' Yechiel Michel, the Maggid of Zlotschov. In later years, Rav Yitzchak served as the official maggid or "mochiach" (admonisher) and dayan in the beis din of Brod at the time when Rav Yitzchak of Hamburg was serving as the town's rav. Rav Yitzchak's name is specifically attached to Drohobitch, a town that lies 40 miles south of Lelov and today is a major petroleum refining center. Like many towns in this region, the town switched nationalities periodically during its history, starting off as a Ukrainian village before becoming part of Galicia. In the 14th century Drohobitch became Polish when King Kazimierz annexed Galicia to Poland. Then Austria seized the town in 1772 during a partition of Poland. Poland grabbed it back for 20 years just before World War II and, today it is once more under Ukrainian control, minus its Jewish population. In 1939 Drohobitch had about 10,000 Poles, 1 0,000 Ukrainians and 15,000 Jews. Rav Pinchas Zelig, Rav of Lask and author of Ateres Paz (1670). Rav Aryeh Leib Yelin of Bialystock, author of Yefeh Einayim (1884) Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib Epstein (Leibush the 2nd) of Oztrov (1852-1928 [Hamodia says 1914]), son of Rav Yechiel Chaim of Oztrov and grandson of Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib HaLevi (Leibush HaGadol), founder of the Oztrov dynasty. In his early teens, he married Rebbetzin Draizel, who herself learned Gemara and personally tested their five sons. Rav Leibush succeeded his father as Rebbe in 1888. His most famous follower was Rav Meir Yechiel HaLevi Halshtok of nearby Ostrovtza. Rav Leibush was succeeded by his oldest son, Rav Avraham Shlomo, whom in turn was followed by his son Rav Moshe Yechiel HaLevi Epstein (the Aish Das of Oztrov, 1890-1971). Save for its 350-year old cemetery, nothing remains today of the town of Oztrov. * Dr. Moshe Wallach, founder of Shaarei Tzedek hospital (1957) JEWISH HISTORY Sunday, 1 Nissan * The Mishkan was erected on this day. Moshe completed the consecration rites of Aharon and his sons, Aharon performed the first avodas Hamishkan, and 8 parshiyos from the Torah were given on this day, 1098 BCE. (Gittin 60) or 1311 BCE. * King Chizkiyahu carried out a new consecration of the Bais Hamikdosh, c.550 BCE. * Cyrus was crowned "King of Bavel", 373 B.C.E, leading to the restoration of a new Jewish autonomy in Eretz Yisrael and the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash. Ezra, the leader of the fledgling Jewish community and his followers, left Bavel on the anniversary of Cyrus' coronation. * Yechezkel receives the prophecy that the Persian empire would soon overtake Bavel (29:17-21), c. 370 * Ezra and his followers left Bavel for Yerushalayim, c.360 BCE * The plot of Bigsan and Seresh to assassinate Achashverosh was discovered by Mordechai, c. 355 BCE. * The second Bais Hamikdash was dedicated (Ezra 6:15-18) and special karbanos were brought as during the Chanukas HaMishkan, 352 BCE. * The Pope authorized the printing of the Talmud in Mantua on condition that the word Talmud be omitted 1564 * Germany invaded Norway and Denmark, 1940. Monday, 2 Nissan * Jews of Mayence, Germany, were massacred, 1283. * King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella signed decree expelling Jews from Spain (later delayed through the actions of Abarbanel), 1492. * Anti-Jewish riots broke out in Yerushalayim, 1881. Tuesday, 3 Nissan * A decree expelling Jews form Spain and Sicily was issued, 1492. * Jews of Prussia were granted equality, 1848. * Ritual charges resulted in pogroms on the island of Corfu, 1891. * In the Children's Aktzion of 1944, Nazis raided the Kovno ghetto and removed all children for execution. Wednesday, 4 Nissan * Decree passed ordering the Jews of Barcelona to kneel when meeting a priest with the sacraments, 1302. * Local farmers, led by monks, attacked the Jewish neighborhood in Arles, France, 1484. A number of people were killed and 50 men were forced to accept Christianity. * Anti-Jewish riots broke out in Dabrowa, Poland, 1938. * A convoy of physicians, scientists, and guards, totaling 75 people, were ambushed on the way to Har Hatzofim in Yerushalayim, 1948. Thursday, 5 Nissan * Yehoshua sent scouts to survey Yericho and the surrounding territory, 1270 BCE. * Rabbi Ovadia MiBartenura, famous for his peirush on Mishnayos, arrived in Yerushalayim, 1488. * Rechovot was attacked by Arabs, 1893. * Jews of Tel Aviv and Yaffo were expelled by the Turks, 1917 * The Polish army executed 35 young Jews who had helped distribute packages sent by the Joint to the Jewish community of Pinsk, 1919. * The official Nazi boycott of German Jewish merchants started, 1933. * 2500 Lublin Jews massacred, the remainder deported, 1942. * Dr. Jonas Salk announced his polio vaccine, 1953. Friday, 6 Nissan * One of the more notorious blood libels, 1475. A Franciscan monk, Bernardinus of Feltre, Italy came to Trent and began preaching against the Jews during Lent sermons. A week before Easter a boy by the name of Simon drowned in the River Adige. The monk charged the Jews with using the body for its blood. The body washed up a few days later near the house of a Jew who brought it to the Bishop Honderbach. 17 Jews were tortured for over two weeks. Some confessed under the torture. 6 Jews were burnt and two more were strangled. Pope Sixtus IV ordered a temporary hiatus, but after five years the trial was reopened and 5 more Jews were executed. The papal inquest agreed with the trial, Simon was beatified, and all Jews were expelled from the province for 300 years. The trial served as the basis for anti-Semitic writings for hundreds of years. Only in 1965 was Simon debeatified and the Church admitted the confessions extracted under torture were false. * Emperor Charles V issued a general safe-conduct to Portuguese "New Christians" and Marranos (though not to those who professed to being Jewish), allowing them to live and work in Antwerp, 1526. Although they still had to live under cover, they were safe from the Inquisition which was not allowed to operate in the Southern "Low Countries," though they were under Spanish rule. Only after the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), when Antwerp passed to Austrian rule, were the Jews able to live there openly. * Jews of Genoa, Italy, were expelled, 1550. * Shechitah was prohibited in Saxony, 1893. Shabbos, 7 Nissan * The mourning for Moshe Rabbeinu ended, and Yehoshua commanded the people to prepare provisions for the trip across the Yarden (Yehoshua, Perek 1), c. 1270 BCE * Yechezkel received the prophecy concerning Egypt's conquest by Nebuchadnetzar, 419 BCE * 150 Jews massacred in York, England 1190. Even though the Jews were under special protection from Richard I, because of their wealth that could help fund the Crusades, the mob attacked 150 Jews hiding in the castle at York. Most committed suicide rather than be murdered, but the rest, believing promises that they would be spared if they came out, left the castle and were promptly massacred when they refused to submit to baptism. R' Eliyahu Hakadosh of York, Rav Yom Tov bar Yitzchak of Jouny and several other English Ba'alei Tosfos were among the martyrs. Due to this cruel massacre, the Jews accepted upon themselves a cherem never to sleep in the city of York overnight which is still in practice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Please visit our web page http://www.kehilasmy.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SHIDDUCHIM for RUSSIAN BAALEY TESHUVAH Worldwide in Russian http://www.toldot.ru/shiduchim ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Buy books with 10% off from Artscroll and Artscroll will donate us 5% of your purchase: http://artscroll.com/linker/kehilasmy/home -*-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: http://felist.com/member/unsub?grp=lit.kmymembers&email=e@mail http://felist.com/ mailto:ask@felist.com