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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Famous Yahrzeits this week!--We're Back!

Famous Yahrzeits is licensed to OJinYU.blogspot.com by Manny Saltiel and Anshe.org

his Shabbos, 4 Teves (Parashas Vayigash)

Rav Moshe Zev of Bialystock, author of Maros Hatzovos and Agudas Aizov (1729).
He was the founder of Gemilas Chassadim Beis Medrash, Bialystock’s most
prominent Torah center, where Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk learned after his
marriage.

Rav Yehoshua Eizel Charif of Slonim (1801-1872). Born in Glovanka, near Minsk.
After many years of learning under the enthusiastic support of his
father-in-law, Rav Yitzchak Fein, he became Rav Kalavaria, then Kutno, and
finally Slonim (near Grodno). He was mechaber of many sefarim, including Emek
Yehoshua, Nachlas Yehoshua, Noam Yerushalmi, Sefas Hanachal, and Atzas Yehoshua.

Rav Gershon Henoch (ben Yaakov) Leiner of Radzin (1839-1891), the Baal
Hatecheiles. His grandfather was the Rav Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Ishbitz,
founder of Ishbitz chassidus after leading a group of disciples from the Court
of Reb Menachem Mendel of Kotzk. He replaced his father as Rebbe of Ishbitz
after the former’s petira in 1878. Rav Gershon Henoch travelled from Radzin to
Italy in search of the Chilazon, the marine source from which the dye was
obtained. The Chilazon carried the dye in a special sac located in its pharynx.
In the famed aquarium at Naples he saw the Chilazon (tuttlefish) and studied the
way in which the dye was removed and prepared. He discovered that it was used by
artists in their paintings because it would never fade. Although the Maharsham
wore a tallis (in private) using Rav Gershon Henoch’s techeiles, in the end,
only Radziner Chassidim and some Berslovers wear this techeiles. In recent
years, several other species of fish have been suggested as the genuine
techeiles. Among his sefarim are Sod Yesharim on the Torah and Yamim Tovim,
Orchos Chaim and the tzavaah of the Tanna Rabi Eliezer ben Horkinus, and Tiferes
Hachanochi on the Zohar. He also compiled and published the work of his father
(Bais Yaakov) and grandfather (Mei Hashiloach).


Rav Yaakov Shaul Katzin, head of New York Aleppo community (1900-1994). Born in
Yerushalayim, he learned at Yeshiva Ohel Mo’ed and at Yeshiva Porat Yosef.
Yaakov was an orphan at 16 and married at 18. He was appointed Rosh Yeshiva in
the then-newly-erected Yeshiva Porat Yosef building. During the course of his
life, Yaakov wrote several books on the science of Kabbalah. In 1925, he
published Ohr HaLevanah, a commentary with novella from the teachings of
Rashash. He also wrote Yesod Ha’Emunah, which included arguments that dispelled
doubts about the authenticity of Kabbalah, as well as responsa. In 1931, he
published Pri Eitz Hagan, which included biographies of prominent tzadikkim and
discussions of their ethical teachings. From 1928 to the end of 1932, he served
as a Dayan in the Supreme Beit Din of the Sephardic Community of Yerushalayim.
In 1933, he accepted an offer from Magen Dovid Congregation of Brooklyn, New
York to serve as Chief Rabbi and Chief Dayan.

Rav Chaim Shaul Dveik(Dueck), Rosh Yeshiva Hamekubalim of Yerushalayim and
author of Eifo (Aifah) Shleima (1933)

Rav Shalom Rokeach, Rav of Skohl (1961)

Mr. Yitzchak Meir (Irving) Bunim (1901-1981). Born in Volozhin, Lithuania to Rav
Moshe and Esther Mina Buminowitz, Irving moved to the Lower East Side of New
York with most of his family in 1910. (His father moved in 1905.) He and his two
brothers were enrolled in Yeshiva Yaakov Yosef, and his father joined the family
of Torah Vodaas. As a youth, he joined the fledgling Young Israel movement and
made significant inroads from within. During the War, he was a highly active
member of the Vaad Hatzolah with Mike Tress, Stephen Klein, and several gedolim,
such as Rav Aaron Kotler and Rav Moshe Feinstein. In the 1940s, he accepted the
presidency of Yeshiva Yaakov Yosef, a position he held for 30 years. He threw
himself in the founding of Beis Midrash Govoha and Kollel in Lakewood. He also
devoted much time and energy to Chinuch Atzmai and Torah Umesorah.


Rebbetzin Recha Schwab (1908-2003). Married in 1931, she moved with Rav Schwab
to the United States in 1936, and settled in Washington Heights in 1958. She
left this world with 180 descendents, all Torah-observant.


Rav Mordechai Pinchas Teitz, Rav of Elizabeth, NJ. (1908-1995) Born in Latvia
and a student of the famed Rogachaver Ilui, he arrived in USA in 1934. He
founded schools, a kollel, and five shuls, and pioneered in teaching Talmud on
the radio, records and audiotapes. From the 1960s to the 1980s he made
twenty-two trips to the USSR to sustain the three million Jews imprisoned there.
He was a major force in the work of Ezras Torah and saved its construction in
Israel from bankruptcy. Stories about him can be found in the book “Learn Torah,
Love Torah, Live Torah,” by by Rivkah Teitz Blau (Ktav Publishing House)



Sunday, 5 Teves

Rav Shlomo Molcho (1500-1532). Born in Lisbon, Portugal, a descendant of
Portuguese Marranos. He published 22 essays on the topic of redemption according
to the secrets of Kabbalah in his work, Sefer Hamefoar. He met with the Pope and
asked him to stop the campaign against the Marranos. He also met Rabbi Yossef
Karo in Tzfas and the Kabbalist Rabbi Yosef Taitzik of Salonica who taught R'
Molcho Kabbalah. His speeches inspired many Marranos to publicly return to their
faith. Arrested by the officers of the Inquisition, he recited Shema with great
joy, as he was burned at the stake by Roman Emperor Charles V in Mantua, Italy.

Rav Aharon of Titiov, grandson of the Baal Shem Tov (1828)

Rav Avraham Yaakov of Sadiger (1884-1961), named for his grandfather, the first
Sadigerer Rebbe. When Reb Avraham Yaakov turned 18, he married Bluma Raizel, the
daughter of the Kapischnitzer Rebbe, Reb Yitzchak Meir Heschel. With the
outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the Rebbe fled to Vienna, Austria, and
lived there for 24 years. When the Nazis entered Vienna in 1938, the Rebbe was
seized and forced to sweep the streets clean, to the amusement of the onlooking
Germans. After WW2, he lived in Tel Aviv, where he continued the Sadigerer line.
He authored Abir Yaakov.


Rav Yerachmiel Tzvi Rabinowitz, the Biala-P’shischa Rebbe (2003). Born ~1923,
the first-born son of the previous Biala Rebbe, the Chelkas Yehoshua. He became
Rebbe after his father was niftar in 1982 and opened his beis midrash in the Har
Nof section of Yerushalayim.


Monday, 6 Teves

Rav Yaakov (ben Yosef) Reischer (1661-1733), author of Minchas Yaakov
(commentary on Toras Chatas of the Rema), Chok Yaakov on the Shulchan Aruch,
Iyun Yaakov (chidushim on Agadata), and Shevus Yaakov (Sheilos u’Teshuvos). Born
in Prague. Served as Rav in Reische, Worms, and Metz. [9 Shvat, according to
Yated 2007, 2008]. His brother-in-law was Rav Eliyahu Shapira, the Elya Rabbah.


Rav Mattisyahu Straushun of Vilna, son of the Rashash (1885)

Rav Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam, the Shinover Rav (1815-1899). He was born in
Rudnick, Galicia, eldest son of Rav Chaim of Sanz. He was an ardent follower of
Rav Asher of Ropshitz, and a chassid of Rav Tzvi Hirsh of Rymanov, Rav Shalom of
Belz, and Rav Meir of Premishlan. Tragically, he was married and widowed 5
times. His first wife was the grand-daughter of the Yismach Moshe, Rav Moshe
Teitelbaum of Mujehly, Hungary. He is known as the Divrei Yechezkel.

Rav Chaim Shlomo of Koson (1919)

Rav Alter Yisrael Shimon Perlow of Novominsk (1873-1933), author of Tiferes Ish.
Scion of the dynasties of Ustila, Koidanov, Lehovitch, Karlin, Apt, Czernobyl
and Berdichev, Rabbi Alter Yisrael Shimon settled in Warsaw in 1917. He knew the
whole Mishna by heart and to the end of his life he reviewed eighteen chapters
every day.


Rav Chaim Meidanik (1954). Rav in Chicago and author of Mazkeres Chaim and
Hegyonei Chaim.

Rebbetzin Beila Morgenstern (1908-2006). First-born daughter of the Admor of
Ozerov-Chenchin, Rav Moshe Yechiel Epstein, author of Aish Das and Be’er Moshe.
She married Rav Tzvi Hershel Morgenstern, a descendent of the Kotzker Rebbe. Her
husband served as a principal of the Bronx Bais Yaakov. She always recited the
entire sefer tehillim on the yahrtzeit of every one of her noble forefathers and
asked Hasehm that their merit should protect all of klal Yisrael. Among her
grandchildren are Rav Dovid Altusky and Rav Yechiel Altusky.


Tuesday, 7 Teves

Rav Moshe Dovid Walli (Vally; Vali) (1697-1777). The foremost talmid of Ramchal
in Padua, Italy, he practiced as a physician in Padova. When the Ramchal was
forced to leave Italy, Rav Moshe Dovid was appointed head of the his academy in
Padova. Also known as the Rama"d Vali, he wrote a commentary on commentary on
Chumash (Ohr Olam on Breishis; Bris Olam on Shemos; Avodas Hakodesh on Vayikra;
Shivtei Kah on Bamidbar; Mishna Lamelech on Devarim), Na"Ch, Likkutim.


Rav Tzvi Hersh, son of the Baal Shem Tov (1779)

Rav Raphael Shlomo Laniado (1740-1793). Originating from Spain through their
progenitor, Rav Shmuel, the Laniado family was among the most famous and
well-established in the Syrian city of Chaleb. Rav Raphael Shlomo Laniado was a
prolific writer, and he is well-known for the several halachic works: HaMaalos
LeShlomo, Beis Dino Shel Shlomo, Lechem Shlomo, and Kisei Shlomo.

Rav Mordecai Yosef Leiner of Ishbitz (1800-1854 [1878, according to Yated
2007]), founder of the Chassidic Court at Ishbitz after leading a group of
disciples from the court of Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk. Born in Tomashov,
Poland in 1800, he was a childhood friend of Reb Menachem Mendel Morgenstern,
later to become the Kotzker Rebbe, and they studied together in the school of
the Chasidic Master, Reb Simcha Bunim of Pshiske. His sefer. Mei HaShiloach, is
considered a fundamental work of Izhbitz and Radziner chasidus. Among his
talmidim were Rav Tzadok HaCohen miLublin and Rav Leibel Eiger.

Rav Shalom Yosef Friedman of Husyatin (1879[1851, according to Yated 2007]). Son
of the first Rebbe of Husyatin, Rav Mordechai Shraga (the youngest son of the
Rizhiner Rebbe, who had moved to Husyatin in 1865 and was niftar in 1894. He was
the father of Rav Moshe of Boyan-Cracow (“Reb Moshenu”).


Rav Yosef Elyashiyov (2007). Born in the former Soviet Union to Rav Tzion, who
was killed by the authorities for his efforts to promote Judaism, he moved from
Samarkand to Tashkent after marrying; there he and his wife raised their seven
children. While living in Tashkent he had to spend seven years away from home —
four years in custody on suspicion of underground religious activity and three
years hiding from the KGB, who had him under surveillance for his activities to
promote Judaism. In 1971, he managed to secure an exit visa and left his home
and his family, traveling to Eretz Yisrael. He opened the first Shaarei Tzion
institutions in 1980, naming them after his father. He then started a kollel
with the goal of drawing avreichim from Bukharan families as well as a school in
Kiryat Ono for Bukharan immigrants. Today, a total of 4,500 students, from
kindergartners to avreichim, study at Shaarei Tzion institutions.


Wednesday, 8 Teves – none


Thursday, 9 Teves

Ezra Hasofer (313 BCE or 320 BCE?) and Nechemya

Rav Ezra of Gerona (1227), the Ramban’s teacher in Kabalah. He himself learned
Kabbalah from Rav Yitzchak Sagi Nahor, son of the Ravad III.

Rabbeinu Yosef, son of Shmuel Hanaggid, and son-in-law of Rav Nissim Gaon of
Kirouan was murdered in an Arab pogrom with another 1500 Jews in Spain (1067).

Rav Yehoshua Basis (1860). Chacham and Chief Rabbi of Tunisia for many years.

Rav Yehuda (“Reb Yiddel”) Weber (1920-2006). Born in Vodkert, Hungary to Rav
Yissacher Weber, a descendent of the Bach, and of Rebbetzin Chana, a niece of
the Arugas Bosem. After his Bar Mitzvah, Yehuda was sent to learn in Pupa under
Rav Yaakov Yechezkel Grunwald, the Vayaged Yaakov, the Pupa Rebbe, who was his
rebbi muvhak for 7 years. Rav Yehuda then served as mashgiach of Pupa. When the
yeshiva was closed in 1944, Rav Yehuuda spent 6 months in the local work camps
before being deported to Bergen Belsen. In 1946, his sister introduced him to
his Rebbetzin, Batsheva. A year later, his sister, Miriam, married the Pupa
Rebbe. Both families settled in Antwerp, then moved to Williamsburg, in New
York, in 1950. In 1952, he was appointed Rosh Yeshiva of the newly established
Pupa Yeshiva, first located in Queens, then in Ossining, in Westchester County.
Although his family stayed in Williamsburg, Reb Yiddel made the 40-mile drive
for four decades.



Friday, 10 Teves

Zecharia ben Berachya ben Ido Hanavi (320 or 313 BCE)

Malachi Hanavi (320 or 313 BCE). His death ended the era of prophecy.

Rav Yehuda Eilenberg, author of Minchas Yehudah (1610)

Rav Nosson Sternhartz (or Sternberg) of Breslav, author of Likutei Halachos
(1844). As a young man, he lived in Nemirov, nine miles north of Breslav.
Despite family opposition, Nosson became the disciple who recorded Nachman's
thoughts, edited his writings and wrote the early history of the Breslaver
Hasidim.


Rav Meir Shalom Rabinowitz of Kalushin (1851-1901). Born to Rav Yehoshua Asher
of Zelichov, the son of the Yid Hakadosh of Peshischa, he became a son-in-law of
his older brother, Rav Yaakov Tzvi of Porisov, author of Atarah Lerosh Tzadik.
He served as Rav of the kehhillos of Porisov, Gravlin, and Kalushin. He became
Rebbe after the petira of his brither in 1889. Many of his ideas in Torah and
Chassidus were recorded by his son and successor Yehoshua Alter in the sefer
Nahar Shalom.

Rav Noach of Hordishitz (1903)

Rav Raphael Wexelbaum, Rosh Yeshiva of Itri

Rav Yechezkel Halshtuk, the Ostrovtzer Rebbe (1887-1942). Born to Rav Meir
Yechiel, founder of the court of Ostrovtze (Ostrowiec), a town which lies along
the Kamienna River, a tributary of the Vistula, and which is situated in the
Polish highlands just north of the Swietokrzyskie Mountains. At 18, Reb
Yechezkel married Rebbetziin Beila Mirel, daughter of Rav Naftali of Meilitz,
who was a grandson of Rav Naftali of Ropshitz. In 1911, he was appointed Rav of
the town of Inovlodz, and 10 years later, he was appointed Rav of Nashelsk. He
succeeded his father as Rebbe after the latter’s petira in 1928. He founded a
yeshiva named Beis Meir, in honor of his father. He and 20 of his Chasidim were
murdered by the Nazis during davening on the night of Asesers BeTeves. His
Rebbetzein, 7 sons, and one son-in-law were all murdered by the Nazis.Some of
his writings were published after the war under the name Kodshei Yechezkel. (8
Teves, according to Yated 2006 and Yated 2007)

Rav Shabsai Yogel, born in Piask, Russia (1875-1957). After studying in
Eishishock as a youngster, he learned at Volozhin until it was closed by the
Russian authorities, at which time he returned to Piask until he married Liba
Kletzkin from Slonim. He then moved to Slonim and learned in one of the Novardok
kollelim. In 1906, he was asked to head the Slonim yeshiva, founded by Rav
Shlomo Zalman Kahana in 1816. The yeshiva’s first rosh yeshiva was Rav Avraham
Weinberg, who later became the founder of the Slonimer chassidic dynastry. In
1929, Rav Shabsai visited Yisrael for the first time; two months later, his son
Shlomo perished in the Chevron massacres. During the early years of WW2, Rav
Shabsai and his family moved to Eretz Yisrael. Since the yeshiva in Slonim was
destroyed by the Nazis, he rebuilt in. He decided to do so in Ramat Gan, which
at that time was a spiritual wasteland.


Rav Avraham Abba Leifer, the Pittsburgher Rebbe, the Admor of Petersburg-Ashdod
(1989). Author of Emunas Avraham, son of Rav Yosef (Tzidkas Yosef), and
son-in-law of Rebbe Issamar of Nadvorna.
His son, Mordechai Yissacher Dov Ber Leifer of Pittsburg, is author of Pisgamei
Oraisa.


Next Shabbos, 11 Teves (Parashas Vayechi)

Rav Moshe of Ostraha, author of Arugas Habosem (1784).

Rav Shlomo Eiger, Rav of Posen, author of Gilyon Maharsha, son of Rav Akiva
Eiger. (1851)

Rav Shlomo Zalman Ullman of Makava, author of Yerios Shlomo (1865). Son of Rav
Shalom Charif, Rav Shlomo Zalman served as Rav of Rendick for two years and of
Makova, Hungary, for 39 years. He fought against any inroads of the Reform
movement for much of his life. At the end of his sefer, Rav Shlomo Zalman added
Kuntres Beis Yad, where he expounds on fourteen differences in the sugya of eid
echad neeman b’issurim. This kuntres is the basis of many of the halachos os
issur ve’heter.

Rav Yehoshua Horowitz of Dzikov, author of Ateres Yeshua. (1912)

Dovid Twersky of Zlatipoli (1914). The oldest son of Rav Tochanan of
Rachmistrivke, the son of Rav Mordechai of Chernobyl. Reb Dovid married
Rebbetzin Bas-Tzion Tzipora Feiga, daughter of Rav Aharon of Karlin. With his
father’s petira, Rav Dovid became Rebbe in Rachmistrivke, along with his
brothers, but moved his court to Zlatipoli.

Rav Moshe Bergman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Avi Ezri-Yeshivas Rashbi in Bnei
Brak. (1977). He was succeeded by his son, Rav Meir Tzvi Bergman.

Rav Yaakov Yosef Shlomo Halperin (1902-1984), the Vasloi Rebbe. Born in Rendken,
near Vasloi, Romania, he was the grandson of the first Vasloier Rebbe, Rav
Shalom Halperin. He moved from Romania to Eretz Yisrael in 1950, following his
father’s own aliya earlier that year. He settled in Haifa, then moved to
Nahariya one year later. He moved to Tel Aviv in 1955. His father was niftar in
1957. Rav Yaakov Yosef himself was succeeded by his son Rav Avraham Shimshon
Shalom, who lives in Bnei Brak.

Rav Shmuel Dovid Tzvi Mayer (known as Rav Dovid Hersh), menahel of Yeshiva Beis
Binyamin in Stamford, Connecticut. (2003)

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