Yahrtzeits

Throughout the rich and robust history of our nation, the Am Yisroel, we were blessed to always have amongst us many Tzadikim, great people. Some were well known communal leaders  and Rabbanim and others were generally unknown in their lifetimes, yet were great nonetheless, each in their own special way.

If we are already taking the 30 seconds or so to learn 2 Halachos every day, we might as well dedicate each day’s learning to the memories of some of these great people. Learning in memory of a departed soul is a merit for us, the people learning as well as for the souls in whose memory we are learning. It is especially important to learn for the soul on the day of its Yahrtzeit (anniversary of death).

To that end, I will endeavor each day to list here the  Yahrtzeit of great people who passed on on this date, so we can learn in their memory on their respective Yahrtzeits. The information for these Yahrtzeits have been gleaned from Chinuch.org

If you would like to dedicate the day’s learning in honor of a yahrtzeit of a loved one, let me know and I will try to accomodate you.

May the learning be an eternal Zechus for all of them in Olam Haba, as well as for all of  us here on Olam Hazeh.

A daily Halacha reader emailed me the following, which should also be kept in mind on the yahrtzeit of a Tzaddik:

“According to the Sefer Meilitzei Eish by Rabbi Avraham Stern, Zatzuk’l hy”d (father of the Rabbi Moshe Stern Zatzal the Debricziner Rav and his brother Rabbi Betzalel Stern Zatzal, author of Shaalos and Teshuvos B’Tzeil HaChochma), by giving Tzedaka for the benefit of the deceased and learning about him, or (even better) learning a bit of his Torah, one can enlist the deceased’s neshama to to be a meilitz (advocate) on behalf of whatever yeshuos one needs (this is the theme of the Sefer Meilitzei Eish). I have found this to be a remarkably effective strategy.”

The following tzadikim passed on to their eternal resting place in Olam Haba during the month of Tishrei:

1 Tishrei

Birth and yahrtzeit of Sarah Imeinu (1803-1676 BCE) (and Akeidas Yitzchak) Rav Shefatia, author of the selicha, “Yisrael Nosha BaHashem,” (886) Rav Amnon of Mainz, who died on Kidush HaShem, while composing the Rosh Hashanah prayer, "Unesaneh Tokef" (1011) Rav Yehuda Ayas, Rav of Algiers and later in Yerushalayim, author of Beis Yehuda (1760) Rav Aharon Moshiach Katzenelebogen of Belz (1816) Rav Meir Yeudah Leibush ben Yechiel Michel (Malbim). (1809-1879). He was born in Volhynia and was still a child when his father died. He studied in his native town until the age of 13. He then went to Warsaw where he was known as the 'iluy from Volhynia.' From 1838 to 1845 he was rabbi of Wreschen, district of Posen, and in the latter year was called to the rabbinate of Kempen, where he remained until 1860; he was thereafter known as "der Kempener." In 1860 Malbim became chief rabbi of Bucharest, Rumania. But he could not agree with the rich German Jews there who wished to introduce the Reform rite and even threatened violence in the pursuit of their aims. By intrigues they succeeded in throwing him into prison, and though he was liberated through the intervention of Sir Moses Montefiore, it was upon the condition that he leave Rumania. He became Rav of Moghilef, on the Dnieper in 1870, but his lack of subservience provoked the resentment of the richer Jews, who denounced him as a political criminal. The governor of Moghilef ordered him to leave town. Malbim then went to Königsberg as chief rabbi of the Polish community, but there he fared no better than in Bucharest and Moghilef; he was continually harassed by the German Jews. His fame and immense popularity rests upon his widely esteemed commentary to Tanach, in which he details the close relationship between the Oral and the Written Law. Rav Yaakov Dovid ben Ze'ev Wilovsky of Slutzk, Chicago and Tsefas, the Ridbaz, one of the great European scholars to come to America. As a consequence of the halachic standards of kashrus that he attempted to impose in Chicago, he eventually had to flee for his life. (1845-1913) Rav Yitzchak Cohen of Djerba, Tunisia (1918). Rav Yitzchak Meir of Kopycznitz (Kupishnitz) (1931 or 1935). Succeed as Rebbe by his son, Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heschel. Rav Ezriel Yehuda Lebowitz, Viener Rav (1991). Rav Shmuel Halevi Shechter (1915-1999). Born in Montreal, Canada, he was only five years old, when his mother passed away. During his years at Rabbi Isaac Elchonon Theological Seminary, he shared a dormitory room with Rav Avigdor Miller. Later, he traveled to Poland to learn at the Mirrer Yeshiva under Rav Yeruchom. After his marriage, he learned at Kelm. When he returned to America, he learned with Rav Aharon Kotler, first at White Plains, NY, then at Lakewood. Years later, he settled in Eretz Yisrael.

2 Tishrei

Gedaliah ben Achikam, assasinated by Yishmael ben Nesanya. Gedaliah was appointed as governor over the Jews by Nebuchadnetzer after the destruction of the Temple (422 BCE) or 419 BCE (Yated 2006) Rav Yisrael Perlow, the Yanuka of Stolin (1868-1921). The Karlin dynasty had its beginnings with Rav Aharon HaGodol of Karlin (1736-1772), a talmid of the Maggid of Mezritch. At that time, Karlin was located in Lithuania, so Karliners are known as "Lithuanian chassidim." It was Rav Aharon's son and successor, Rav Asher the First, who moved the court to Stolin. Rav Aharon's great-grandson, Rav Asher the Second, was childless for many years. In 1869, his wife, Rebbetzin Devorah, was blessed with a boy, whom they named Yisrael. Reb Yisrael was only 4 years old when his father was nifter in the town of Drohobich (Galicia). The Karlin chasidim resolved to meet this lack of leadership by standing firm in their loyalty to the Karlin dynasty, and therefore proclaimed the Yenuka [Child] Yisrael to be their Rebbe. The influence of the Haskalah movement, which had first begun to be felt in Rav Aharon the Second's days grew stronger in Rav Yisrael's time. Rav Yisrael died far away from his native town, in a convalescent home in Homburg, Germany. He was buried in Frankfurt-on-Main. Afterhis petira, his followers were now in a quandary as Rav Yisrael had left no instructions regarding which of his six sons to appoint in his place. Thus, the leadership split into three. His son, Rav Moshe, led the court in Stolin, where he opened the yeshivah, Beis Yisrael, in his father's memory in 1922. Another son, Rav Avraham Elimelech, became rebbe in Karlin, while Rav Yochanan, his youngest son, became rebbe in Lutzk. The Nazis destroyed the Stolin community in Elul 1942, and four of Rav Yisrael's sons perished in the Holocaust. However, thanks to his surviving sons, Karlin-Stolin communities now thrive in Eretz Yisrael and America. These sons were Rav Yaakov, who had moved to America in 1923, and lived in Williamsburg before moving to Detroit where he passed away in 1946. The second surviving son was Rav Yochanan, Rav Yisrael's youngest son, who became the Karlin-Stolin Rebbe in America in 1948, and passed away in 1956. He was succeeded by his daughter's son, Rav Baruch Yaakov Meir Shochet, who was a baby at the time of his passing. History repeated itself when this youngster was coronated as the next Karlin-Stolin Rebbe when he was only eight years old. Rav Shemaryahu [or Shmuel] Greineman, who printed the sefer "Chazon Ish" (1980) Rav Ephraim Oshry (1908-2003). Born in Kopishak, Lithuania, he learned in Ponevezh, Talmud Torah Kelm and Slabodka. He was also a talmid of the Chofetz Chaim in Radin. While he was still quite young, he was appointed Rav of the Abba Yechezkel Kloiz in Slabodka. During World War II, he lived in the Kovno ghetto from June, 1941 until August 1, 1944. It was there that he recorded the gripping shaylos he received, publishing them later in five volumes of She'eilos Uteshuvos Mima'amakim. After the liberation, he was the only surviving Rav of Kovno. He worked diligently to restore Yiddishkeit and was especially active in rescuing children left with non-Jews. He then fled to Austria, where he founded a yeshiva in Welsh, a small town near Salzburg. He was then called upon to take over the leadership of the Meor Hagoloh yeshiva in Rome. He later went to America, where he served as Rav of the Beis Hamedrash Hagodol on the Lower East Side of New York City. He published Divrei Ephraim in 1949. He also published chiddushei Torah on many areas, including Imrei Ephraim on Nezikin and other subjects. He also wrote Yahadus Lita which appeared in Yiddish, about his recollections of pre-War Europe.

3 Tishrei

Rav Naftali Trop, Rosh Yeshiva Radin (1871-1930). Born in Grodno, he studied with his father, Rav Moshe Trop, who was Rosh Yeshiva of a local yeshiva. At 14, he left for Kelm, then Solodka, then Telz, where he became close to Rav Eliezer Gordon. In 1889, he returned to Slobodka, when Rav Yaakov Yitzchak (Itzel) Rabinowitz was appointed Rosh Yeshiva. There, he became his close talmid. In 1890, Rav Hirshel Levitan appointed him Rosh Yeshiva of Or HaChaim in Slobodka. In 1903, he replaced Rav Moshe Landinski as Rosh Yeshiva in Radin, where he remained for the rest of his life. Rav Yisrael Lipshitz of Danzig, author of Tiferes Yisrael, a popular commentary on the Mishnayos (1782-1860). He also authored Shevilei D'rakiya, an introduction to the principles of Rabbinical astronomy and determining the Molad; it appears in the beginning of Seder Mo'ed in the "Tiferes Yisrael" sets of Mishnayos. Additionally, he wroted Derush Ohr HaChaim" (Homily on the Light of Life) which debates the eternality of the soul. Rav Shimon Nosson Nota Biderman, the Lelover Rebbe (1929) Rav Shimon Nosson Nota Biderman, the Lelover Rebbe (1929) Rav Aharon Yechiel (Reb Ahrele) Hopstein of Kuzhnitz (1889-1942). Reb Ahrele was a direct descendent of the Maggid Kozhnitz, who - along with the Chozeh of Lublin, Rav Mendel of Riminov, and the Oheiv Israel of Opt - were the greatest talmidim of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk and who were primarily responsible for the spready of Chassidus throughout Europe. Rav Aharon Yechiel's father, Rav Yerachmiel Moshe, was the sixth Kuzhnitzer Rebbe, was niftar in 1909. Another son of Rav Yerachmiel Moshe, Rav Yisrael Elazar, moved to Eretz Yisrael in 1923 and helped found Kfar Chassidim and Kfar Ata. Rav Yitzchak Zekel Leib Wormeiser (Wormer), also known as the Baal Shem of Michaelstadt (1768-1847). At the age of 17, he left home to learn at the yeshivah gedolah of Frankfurt, headed by Rav Pinchas Horowitz, the Baal HaFla'ah. He also became close to Rav Nosson Adler, the Chasam Sofer's rebbi. After his marriage at the age of 22, he moved to Michelstat, where he founded a yeshiva. Rav Dovid Rapaport (1890-1941). Born in Minsk, his mother was a descendant of the Gaon of Vilna while his father, Rav Akiva, was the grandson of Rav Akiva Eiger. When he was still a young man, he enrolled in Ponovezh, having already written his sefer, Tzemach Dovid, on the chiddushim and halachic responsa of his grandfather. From Ponovezh, Rav Dovid went on to study in Kollel Beis Yisrael of Slabodka. After his marriage, he and his wife were supported by his father-in-law, during which period Rav Dovid was able to compile his second major work, Mikdash Dovid, which focuses on the tractates of Kodshim, Taharos, Bechoros and Sanhedrin. Then, during World War One, Rav Dovid had to flee and found refuge in Vilna. Later on, Rav Elchanan Wasserman invited Rav Dovid to deliver shiurim in Yeshivas Ohel Torah in Baranovich.This yeshivah was founded in 1907 at the initiative of Rav Yosef Yozel Horowitz, the Alter of Novhardok. During the outbreak of World War Two, Rav Dovid remained in Ohel Torah, joining the yeshivah on its treks to Vilna and, from there, to Turkey and Smilishuk. On the 19th of Sivan, 1941, an NKVD agent burst into the yeshivah and arrested him. After his trial, Rav Dovid was sent to a forced labor camp in a distant village, near Finland.

4 Tishrei

Rav Yoel Baal Shem (1713) Rav Avraham Danzig, author of Chayei Adam and Chachmas Adam (1748-1820). Born in Danzig (Gdansk), he learned at the yeshiva in Prague under Rav Yechezkel Landau. He settled in Vilna. He was related by marriage to the Vilna Gaon. He studied in Prague. It appears that he lived in Vilna for most of his life where he served as a dayan - judge. Other sefarim he authored include Zichru Toras Moshe - an introduction to the laws of Shabbos, Kitzur Sefer Chareidim - an abridgement of the classic Sefer Chareidim by Rabbi Elazar Ezkari, and Toldos Adam - a commentary on the Passover Hagadah. Rav Baruch Raphael Soloveichik Rav Tzvi Hirsch Halberstadt (the Maharshashach), the Kos Hayeshuos, great-grandfather of the Chasam Sofer (1747).

5 Tishrei

Birth and yahrtzeit of Naftali ben Yaakov Avinu, 1566 BCE (or 1435 BCE per Hamodia 2006) Rav Naftali HaKohen Katz of Lublin (1645). Grandfather and namesake of the Semichas Chachamim, he was also the son-in-law of the Maharal of Prague, as well as a descendant of the Maharam Padwa through his father. So respected was he that even the Taz sent sheilos to him. Rav Naftali was a maggid in Prafue, a dayan in Prositz, Nicholsburg, and Pinsk, and finally a dayan and Rav in Lublin. Rav Mordechai Schneerson of Vitebsk (1907) Rav Baruch Shalom Ashlag, author of Birkas Shalom, and son of Rav Yehuda Ashlag, the Baal HaSulam (1991)

6 Tishrei

Rav Aryeh Leib of Shpolya, "The Shpoler Zayde," a is famed as a miracle worker and devoted to the succor of poor Jews in distress. In his early years, he was a disciple of Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz (1811). Rav Mordechai of Tolna (1871) Rav Yisrael Tosig, the Rav of Mattersdorf (1967)

7 Tishrei

Birthday and Yahrtzeit of Zevulun ben Yaakov Avinu (1450 BCE) Birthday of Dina bas Yaakov (2312) Rav Dovid Oppenheim (1664-1736), born to Rav Avraham Oppenheim in Worms. When he was young, he studied in the city of Metz, under Rav Gershon Ashkenazi (author of Avodas HaGershuni), Rav Yaakov, the father of the Chacham Tzvi, and in the yeshivah of Rav Yitzchak Binyamin Wolf (author of Nachlas Binyamin). In Elul of 1689, at the ae of 25, he succeeded Rav Binyamin Banet, as rav of Nickolsburg, which included the entire state of Maherin. In 1702, he became Rav of Prague. In time, Rav Dovid was appointed rav of the entire state of Moravia and, eventually, rav of all Bohemia and served as rav in Vienna. His eventual successor as rav of Prague was the Noda B'Yehuda. His vast library serves as a tribute to his outstanding personality. The catalogue of the books in his library, published under the title, VaYikain Dovid lists hundreds of books. Rav Avraham Calfon (1735-1819). Born in Tripoli, Libya. Actually, in those days, Libya did not exist - the region was comprised of three independent regions, Cyrenaica, Tripolitania and Fazzan. He learned under several sages, most notably the Italian gadol, Rav Malachi ben Yaakov HaKohen, author of Yad Malachi, a sefer that discusses the methodology and rules of the Shas and poskim. Blessed with wealth from both his parents and his in-laws, Rav Avraham was able to devote himself to Torah his whole life. He was appointed sheikh (president) of Tripoli's kehillah, in 1778. By the time of Rav Avraham’s birth, Ahmed Karamanli controlled much of modern Libya. Karamanli was a member of the Sultan's household guard, assassinated Tripoli's evil Ottoman governor in 1711, and installed himself as a semi-independent ruler in his stead. As a result, Tripoli became a Corsair (Barbary pirate) base. Rav Menachem Nachum of Makarov, 4th of the 8 sons of Rav Mordechai, the Chernobyler Maggid. He married Hinda Mattel, daughter of Rav Yosef HaLevi Horowitz, the Admor of Turchin, who in turn was the son of the Chozeh of Lublin. In 1833 he became Rebbe in the town of Makarov (1851).

8 Tishrei

Rav Noach of Lechovitz (1775-1832), son of Rav Mordechai, the founder of the Lechovitz dynasty. As he had no sons, his Chasidim were divided as to his successor: some went to his talmid, Rav Moshe of Kobrin, some to his son-in-law, Rav Mordechai, and some to his nephew Rav Shlomo Chaim of Koidenov. His divrei Torah were kept but not written alive until they were written down by the previous Slonimer Rebbe, as Toras Avos. Rav Baruch Schneerson, father of the Baal Hatanya (1789) Rav Elazar Nissan Teitelbaum of Drohbich (1855) Rav Shimon Sofer, Rav of Sandra and Paks (1930) Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Biala (1932) Rav Shlomo Benzion Twersky of Chernobyl (1939) Rav Binyomin Zeilberger, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Bais Hatalmud of Bensonhurst (1921-2005). Born in Koenigshaufen, Germany. Shortly after Pesach in 1936, he was sent to learn at the Mirrer Yeshiva in Poland, due in part to his parents fears of Hitler. He was zocheh to hear a few shmuzzen by Rav Yeruchom before the mashgiach was nifter two months later. In 1939, he traveled with the Mir Yeshiva, first to Vilna, then to Japan and Shanghai. In 1947, he traveled to America to learn in the newly established Mirrer Yeshiva. Soon, he married the daughter of Rav Yisrael Chaim Kaplan, a son-in-law of Rav Yeruchom. After the chasuna, Rav Binyomin joined Yeshiva Bais Hatalmud, which had recently been established by members of the Mir. There he remained as Rosh yeshiva for decades.

9 Tishrei

Rebbi Elazar ben Rav Shimon (123 CE) Rav Avraham Saba, author of Tzror Hamor (1519) Rav Avraham Abali ben Chaim HaLevi Gumbiner (1634-1682), born in Gumbin, he witnessed the massacre of his parents in the Chmielnitzki pogroms at the age of 18. He escaped to Lissa, and then to Kalish, where he became Rosh Yeshiva and afterwards Dayan of the city. He is the author of Magen Avraham, a definitive commentary on the Orach Chaim section of the Shulchan Aruch. He also authored Zayis Ra’anan on Yalkut Shimoni. [according to Hamodia 2005- 3 Tishrei] Rav Yitzchak Yehuda Shmeliks, the Beis Yitzchak (1905) Rav Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik (Rav Velvel) of Brisk, also referred to as the Griz (1886-1959). Son and most prominent disciple of Rav Chaim Solevetchik, succeeded his father in Brisk, survivied WWII and moved to Eretz Yisrael. Among his descendents are Rav Dovid and Rav Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik. Rav Eliezer Zusman Sofer, author of “Et Sofer” Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heschel Twersky, Admor of Machnova-Bnei Brak, grandson of the Maggid of Chernobyl (1895-1987) [10 Tishrei, according to Yated 2006]

10 Tishrei

Zecharia Cohen Godol Rabbi Akiva ben Yosef died al kiddush Hashem in Caesaria, 135. Born ~50 CE, he received most of his teaching from Rabbi Eliezer HaGadol. Rabbi Akiva was one of four Tannaim who entered the Pardes. The others were Ben Azzai, Ben Zoma, and Acher [Elisha ben Avuya]. According to some, Rabbi Akiva was the redactor of the Sefer Yetzira. Rav Achai Gaon, son of Rabba bar Ahuva (511) Rav Naftali Chaim of Dzikov (1894) Rav Yehuda Leib Ashlag of Yerushalayim (1886-1954). Rav Ashlag translated the Zohar into Hebrew from the original Aramaic, and he authored the Sulam, a commentary on the Zohar. Rav Ashlag reedited the "Etz Chaim" which is the definitive Lurianic work on essence and cosmology. To this he added a commentary transposing the somewhat abstract notion of "receptacle&" (Kli) into the experientially more accessible term "desire" (Ratzon) in all its many permutations. This work is known as the "Talmud Esser Sphirot." Rav Avraham Binyomin Silberberg, the Pittsburgher Rav (1962). Rav Moshe Yitzchak Gevirtzman, "Reb Itzikel” of Pshevorsk and Belgium (1976) Rav Shlomo Shimshon Karelitz (1910-2001). Born in Vilna on Tisha B'Av, his father, Rav Mayer was a moreh tzedek and the right-hand-man of the Chafetz Chaim and Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky. His grandfather was Rav Shemaryahu Karelitz, the rav of Kosova. The Chazon Ish, Rav Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz, was Rav Shlomo Shimshon's uncle. When he was fourteen, Rav Shlomo Shimshon left Kosova and went to the Mirrer yeshivah, where he became the talmid muvhak of its mashgiach, Rav Yerucham Levovitz. Shortly before the rise of the Third Reich, Rav Shlomo Shimshon and his parents moved to Eretz Yisrael. Several years later, he served as a dayan in the Petach Tikvah beis din. His publications included Divrei Shlomo and Shu"t Ateres Yisrael on Choshen Mishpat and Even HaEzer

11 Tishrei

Rav Huna berei Mar Zutra (466 CE) Mar bar Rav Ashi (466 CE) Rabbeinu Yitzchak Halevi from Speyer, talmid of Rashi Rav Avraham Abish of Frankfurt (1768) Rav Tzvi Aryeh of Alik (1811) Rav Menachem Mendel of Bohush (1942)

12 Tishrei

Rav Avraham Malach, the son of the Mezritcher Maggid (1741-1776). R. Avraham learned Kabbalah from the Maggid and the revealed Torah from R. Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the teacher chosen by the boy's father. When Rav Avraham's first wife passed away, he married the daughter of Rav Feivel of Kremenitz, author of Mishnas Chachomim. He wrote Chesed Le'Avraham, a commentary on the Torah, Talmud, Mishna and holidays. His grandson was Rav Yisrael of Rizhin. Rav Yechiel Michel of Zhvil, the 2nd Zhviller Rebbe (1856). His father, Rav Moshe (the 1st Zhviller Rebbe), was one of the five sons of the Zlotschover Maggid, R' Yechiel Michel.

13 Tishrei

Rav Akiva Eiger of Posen (1761-1837). A descendent of the Eshel Avraham, he was born in Eisenstadt. He married the daughter of Reb Itzik Margolies, one of th wealthiest Jews of Lisa. Because of a fire in 1791, his father-in-law lost all of his possessions, and Rav Akiva Eiger was forced into the rabbinate. In 1814, he took the position in Posen, a position he kept for the rest of his life. He was the father-in-law of the Chasam Sofer. He wrote close to 1000 responsa, half of which have been published. Rav Shmuel, the Rebbe Maharash (1834-1882). The 7th and youngest son of the Tzemach Tzedek, he became the 4th Rebbe of Lubavitch after the passing of his father in 1866. Rav Yisrael Friedman, the Sadigerer Rebbe (1853-1907). After Reb Yisrael was niftar, all 5 of his sons became Rebbes: Reb Aharon (the Kedushas Aharon), Reb Shalom Yosef of Chernovitz, Reb Avraham Yaakov (the next Rebbe of Sadigerer), Reb Yitzchak of Rimanov and Reb Shlomo Chaim (Reb Shlomenu). Rav Chaim Berlin (1832-1912). Born in Volozhin to Rav Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin (the Netziv), he became a Rav in Moscow in 1865). In 1889, he returned to Volozhin, where he served as Av Beis Din. In 1906, he moved to Yerushalyim, where - in 1909 - he served as Chief Rabbi of the Azhkenazi community. Rav Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky, Av Beis Din of Chust and Yerushalayim (1949). In his youth, he became a close talmid of the Shevet Sofer. His 1st marriage was to the daughter of Rav Mordechai Yehuda Winkler, the Livushei Mordechai. He became the Rav of Galanta. Sadly, he and his rebetzen were not zocheh to have children despite the blessings of many tzadikim. His rebetzen passed away during an epidemic in World War I. His then married Esther, the daughter of Rav Yoel Tzvi Neuhaus, and a son - Yisrael Moshe - was born on the 21st of Kislev in 1921. In Adar of 1930, the family moved to Erezt Yisrael. One month later, Rav Yosef Chaim Zonenfeld was nifar, and Rav Yosef Tzvi was appointed Rav of Yerushalyim, and - in 1933 - Av Beis Din of the Eidah Chareidis. [Yated 2005: 14 Tishrei]

14 Tishrei

Rav Shalom Shachna of Prohovitch, son of Rav Avraham HaMalach and father of the Ruzhiner Rebbe (1760-1802). He authored a sefer called Mashmea Shalom. Rav Yisrael Hopstein, the Maggid of Kozhnitz (1737-1816). The son of Shabsi , a poor bookbinder, Rav Yisrael became a disciple of four great chassidic rebbes - Rav Shmuel Shmelke of Nikolsburg, the Maggid of Mezritch, Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk, and Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. For nearly 50 years he led the Kozhnitz community. Most popular among his many books is Avodas Yisrael, thoughts on the weekly parsha. He also wrote BeisYisrael on the Talmud; Nezer Yisrael and Or Yisrael, both on the Zohar; and Tehillos Yisrael on Psalms. He was succeeded by his son Rav Moshe Elyakim Beriah. Rav Mordechai of Zhvill (1900). A great grandson of R' Avraham Ha-Malach (the son of the Maggid of Mezrich), Rav Mordechai became the third Zhviller Rebbe. He left two sons, the elder R' Yechiel Michel, who was succeeded by R' Yaakov Yisrael, and the younger R' Shlomo, who was succeeded upon his death in 1945 by R' Gedaliah Moshe. Rav Chaim Elazar Benzion Bruk, Rosh Yeshivas Novardok in Yerushalayim (1985), among the five main disciples of the Alter of Novardok. He was one of the 600 Novardok students who were secretly taken out of Communist Russia to Poland in the Summer of 1922. Rav Bruk left Grieve, Poland, for Yerushalayim in 1934, and founded the Bais Yosef Novardok Yeshiva. Rav Hillel Goldberg, executive editor of the Inmtermountain Jewish News in Denver, learned with Rav Bruk from 1972 to 1985. Rav Yitzchak Mordechai Schapiro of Gvodzitz-Sadigura (1934-2005). Born in Vienna, he was a descendent of the Maggid of Mezritch, the Noam Elimelech, the Berditchever Rebbe, and the Kozhnitzer Maggid. He moved to New York with his family in 1949. He attended Torah Vodaas. In 1962, he married the grand-daughter of Rav Yeruchim Leiner, the Radziner Rebbe of Boro Park.

15 Tishrei

Yaakov Avinu (1506 BCE) [others say on this day he was brought to Eretz Yisrael for burial in Me’oras HaMachpelah] Rav Yosef Shlomo Delmedigo, the Yashar of Candia (1591-1655). His forefathers moved to Crete from Germany in the early 15th century. As a youth, he excelled in his Torah studies as well as mathematics, astronomy, medicine and mastered several languages, all before he was 15. He then traveled to Padua to enroll in the University, where he studied under Galileo. After graduation, he returned to Candia. He married and began to practice medicine, by which he earned his acronysm, “Yashar” (Yosef Shlomo Rofeh). He wrote an encyclopedic treatise entitled Bais Yaar HaLevanon, a summary of all branches of knowledge studied in his days (never published). He also amassed a library of over 7000 volumes. He became the personal physician of Prince Radzivil of Lithuania while he lived in Vilna. While there, he replied at length to a series of deep questions on philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy. His treatise is called Mayan Ganim, but the reference is sometimes called by the name of the book of the questions, Sefer Eilim. Rav Yosef became Rav of Hamburg, where he wrote Matzreif LaChachmah, a defense of the study of kabalah. In 1628, he became Sephardic Rav of Amsterdam, where his sefer Novlos Chachmah, was published. Rav Yitzchak Eizek of Koritz (1787) Rav Meshulam Katz, author of Ikar Tosefos Yom Tov (1799) Rav Mordechai of Lechovitch (1810), disciple of Rav Shlomo of Karlin. He was exceedingly charitable, particularly toward the poor of Eretz Yisrael. Rav Meir Arik of Tarnow, Galicia. He was the teacher the Maharsham, Reb Yehuda (Yeedle’le) Horowitz of Dzikov, and Rav Meshulam Roth; author of Teshuvos Imrei Yosher and Tal Torah (1925) Rav Mordechai Leifer of Nadvorna (1835-1894). The great-grandson of Rav Meir "The Great" of Premishlan, Rav Mordechai was orphaned early and raised by his uncle, Reb Meir’l of Premishlan. His teachings are collected in Gedulas Mordechai.

16 Tishrei

Rav Moshe Zacusa (the Ramaz) (1625-1697). One of the foremost kabbalists of his generation, he was the author of Kol Haramaz, a commentary on the Zohar, as well as Shorshei HaShemos, on he names of G-d. He taught Rav Moshe Chaim Luzzato (the Ramchal) when the latter was still quite young. Rav Yitzchak Dov Halevi Bamberger, Av Beis Din of Wurzburg, 19th century posek. Rav Shimon of Yareslov (1849) Rav Tzvi Hirsch Shapiro of Munkacs, author of Darkei Teshuva on Yoreh Deah (1850-1913). He was the great-grandson of Rav Zvi Elimelech of Dinov (the Bnei Yissoscher) and the father of Rav Chaim Elazar Shapiro (the Minchas Elazar), who published the final volume of Darkei Teshuva. Rav Nachman Kahana of Spinka in Bnei Brak (1976)

17 Tishrei

Rav Moshe Rosen, author of Nezer Hakodesh (1957) Rav Dovid Kahana Shapira of Piorda (1970)

18 Tishrei

Rabbi Nachman of Breslav, born to Feige, grand-daughter of the Ba'al Shem Tov, and Simcha, son of Nachman of Horodenka, the Ba'al Shem Tov's close friend, in Mezhbizh. (1772-1810). He contracted tuberculosis at some point between 1806 and 1810, a period during which he lost his son, daughter, and wife. He moved from Breslav to Uman on May 9, 1810, and died there October 16. Rav Betzalel Reneshburg, author of the notes known as Hagaos Harav Reneshburg on the lateral columns of the Vilna Shas (1820). [Hamodia 2005: 15 Tishrei] Rav Yona Mertzbach (1900-1980), Mashgiach of Yeshiva Kol Hatorah, and a central figure in the redaction of the Encyclopedia Talmudica. He was also renowned as an authority on the Hebrew grammar and language, and also on the authentic German minhagim. The Nazis assumed power in Germany on the 3rd of Shevat (January 30), 1933. Darmstadt, the city where Rav Mertzbach was then rav, was the first city in the country where the Nazis closed all Jewish shops for an entire day, on the 28th of March. Their pretext was that the opening of the Jewish stores, "endangered communal order and tranquility." Approximately 300,000 Jews left Germany before the war and another 150,000 managed to escape after the war started, whereas approximately 160,000 perished in concentration and forced labor camps. Four months after Kristallnacht, the family arrived in Eretz Yisrael on Shushan Purim, 1939. Rav Ahron HaLevi Soloveichik, a scion of the great Soloveitchik family, son of Rav Moshe Soloveitchik, and grandson of Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, the famed Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin and Rav of Brisk. Rav Ahron was born in Khaslavichy, a city in western Russia. When the communists invaded Khaslavichy in 1919, the Soloveitchiks escaped to Poland. As a young man Rav Ahron gained from such Torah giants as the Chafetz Chaim and the Imrei Emes. When the Soloveitchik’s moved to New York in 1928 with Rav Moshe assuming the position of Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchonon, young Reb Ahron continued learning under the tutelage of his father who gave him semicha. He was taught English by Rav Avigdor Miller, who later would serve as the Mashgiach at Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin. In the easrly 1950s he became a magid shiur in Yeshivas Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin under the leadership of Rav Yitzchak Hutner. After the petira of his father in 1941, Reb Ahron lived in Washington Heights to aid his mother. In 1966, he came to Chicago as Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Medrash LaTorah, Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, a post he held until 1974. He eventually left that institution and started Yeshivas Brisk of Chicago. In 1983, a debilitating stroke left Rav Ahron partially paralyzed. His body racked with pain, his mind was still sharp and he continued his shiurim, despite tremendous physical difficulties. After the passing of his brother Rav Yosef Ber he would travel each week to Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan to give shiurim in his late brother’s stead. (1917-2001) Rav Meshulam Igra (1801). He taught Rav Naftali Tzvi Ropshitz during the latter’s early years. See Rav Yeshaya Schneelbalg, Rav of Bnei Brak Re’em (2002)

19 Tishrei

Rav Aaron, the Sadigerer Rebbe, the Kedushas Aharon. (1913), son Rav Yisrael of Sadiger; father of Reb Mordechai Shalom Yosef. He died tragically, just six years after his father’s petira, at the age of 36. Rav Eliyahu ben Shlomo Zalman, the Vilna Gaon (1720-1797). At the age of seven he gave his first public discourse and displayed a fully developed intellect. By the time he was ten he had advanced to the point where he no longer needed a teacher. At the age of 35 he was approached by one of the leading sages of that time, Rabbi Yonason Eybschutz, to act as an intermediary in the conflict between him and another great sage, Rabbi Yakov Emden. The Gaon's son testified that for fifty years his father did not sleep for more than two hours in a twenty-four hour period. His breadth of knowledge was amazing. He was capable of stating from memory the number of times any sage was mentioned in any particular book of the Talmud. His knowledge of both the revealed and the hidden parts of the Torah was beyond compare. The Gaon considered secular knowledge to be a vital adjunct to Torah study. He was knowledgeable in almost all secular fields and authored books on grammar and mathematics. Among his many writings is Aderes Eliyahu, a commentary on Chumash. Rav Yaakov Yitzchak, the Yid Hakadosh of P’shischa (1766-1813). A talmid of the Chozeh of Lublin, he was the rebbi of Rav Simchah Bunim of P’shischa. Other important disciples of his included Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, Rav Yitzchak Meir of Ger, Rav Chanoch Heinich of Alexander, Rav Yitzchak of Vorki and Rav Yissachar Ber of Radoshitz. Rav Yaakov Yitzchak initiated a new path in Chassidus, the service of G-d through Torah study together with prayer. He thus founded a Polish version of Chassidus, which assigned a greater importance to Torah study and the role of scholars, and started to campaign against the superficiality and ignorance which had developed within Chasidism. Rav Naftoli (Herman) Neuberger, long time administrative head of Yeshivas Ner Yisrael of Baltimore (1918-2005). As the public representative of not only the yeshiva, but much of Baltimore’s Orthodox community for many years, Rav Neuberger met often with Jewish and government figures. Born in Hassfurt, a small Bavarian town along the Main River, Rav Neuberger was the youngest of Meir and Bertha Neuberger's three children. Four weeks after his bar mitzvah, his father died. In 1935, he left home to study at the Mirrer yeshiva in Poland. In 1938, he immigrated alone to the United States at 20, speaking only German and Yiddish. He enrolled at Ner Yisrael, which had opened 5 years earlier. In 1940, he began working in the yeshiva office. In 1942, Rav Neuberger married Judith Kramer, the youngest of Mrs. Ruderman's four sisters. By the mid-1950s, he was responsible for fund-raising and the yeshiva's physical operation and was responsible for moving the Yeshiva to its current campus. After Rabbi Ruderman's death in 1987, Rabbi Neuberger assumed the title of president. Through his efforts, beginning in 1975, over 800 Iranian immigrants attended Ner Israel -- on full scholarship. The eldest of his five sons, Rav Sheftel Neuberger, is vice president of the Yeshiva and was his father's right hand. Besides Sheftel, their other sons are: Isaac, a Pikesville attorney; Rav Shraga Neuberger, a Ner Israel rebbe; Yaakov, a Greenspring attorney; and Rav Ezra Neuberger, a Ner Israel rebbe and dean of its kollel.

20 Tishrei

Rav Avraham Yehoshua Heschel of Crakow (1596-1663), son of Rav Yaakov Lubliner and the grandson (through his mother) of Rav Meir Katzenellenbogen. Rav Eliezer Papo, author of Peleh Yoetz and Damesek Eliezer (1785-1828). Born in Sarajevo, he led the community of Selestria, Bulgaria, and died early at the age of 41. He is considered the exemplary spokesman of the Sephardic musar tradition of the eighteenth century. He promised in his will that, “Whoever comes to my grave in purity after immersing in a mikveh, and prays with a broken heart, I guarantee him that his prayer will be accepted.” As such, his kever in Silestra, Bulgaria, is the destination of hundreds of visitors annually. His talmid muvhak was Rav Yoshiyahu Pinto. Rav Yaakov Yosef ben Yehuda Leib, ("Reb Yaybi Saba"), Maggid of Ostra, 1791 Rav Shimon of Skrenovitz (1926) Rav Yosef Moshe Addess (1923-1991). Born to Rav Yaakov Addess, he learned at the Porat Yosef yeshiva in the Old City during his youth. There he became very close to the rosh yeshiva, Rav Ezra Attia. In 1952, he began to teach in the Tzofiof shul in the Bucharian neighborhood of Yerushalayim. On Friday mornings, he always taught mussar, mainly from the sefer Peleh Yoetz (interesting that its author shared his yahrtzeit). These mussar shiurim were published later by a student, under the title Kochvei Or. He became Rosh Yeshiva, Porat Yosef, Yerushalayim. He son, Rav Yaakov, became rosh kollel of Maalos Yosef, and his son Aaron heads the various chessed projects started by Rav Yosef. He died on the same date that he was born. (19 Tishrei, according to Yated 2006) Rav Avraham Yissachar Englard, the Sosnovtza Rav/ Radziner Rebbe of Eretz Yisrael (1906-2005). Born in Krimelov to Rav Yeshaya, a grandson (and great-grandson) of the Shach, who served as Rav and Av Beis Din in Mondziuv and Sosnovitz (Sosnovtza). He became the son-in-law of the Radziner Rebbe, the Tiferes Yosef. When his father-in-law was nifter, The Rebbe’s son, Rav Shmuel Shlomo became Rebbe. During World War II, he escaped to the forest and joined the partisans; there in the forest, he wore the same clothes for almost two years. After the War, he returned to Sosnovitz, where he served as Rav and Av Beis Din. In 1948, he moved to Brooklyn, and in 1952, he accepted an invitation to join Chassidim of Radzin in Eretz Yisrael. He founded Radziner batei medrash in Bnei Brak, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Yerushayalim, Netanya, Petach Tikva, and Holon, and the Sod Yesharim Yeshiva in Yerushalayim. He moved to Crown Heights in 1954, but moved back to Bnei Brak in 1971.

21 Tishrei

Rav Yaakov Yosef HaKohen of Polnayah (Polonnoye), author of Toldos Yaakov Yosef (1710-1784). He was the foremost disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, and one of the earliest champions of chassidus. He was a descendant of Rav Shimshon of Ostropole, and Rav Yomtov Lipman Heller, the Tosefos Yomtov. While still a young man, Rav Yaakov Yosef was appointed as the rav of Sharigrod in Padalia, a former province of Poland, and it is there that he became an ardent disciple of the Baal Shem Tov. His first sefer, Toldos Yaakov Yosef, is the first Chassidic sefer ever published, and is a major source of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, repeating the phrase, "I have heard from my teacher," 249 times, and quoting him about another 40 times. In addition to Toldos Yaakov Yosef, he authored Ben Poras Yosef, Tzofnas Paane'ach, and Kesones Passim. Rav Menachem Mendel of Premishlan (1777?). A disciple of the Baal Shem Tov as well as of the Maggid of Mezritch. He settled in Eretz Yisrael in 1768. The actual year of his death is unknown. However, it was probably before 1777, since a large contingency of Chassidim that arrived that year apparently found him no longer living. His yahrtzeits date, however, is well-established. Rav Dovid Moshe Friedman, the first Chortkover Rebbe, the 5th son of Rav Yisrael of Ruzhin (1828-1903). He moved to Chortkov in 1865 to become Rav, a position he kept for over 40 years. He is the author of Divrei Dovid. Upon his death in 1904, his son Reb Yisrael succeeded him. Rav Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer, the Cheshev Sofer (1961) [or the Daas Sofer] Rav Yaakov Aryeh Twersky, the Trisker Rebbe (1979)

22 Tishrei

Rav Aharon Halevi Hurvitz of Stroshel, primary student of the Alter Rebbe of Lubavitch, author of Avodas Halevi and Shaar Hayichud (1828) Rav Shraga Feivel of Gritza (1848) Rav Moshe Shmuel Glasner (1857-1924). Rav Moshe, a great-grandson of the Chasam Sofer, was born in Pressburg and later moved with his family to Klausenberg, where his father served as Rav. Rav Moshe succeeded his father in that post in 1878 and filled it until 1923, when he settled in Yerushalayim. Rav Moshe's best known work is Dor Revi'i on Meseches Chullin. His other works include responsa and a Torah commentary. Rav Dovid Shapiro of Sonik-Dinov (1933). Rav Moshe Yaakov Hakohen Revikov (Ribikov), tzadik nistar, the “sandlar (shoemaker) of Tel Aviv” (1966) Nadvorna Rebbe of Petach Tikva (2002)

23 Tishrei

Rav Dovid Jungreis, Rosh Av Beis din Yerushalayim (1898-1971). Rav Dovid's grandfather was Rav Moshe HaLevi Jungreis, a student of the Ksav Sofer and the av beis din of Kashoi, while his father was Rav Baruch Reuven Shlomoh, the founder of the Eidah HaChareidis. He had married Rebbetzin Miriam Pu'ah, a daughter of Rav Asher Zussman. In 1931, at the age of 33, he was appointed dayan in the Eidah HaChareidis' beis din, joing Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld. His knowledge was so vast, the Satmar Rav once said, "If Rav Dovid is here, I don't need any sefer." Although he was childless, Rav Dovid's insightful drashos, which were compiled by his students into a sefer, entitled Or Dovid Rabbeinu Chanoch ben Rabbeinu Moshe of Cordova, one of the four Shevuyim Rav Menachem Mendel of Linsk, father of Rav Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz (1802).

24 Tishrei

Rav Eliyahu Guttmacher, Av Beis din Greiditz (1796-1874). Born near Posen (Poznan) in eastern Germany (today, Poland) he became, at age 19, a student of R' Akiva Eiger for four years. R' Guttmacher published several pamphlets describing his ideas about the Redemption and the return to Eretz Yisrael. He also left behind many manuscripts on "traditional" Torah subjects, and some of his commentaries are published in the back of the standard Vilna edition of the Talmud. Rav Yaakov Yosef of Polnoye (1669-1781), author of Toldos Yaakov Yosef, first printed book of Chassidus, talmid of the Baal Shem Tov. While still a young man, Yaakov Yosef was appointed Rav of Sharogrod. After meeting with with the Baal Shem Tov and becoming an early adherent of his, he was asked to leave his post. He served as Rav of Rashkov and of Nemirov, and then in 1770 he became the Rav of Polnoye. He also authored Ben Porat Yosef, Tzofnat Paane'ach, and Ketonet Passim. Althought he exact year of his birth is not known, it is believed that he lived more than 110 years. Rav Elchonon Sorotzkin, Chairman of Vaad Hayeshivos; son of Rav Zalman Sorotzkin (author of Oznayim Le-Torah). Rav Avraham Yehuda Leib Hacohen Schwartz, the Kol Aryeh Rav Chaim Zanvil Abramowitz, the Ribnitzer Rebbe, Monsey (1995); attended Kishinev Yeshiva in the 1920s and sat at the court of Rav Avraham Mattisyahu of Sthefanesht in Romania. After emigrating from Russia in 1973, he lived in Yerushalayim and Monsey, NY. It is known that from the 1930s until the end of his life he fasted on all days when it is permitted to do so under Jewish law. Rav Chaim Shaul Kaufman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Tiferes Yaakov of Gateshead (1938-2005). Born in Berlin as the youngest of 8 children, he came to Gateshead in July 1939. He married Leah Nagel of Antwerp.

25 Tishrei

Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev (1740-1810). At the suggestion of his mentor, Reb Smelke of Nikolburg, he traveled to Mezritch and became a close disciple of the Magid of Mezritch. Following posts at Zelichov and Pinsk, he spent the last 25 years of his life in Berdichev. His teachings are contained in the posthumously published Kedushas Levi. Rav Moshe Sofer, the Chasam Sofer, Pressburg (1762-1839), learned under Rav Nosson Adler of Franfort and Rav Pinchas Halevi Horowitz, the Baal Haflaah (a talmid of the the maggid of Mezeritch). He was born in Frankfurt Am Mein. His first position was as a Rav in rabbi in Boskovitz in Moravia. He married the daughter of the rav of Prosnitz and was supported by his brother-in-law, Rav Hirsch. Unfortunately, Rav Hirsch eventually lost all his money, and the Chasam Sofer took a position as rav in the Moravian city of Dresnitz. After five years in Dresnitz, Rav Moshe moved to Mattersdorf. The Chasam Sofer was appointed Rav of Pressburg in Tishrei of 1806, and he occupied that position for 33 years. After the petira of his first wife, Rav Moshe married the daughter of Rav Akiva Eiger. She bore the previously childless Chasam Sofer 7 daughters and 3 sons. Rav Dovid Matisyahu Rabinowitz, Biala Rebbe of Bnei Brak (1997) Rav Yom Tov Lipman Helprin (Heilprin), author of Kedushas Yom Tov.

26 Tishrei

Rav Aharon of Zhitomer, author of Toldos Aharon (1816). A talmid muvhak of Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, he succeeded Rav Zev Wolf of Zhitomir (the Ohr Hemeir) upon the appointment of the Kedushas Levi. His divrei Torah were written down by one of his closest talmidim, Rav Levi of Zhitomir, after he heard them, at the end of every Shabbos and Yom Tov. Rav Asher (I) of Karlin, the Stoliner Rebbe (1760-1828), son of the Rebbe, Rav Aharon HaGadol of Karlin. When his father passed away, he was raised by his successor Rebbe Shlomo Karliner who became one of his main influences. Rebbe Asher later settled in Stolin. [1826 per Hamodia 2006] Rav Yehuda Yudel Rosenberg (1859-1935). Born in Skaraschev, a small town near Radomsko, Poland. He served as Rav in Tarlow, and age 25, he was appointed Av Beis Din. In 1903, he published Yados Nedarim, a commentary on Rashi and Ran to meseches Nedarim. In 1905, he published Shaarei Zohar Torah, an attempt to organize for the verses of the Torah what the Zohar said on that verse.

27 Tishrei

Rabbeinu Yitzchak Hazaken bar Shmuel (the Ri Hazaken), of the Baalei Tosfos (1120-1200). The Ri’s maternal grandfather was Rashi’s son-in-law, Rav Meir ben Shmuel. He was thus a nephew and a disciple of Rabbeinu Tam and the Rashbam (both sons of Rav Meir ben Shmuel). He was also a grandson of one of Rashi's leading students, Rav Simcha of Vitry (author of Machzor Vitry). The Ri directed the yeshiva at Ramerupt after Rabbeinu Tam moved to Troyes. Thereafter, he founded the yeshiva at Dampierre. The Ri Hazaken succeeded Rabbenu Tam as head of the academy in Ramerupt, France. Among Rav Yitzchak's students were Rav Shimshon of Sens (who edited many of our Tosefos, wrote important works in his own right, and led 300 families to settle in Eretz Yisrael in 1211), Rav Yitzchak ben Avraham ("Ritzba"), and Rav Baruch, author of Sefer Haterumos. The Ri also was a kabbalist who lived an ascetic life and observed two days of Yom Kippur (presumably for the same reason that Jews in the diaspora observe two days of other holidays). Ri had at least two sons, both of whom died in his lifetime: Rabbenu Elchanan and Rabbenu Shlomo. [Hamodia 2005: 1188] Rav Ephraim Zalman Shor, author of Tevuos Shor (1633) (28 Tishrei, according to Yated 2006) Rav Elazar Rokeach of Amsterdam, the Maaseh Rokeah (1741) Rav Nosson Tzvi Kenig, rosh kolel Breslav in Bnei Brak

28 Tishrei

Rav Nachman Tzvi HaLevi of Kolomaya, son of Rav Yitzcak, Rav of Kolomaya (1829) Rav Shmuel Landau of Prague, second son of the Noda BeYehuda (1837) Rav Avraham Eiger, the Admor of Lublin (1914-2000; Hamodia says 1916-2002). He was named after his father, the author of Shevet MiYehuda, who had died just three months before his birth on erev Rosh Chodesh Iyar. He joined a long line of admorim stretching back through his grandfather, R' Shlomo Eiger, and his great- grandfather, the great R' Akiva Eiger, all the way to the founder of the dynasty, R' Leibele Eiger, also known as the Toras Emes. He survived the war by escaping to Shanghai. In 1949, he moved to Eretz Yisrael, settling in Yerushalayim for a year, then setting up the Lubliner Beis Chassidim in Tel Aviv. In 1955, he moved to Bnei Brak, and in 1963, he set up his Beis Midrash in the center of Zichron Meir.

29 Tishrei

Shimon Hatzadik of the Anshei Knesset Hagedola, 313 BCE [Hamodia 2005: 711 BCE] Rav Menachem Mendel of Vizhnitz (1830-1885), author of Tzemach Tzedek. Named for His grandfather, Rav Menachem Mendel Hager of Kossov (1768-1825), founder of the Vizhnitz dynasty. Born to Rav Chaim of Kossov, who betrothed him to Miriam, daughter of Rav Yisrael of Rizhin, when his son was only 6 years old. The wedding took place in 1844. In 1854, he moved to Vizhnitz, a small town at the foot of the Carpathian mountains, 30 miles from the Romanian border. Shortly thereafter his father was niftar. He assumed the mantle of Vizhnitz when he was only 24. He was succeeded by his son Rav Baruch (1845-1893). Rav Akiva Glasner (1956). A descendant of the Chasam Sofer and of Rav Akiva Eiger, Rav Glasner succeeded his father, Rav Moshe Shmuel Glasner, as Chief Rabbi of Klausenberg, Rumania, in 1922, and served there until the deportation of the Jews in 1944. He was deported to Bergen-Belsen, but was saved from there on the famous "Kasztner train." (Rudolf Kasztner was a non-religious Hungarian Zionist who struck a deal with Adolf Eichman to save some 1,700 Jews in exchange for trucks. Years later, an Orthodox Israeli journalist accused Kasztner of acting improperly, and Kasztner sued for libel. After a celebrated trial, Kasztner lost. He was exonerated on appeal, but only posthumously, having been murdered in 1957. Among those saved by Kasztner was Rav Yoel Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe) After the War, Rav Glasner lived in Zurich until his death at age 71. His works include: Dor Dorim and Ikvei Hatzon. Rav Shmuel Tzvi Danziger, Alexander Rebbe (1923). The son of Rav Yechiel Danziger and brother of Rav Yerachmiel Yisrael Yitzchak Danziger (1853-1910). Rav Shmuel authored Tiferes Shmuel. His son, Rav Yitzchak Menachem Mendel Danziger (1880-1943; author of Akeidas Yitzchak) succeeded him as Rebbe.

30 Tishrei

Rav Tzvi Hirsh Chayos, the Maharatz Chayos, Rav of Zolkov (1805-1855). Born in Brody to Rav Meir Chiyus. He was a descendent of Rav Yitzchak Chiyus, the Zera Yitzchak. The family could trace their lineage back to Dovid Hamelech. He received smicha at the age of 21 from Rav Ephraim Zalman Margulies, Rav of Brody. Two years later, he was appointed Rav of ZolokovaIn 1854, he became Rav of Kalisch. His was the author of Sheilos U’teshuvos Maharatz, Atreres Tzvi, and Divrei Horaa. His thoughts on Shas are prinyted in the back of Geamaras used today. Rav Tzvi Hirsch’s son. Rav Yitzchak, was mechaber of the sefer Siach Yitzchak on maseches Makkos. Rabbi Moshe from Shershov (1826) Rav Avraham Dovid Wahrman of Butchatch (1771-1840). Born in Nadvorna, Galicia (today, in the Ukraine). In addition to his father, Avraham Dovid also studied under his uncle Rav Yehoshua Charif. At age ten, Avraham Dovid became engaged to the daughter of Rav Zvi Hirsch Kara of Butchatch, and he moved to that town to study under his future father-in-law. Beginning in 1791, Rav Avraham Dovid served as rabbi of Yazlowitz for 24 years. In 1814, Rav Zvi Hirsch Kara died, and Rav Avraham Dovid was offered the rabbinate of Butchatch in his place. It was there that he spent the remainder of his days. His best known works are Da'as Kedoshim on parts of Shulchan Aruch Yorah Deah, and Eishel Avraham on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim. The latter work is printed in the back of standard editions of the Shulchan Aruch. [Yated 2005 notes that Avraham Oppenheim, author of Aishel Avraham on Shulchan Aruch, was niftar 10 Cheshvan]