This Day In History 10 Shevat/January 26

In 4995/1235, seven German Jews were tortured and burned al kiddush Hashem.

Yahrtzeiten

5537/1777, Harav Shalom Sharabi, zt”l, the Rashash, mechaber of Nahar Shalom

5573/1813, Harav Shlomo of Lotzk, zt”l, mechaber of Dibras Shlomo

5705/1945, Harav Yissochor Shlomo Teichtal zt”l, Hy”d, Rav of Pishtian and mechaber of She’eilos U’Teshuvos Mishneh Sachir

5710/1950, Harav Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, Rebbe of Lubavitch, zt”l

5719/1959, Harav Rachamim Chai Chavitah Hakohen, Zt”l, Rav of Djerba, Tunisia

Harav Rachamim Chai Chavitah Hakohen was born on 22 Sivan, 5661/1901, in Djerba. His father, Harav Chanina Hakohen, zt”l, was a talmid chacham who worked as a smith. He arose early for Tikkun Chatzos, after which he learned until Shacharis. He would ask his son to write down his chiddushei Torah, many of which appear in Harav Rachamim Chai Chavitah’s sefer Minchas Kohen.

As a bachur Harav Rachamim Chai Chavitah devoted himself to learning. He wrote every chiddush he heard, and corresponded with many Gedolei Yisrael.

Although Harav Chanina was struggling for a livelihood, he didn’t allow his son Harav Rachamim Chai Chavitah to go to work, as was customary at the time.

Harav Rachamim Chai Chavitah used to learn until late at night. His father wouldn’t go to sleep until his son had finished learning. After Harav Rachamim Chai Chavitah realized that he was keeping his father awake, he would interrupt his learning and go to bed, pretending to sleep. After his father fell asleep, he would arise and continue learning.

Along with Gemara, Harav Rachamim Chai Chavitah began delving into Halachah and hora’ah. He learned under Harav Khalfon Moshe Hakohen, zt”l, between 5675/1915 and 5680/1920. Harav Khalfon would pose a she’eilah, and direct the talmidim to the sources. They would all write their understanding of the words of the poskim, and would show him their answers on the following Shabbos.

In 5680/1920 Harav Chavitah married, and was appointed the sofer of the Beis Din.

In 5681/1921, at the age of 20, Harav Chavitah began teaching talmidim. At 24, Harav Chavitah was appointed Rosh Yeshivah of Beis Medrash Harav Eliezer.

Following the petirah of Harav Tzion Hakohen, zt”l, toward the end of 5691/1931, the kehillah of Djerba asked Harav Chavitah to serve as Dayan. Harav Kaddir Tzavan, zt”l, was appointed Rosh Yeshivah in his place. Harav Chavitah still made time to learn with the senior talmidim from the yeshivah.

In 5710/1950 the Rav of Djerba, Harav Khalfon Moshe Hakohen, was niftar. Harav Chavitah was appointed to succeed him.

On 27 Av 5714/1954, Harav Chavitah moved to Eretz Yisrael, settling in Moshav Berachyah near Ashkelon. Unofficially he was the Rav of all Tunisian Jews in Eretz Yisrael.

Harav Chavitah was niftar on 10 Shevat, 5719/1959. He wrote many sefarim, some of which were published in his lifetime. They include She’eilos U’Teshuvos Simchas Kohen; Minchas Kohen on the Torah; Maggid Devarav LeYaakov on Haggadah shel Pesach; Pirchei Kehunah on Shas; and his drashos, Kesser Kehunah.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

Jan. 26

In 1784, in a letter to his daughter Sarah, Benjamin Franklin expressed unhappiness over the choice of the bald eagle as the symbol of America, and stated his own preference: the turkey.

In 1837, Michigan became the 26th state.

In 1870, Virginia rejoined the Union.

In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Rocky Mountain National Park Act, which created America’s 10th national park.