This Day In History 12 Adar/February 27

Yahrtzeiten

5661/1901, Harav Menachem Mendel Eichenstein, Rebbe of Ziditchov, zt”l

5676/1916, Harav Mordechai Rotblatt, zt”l, of Slonim (Adar I)

5679/1919, Harav Shlomo, Rebbe of Sassov-Lvov, zt”l (Adar I)

5697/1937, Harav Alter Eliezer Horowitz, zt”l, the Beitcher Rebbe

5665/2005, Harav Naftali Tzvi Halberstam, Rebbe of Bobov, zt”l

5692/1932, Harav Yehoshua Shapiro of Bluzhov, Zy”a, the Keren Yeshuah (Adar I)

Harav Yehoshua Shapiro was born on 10 Sivan 5622/1862. His father was Harav Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro of Bluzhov, zy”a, the Tzvi LaTzaddik, a grandson of the Bnei Yisaschar. His mother was the daughter of Harav Moshe of Rozvadov, zy”a, a grandson of Harav Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz, zy”a.

In his formative years, Reb Yehoshua learned from his father.

When he became of age, Reb Yehoshua married the daughter of his uncle, Harav Menachem Mendel Marilus, zt”l, who was the son-in-law of his paternal grandfather Harav Dovid of Dinov, zt”l.

They had three children — two sons and a daughter. Shortly after the birth of their youngest son, Rav Meir, even before the bris, his wife took ill and passed away.

Later, Reb Yehoshua married the daughter of Harav Yaakov, zt”l, Rav of Delatin, a descendant of the Baal Shem Tov. They had five children.

As a young man, Reb Yehoshua was asked to serve as Rav in Ribatitch, where his father and grandfather, the Bnei Yisaschar, zy”a, had both served as Rabbanim.

At the age of 23, in 5645/1885, Reb Yehoshua was also appointed Rav Hatza’ir of Bluzhov.

Aside from his greatness in Torah, Reb Yehoshua was noted for his vast humility. He was always willing to go out of his way to help his fellow Yid.

When World War I broke out, Reb Yehoshua and his family were forced to flee Bluzhov.

After the War, Reb Yehoshua settled in Reisha, where many Bluzhover Chassidim resided. With his father’s consent, Reb Yehoshua began to hold court in Reisha.

On 5 Nissan 5684/1924, his father, Reb Tzvi Elimelech, was niftar. Reb Yehoshua was then appointed Rebbe in his father’s place.

Reb Yehoshua remained in Reisha for the next eight years, until his petirah. Many Chassidim traveled to his court, as he was known for his mofsim.

From the winter of 5692/1932, Reb Yehoshua took ill. He was niftar on 12 Adar I, at the age of 70.

He was buried near his father, in Reisha.

His works on the Torah and Yamim Tovim were published, titled Keren Yeshuah.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Feb. 27

In 1801, the District of Columbia was placed under the jurisdiction of Congress.

In 1911, inventor Charles F. Kettering demonstrated his electric automobile starter in Detroit by starting a Cadillac’s motor with just the press of a switch, instead of hand-cranking.

In 1933, Germany’s parliament building, the Reichstag, was gutted by fire; Chancellor Adolf Hitler, blaming the Communists, used the fire to justify the suspension of civil liberties.

In 1943, The U.S. government, responding to a copper shortage, began circulating one-cent coins made of steel plated with zinc. The steel pennies proved unpopular, since they were easily mistaken for dimes.

In 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, limiting a president to two terms of office, was ratified.