This Day In History 18 Teves/January 5

In 4231/470, Rav Huna bar Mar Zutra, the head of Babylonian Jewry (Reish Galusa), and Rav Mesharshiya bar Pekod were arrested by the Persian authorities and killed al kiddush Hashem. Ravna Ameimar bar Mar Yanuka was also arrested; he was killed two months later. These events led to the demise of the Rabbanan Svora’i, (who succeeded the Amora’im in leading Babylonian Jewry), and eventually to the decline of Torah in Bavel.

In 5707/1947, two ships loaded with Jewish Holocaust survivors were stopped by the British; their passengers were taken to Cyprus. Only two years later to the day the British announced their intention to release the Cyprus internees.

Yahrtzeiten

5610/1850, Harav Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro of Dinov, zt”l, the Bnei Yissaschar

5626/1866, Harav Moshe, Rebbe of Korestchov, zt”l

5676/1915, Harav Chaim Shmuel Horowitz of Chentchin, zt”l

5710/1950, Harav Moshe Chalfon, zt”l, of Djerba, Tunisia, mechaber of Sho’el Venish’al and Bris Kehunah

5707/1947, Harav Tzvi Hirsch Grodzinski, Zt”l, Chief Rabbi of Omaha, Nebraska

Harav Tzvi Hirsch Grodzinski was born in the small town of Tavrig, a suburb of Vilna, in 5618/1858. His father Harav Meir, zt”l, was a descendant of a prestigious rabbinical family.

His first teacher was Harav Gershon Mendel Ziv, zt”l, the town’s Rav. Then he studied with his younger cousin Harav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski, zt”l, in the nearby town of Ivye. He later joined the Kovner Kollel, were he received semichah from Harav Yitzchok Elchonon Spector, zt”l, Harav of Kovna.

He later returned to Vilna to continue learning with Harav Chaim Ozer. From Vilna he went on to Volozhin, led by Harav Naftali Tzvi Yehudah Berlin, zt”l.

In 1891, Harav Tzvi Hirsh left Europe for the United States, settling eventually in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was appointed Chief Rabbi.

As Omaha’s chief Rabbi, the Rav waged constant battles with Reformists. He also fought the blatant chillul Shabbos of the time, and assisted European agunos whose husbands “escaped” to America.

Rav Tzvi Hirsh published scores of articles in rabbinical journals in the United States and Eretz Yisrael, among them Hapardes, Knesses Chachmei Yisroel and Hame’assef.

His sefarim include Mikveh Yisrael on hilchos mikvaos; Likutei Tzvi on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim; Milli d’Brachos on Maseches Brachos; and Mikro’ei Kodesh, on Krias haTorah.

To date, thousands of manuscript pages of his commentaries on Yoreh De’ah and Shas, as well as she’eilos u’teshuvos, remain unpublished. They are currently stored in the Ozar Haposkim Institute in Eretz Yisrael.

Shortly before his petirah, the Rav mailed a copy of Mikro’ei Kodesh to every Jewish family in Omaha to commemorate the more than 50 years of service he provided to the Cornhusker State.

Harav Tzvi Hirsh was niftar on 18 Teves 5707/1947. He was buried in the Pleasant Hill (Temple Israel) Cemetery in Omaha. In accordance with his wishes, no hespeidim were delivered. At the time of his petirah he was considered one of the foremost Rabbanim in the United States and Canada.

On the day after his passing, Der Morgen Zshurnal wrote:

“Harav Grodzinski spent his entire life on Torah and righteous works. He made his night like unto day in his quest for knowledge. He became known as an extraordinarily creative scholar and original thinker. His fame spread far and wide as a genius in early youth.”

It is reported that Harav Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik, the Brisker Rav, zt”l, once commented that had Harav Tzvi Hirsh stayed in Europe he would have been just as famous as his younger cousin, Harav Chaim Ozer.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

Prepared by Baruch Amsel, director of I.J.H. For more information on this or other kivrei tzaddikim across North America contact, via email: lizensk12@yahoo.com, 917-854-7387, or www.kevarim.com.

Jan. 5

In 1781, a British naval expedition led by Benedict Arnold burned Richmond, Virginia.

In 1895, French Capt. Alfred Dreyfus, convicted of treason, was publicly stripped of his rank. (He was ultimately vindicated.)

In 1905, the National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals was incorporated in New York State.

In 1933, construction began on the Golden Gate Bridge. (Work was completed four years later.)