This Day In History 21 Shevat/February 6

In 5417/1657, Oliver Cromwell, lord protector of England, issued a residence permit to the Jews.

In 5535/1775, the Jewish homes on the outskirts of Warsaw, in a settlement known as “New Jerusalem,” were demolished, after which the Jews were expelled.

Yahrtzeiten

5202/1442, Harav Efraim Alankava, zt”l, one of the Rabbanim in Spain, mechaber of Shaar Kevod Hashem

5356/1596, Harav Yehudah Leib Chaneles of Lublin, zt”l, mechaber of Vayigash Yehudah

5449/1689, Harav Moshe Galanti, zt”l, the Rishon LeTzion of Yerushalayim

5521/1761, Harav Aryeh Yehudah Navon, zt”l, mechaber of Kiryas Melech, son of the Machaneh Efraim

5633/1873, Harav Yaakov Yitzchak Elchonon, Rebbe of Peshischa, zy”a

5648/1888, Harav Yechiel Meir, Rebbe of Gostinin, zy”a

5654/1894, Harav Yaakov Wiedenfeld, Rav of Harmilov, zt”l, the Kochav MiYaakov

5742/1982, Harav Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowitz, Rebbe of Biala, zy”a

5746/1986, Harav Yehoshua Heshel Brim, zt”l, Rosh Yeshivas Tiferes Yisrael, Ruzhin, Yerushalayim

5628/1868, Harav Yitzchak Shapiro, Rebbe of Neshchiz, Zy”a

Harav Yitzchak Shapiro was the youngest son of Harav Mordechai of Neshchiz, zy”a. He was born about 5550/1790.

At the age of just 11 he lost his father, and was brought up in the homes of his brothers, Harav Yosef of Ostila and Harav Yehudah Leib of Kobla, zecher tzaddikim livrachah.

Rav Yitzchak was a talmid of Harav Mordechai Mardosh of Paritzk, zt”l, who wrote a commentary on the Maharam Schiff.

He traveled to the Rebbe Reb Baruch of Mezhibuzh, zy”a, and to the Chozeh of Lublin, zy”a. His main Rebbe was Harav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, zy”a, whose granddaughter he later married.

At a young age Rav Yitzchak was appointed Rebbe, and although he was his father’s youngest son, he was considered the main successor of the Neshchiz dynasty.

In 5597/1837, Rav Yitzchak was appointed Rav of Neshchiz as well.

As Rebbe, Rav Yitzchak was known for his mofsim, and he was held in the highest esteem by the Gedolim of the generation.

Rav Yitzchak was mekarev those who were far from the ways of Yiddishkeit, saying that in his court there is room for all Yidden.

Among Rav Yitzchak’s more famous Chassidim were Harav Elimelech, Rebbe of Grodzisk; Harav Moshe Yosef of Groitza; Harav Yaakov Tzvi, Rebbe of Porisov; Harav Yehoshua of Sosnovtza; Harav Baruch Shapira, Rav of Stutchin; and Harav Yosef, Rebbe of Radvill, zecher tzaddikim livrachah.

Rav Yitzchak Shapiro was niftar on 21 Shevat 5628/1868, and was buried near the kever of his father.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Feb. 6

In 1778, during the American Revolutionary War, the United States won official recognition and military support from France with the signing of a Treaty of Alliance in Paris.

In 1788, Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

In 1933, the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the so-called “lame duck” amendment, was proclaimed in effect by Secretary of State Henry Stimson.

In 1998, President Bill Clinton signed a bill changing the name of Washington National Airport to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.