This Day In History 22 Teves/January 9

In 5383/1622, Prague Jews celebrate Purim Forhangen — Purim of the Curtains – in commemoration of the miraculous salvation of the Jewish ghetto after the head of the community was charged with stealing the governor’s priceless curtains.

In 5558/1798, anti-Jewish riots erupted in Ancona, Italy, a day after a “local” Purim that had been celebrated since 5451/1691. Roman mobs attempted to set fire to the ghetto and to sack it.

In 5721/1961, 43 Jews on the ship Egoz lost their lives when they tried to help Jews escape from Morocco to ascend to Eretz Yisrael, Hy”d. In 5753/1993, the bodies of the victims of the Egoz were retrieved and brought to Eretz Yisrael for burial.

Yahrtzeiten

5450/1690, Harav Hillel Hertz, zt”l, mechaber of Beis Hillel

5587/1827, Harav Yozpe Stern of Zolkov, zt”l, mechaber of Yad Yosef

5587/1827, Harav Shlomo Rebbe of Strelisk, zt”l

5644/1884, Harav Shmuel Heller, zt”l, Rav of Tzefas

5718/1958, Harav Shalom Moskowitz, zt”l, the Shotzer Rebbe

5674/1914, Harav Avraham Eiger, zt”l, the Shevet Mi’Yehudah of Lublin

5581/1820, Harav Avraham Titkin, Zt”l, Rav of Breslau and Mechaber Of Pesach Habayis

Born in Schwerzentz, Harav Avraham Tiktin was the son of Harav Gedalia, zt”l.

When he was just seven years old his father was niftar; he was brought up by his brother-in-law Harav Mordechai, zt”l, Rav in Gridtz.

In 5570/1810, Reb Avraham became Rav in Galona. Later, in 5574/1814, he was appointed Rav of Breslau and environs.

Reb Avraham, a gaon in Torah, was also renowned for his tzidkus.

With his son, Harav Shlomo Zalman, zt”l, he waged war against those who wished to uproot Yiddishkeit in Germany, and was victorious.

Reb Avraham authored over 20 works on Gemara, Halachah, Aggadah, Rambam, and much more. Sadly, only his sefarim on Choshen Mishpat, Pesach Habayis, Ginas Bisan and Pinos Habayis, were published.

Reb Avraham was also a mekubal.

He was niftar on 22 Teves 5581/1721 and was succeeded as Rav of Breslau by his son Harav Shlomo Zalman.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah

Jan. 9

In 1788, Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

In 1793, Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard, using a hot-air balloon, flew from Philadelphia to Woodbury, New Jersey.

In 1945, during World War II, American forces began landing on the shores of Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines as the Battle of Luzon got underway, resulting in an Allied victory over Imperial Japanese forces.

In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in his State of the Union address to Congress, warned of the threat of Communist imperialism.