This Day In History 3 Shevat/January 19

3 Shevat

In 4762/1002, Jews attending a levayah were attacked in Fostat, Egypt.

Yahrtzeiten

5464/1704, Harav Yosef Rakover, zt”l, Rav of Eibeshitz, mechaber of Mirkeves Hamishnah

5583/1823, Harav Pinchas of Plotzk, zt”l, talmid of the Gra and mechaber of Maggid Tzedek

5625/1865, Harav Moshe Yehudah Leib Silberberg, zt”l, the Zayis Raanan

5666/1906, Harav Yosef Kalisch, Rebbe of Amshinov, zt”l

5351/1591

Harav Yosef Katz, Zt”l, Mechaber of She’eiris Yosef

Harav Yosef Hakohen Katz was born in 5271/1511. His father was Harav Mordechai Gershon, zt”l.

He was a brother-in-law of the Rema, and one of the leading Torah authorities in Poland.

Rav Yosef was Rav and Rosh Yeshivah in Cracow for close to 50 years. There he taught many thousands of talmidim.

Since he was one of the top poskim in his generation, Rav Yosef received many halachic she’eilos from far and near. He was also known for his sharp mind and his astounding memory.

The modesty and humility of Rav Yosef were legendary; these virtues — besides his gadlus in Torah and halachah — were noted on his matzeivah.

He was in correspondence with Gedolim from other countries, notable among them his brother-in-law the Rema, the Maharshal and Maharam Padwa, zecher tzaddikim livrachah.

It is said that Rav Yosef was honored with four crowns; Keser Torah, Keser Kehunah, as he was a Kohen, Keser Gedulah and Keser Shem Tov.

Rav Yosef wrote She’eiris Yosef, his she’eilos u’teshuvos, on all four parts of Shulchan Aruch. To his sefer, Rav Yosef appended his comments on the Mordechai, on Seder Moed and Seder Nezikin, and on Tur Choshen Mishpat. He published his sefer a year before his petirah.

In Chiddushei Anshei Shem on the Mordechai, printed in the standard Shas, some of Rav Yosef’s chiddushim are quoted.

Rav Yosef was niftar on 3 Shevat 5351/1591 in Cracow. He was buried in Cracow.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

Jan. 19

In 1807, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.

In 1861, Georgia became the fifth state to secede from the Union.

In 1883, Thomas Edison’s first village electric lighting system using overhead wires began operation in Roselle, N.J.

In 1915, Germany carried out its first air raid on Britain during World War I as a pair of Zeppelins dropped bombs onto Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn in England.

In 1966, Indira Gandhi was chosen to be prime minister of India by the National Congress party.