This Day In History 8 Shevat/January 24

In 2516/1245 B.C.E., the last of the Zekeinim, who continued the chain of the mesorah, were niftar. Today is a taanis tzaddikim commemorating that event. According to some, this took place on 5 Shevat. (See Shulchan Aruch 580:2 and commentaries.) According to other opinions, this occurred 17 years later in 2533/1228 B.C.E. (See Shabbos 105b and Seder Hadoros under Yehoshua.)

In 5108/1348, Jews of Colmar, France, were arrested in response to a libelous accusation that they had poisoned a well. They were burned al kiddush Hashem several months later.

In 5729/1969, nine Jews were publicly executed al kiddush Hashem in Damascus, Syria.

Yahrtzeiten

5574/1814, Harav Tzvi of Butchatch, zt”l, mechaber of Neta Shaashuim

5633/1873, Harav Shmuel of Shinova, zt”l, mechaber of Ramasayim Tzofim

5738/1978, Harav Yosef Meir Kahana, zy”a, the Spinka Rebbe of Yerushalayim

5590/1830, Harav Yitzchak Teib of Tunis, Zt”l, the Erech Hashulchan

Harav Yitzchak Teib was born in approximately 5513/1753. At a young age he was orphaned of his father, Rav Binyamin. He was then brought up by his mother, who dedicated herself to his chinuch and proper upbringing. Unfortunately, she also passed away, leaving young Yitzchak bereft of both parents.

He received his main Torah education and derech halimud from Harav Yosef Zarka, zt”l, whom he held as his Rebbi muvhak.

As a bachur, Rav Yitzchak devoted himself to learning in isolation, keeping himself out of the limelight. Once, when he was learning in the main shul, one of the wealthy members of the community saw him learning, and upon realizing the great potential of this young bachur, undertook to fully support him.

When the Rav of Tunis, Harav Shlomo Alfasi, zt”l, noted the excellence of Rav Yitzchak, he appointed him to serve as a Dayan on the city’s beis din.

Rav Yitzchak served as Rav in Tunis for nearly 40 years, and in 5578/1818, he was appointed Av Beis Din.

Although he was blind in one eye, Rav Yitzchak was noted for his outstanding hasmadah.

He is best known for the Erech Hashulchan, his six-volume work on Shulchan Aruch.

Rav Yitzchak also wrote Vavei Haamudim, on the Yereim; Chukas Hapesach, on hilchos Pesach; Sefer Hazikaron on Shas; Vayizra Yitzchak, his chiddushim on the Torah; and Shitah Sheleimah, on Bava Metzia.

In 5589/1829, Rav Yitzchak’s eldest son, Rav Yosef, was niftar. Rav Yitzchak took his passing very much to heart and fell ill; he was niftar on 8 Shevat 5590/1830.

Rav Yitzchak was buried in the Alkadimah cemetery in Tunis. In 5720/1960, the cemetery was dug up and the remains were all reinterred in the Burgel cemetery.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

Jan. 24

In 1848, James W. Marshall discovered a gold nugget at Sutter’s Mill in northern California, a discovery that led to the gold rush of ’49.

In 1942, the Roberts Commission placed much of the blame for America’s lack of preparedness for Imperial Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on Rear Adm. Husband E. Kimmel and Lt. Gen. Walter C. Short, the Navy and Army commanders.

In 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill concluded a wartime conference in Casablanca, Morocco.

In 2003, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security began operations under Tom Ridge.