This Day in History – 24 Adar/March 1

24 Adar

In 4907/1147, the Jews of Wurtzburg were massacred by the Crusaders, Hy”d.

In 5211/1451, the pope issued a bull banning all social contact between Christians and Jews.

In 5263/1503, the Jews of Lithuania were granted permission to return to the country after an eight-year exile.

In 5577/1817, Czar Alexander I of Russia declared the Blood Libel — the infamous accusation that Jews murdered Christian children to use their blood in the baking of matzah for Pesach — to be false. (Nevertheless, nearly 100 years later, the accusation was officially leveled against Mendel Beilis in Kiev.)

In 5646/1886, the first organized Arab assault on a Jewish settlement, Petach Tikva, took place.

In 5678/1918, Jews of Gluchor were massacred by a Ukrainian mob.

In 5699/1939, German troops marched into Prague.

In 5704/1944, Germany occupied Hungary.

Yahrtzeiten

5285/1525, Harav Yitzchak Eizek Margulies of Prague, zt”l

5521/1761, Harav Betzalel Yair Danziger of Lodz, zt”l

5604/1844, Harav Binyamin Diskin of Horodna and Vilna, zt”l

5664/1904, Harav Yitzchak, Rebbe of Alesk, zy”a

5687/1927, Harav Shlomo Elyashiv, zt”l, mechaber of Leshem Shevo V’achlamah

5700/1940, Harav Yitzchak, Rebbe of Stutchin, zy”a

5736/1976, Harav Yehoshua Menachem Ehrenberg, zt”l, mechaber of Teshuvos Devar Yehoshua

5701/1941

Harav Chaim Asher Finkler, Rebbe of Radoshitz, Zy”a

Harav Chaim Asher Finkler was the son of Harav Eliezer David of Radoshitz, zy”a, and the son-in-law of his uncle, Harav Meir Menachem of Pietrikov, zy”a. Harav Eliezer David and Harav Menachem were both sons of Harav Hillel of Radoshitz, zy”a, who was the son of Harav Yitzchak, zy”a, Rav of Radoshitz. Harav Yitzchak was the son-in-law of Harav Yissachar Ber, zy”a, the Saba Kaddisha of Radoshitz.

Rav Chaim Asher was actively involved in the upkeep of his father’s court, and after Rav Eliezer David was niftar, on 22 Adar 5687/1927, Rav Chaim Asher was appointed Rebbe.

In 5693/1933, Rav Chaim Asher was appointed Rav of the nearby city Volshtzve. Upon the request of the Chassidim in Radoshitz, Rav Chaim Asher would visit them frequently.

Rav Chaim Asher lived a life of kedushah and taharah. He was known for his fasting and other ascetic practices.

Rav Chaim Asher was an outstanding masmid. He did not sleep in a bed, only near his sefer, and slept no more than two hours. At midnight he began his new day of learning by giving a shiur to his talmidim.

He corresponded with leading Gedolim, including the Avnei Nezer, the Maharasham of Brezhan and others. He also headed two yeshivos, in Radoshitz and in Lodz.

Many Rebbes would send their Chassidim to him for yeshuos, for he was also regarded as a baal mofes.

A baal tefillah, Rav Chaim Asher was known for his powerful and emotional voice.

At the outbreak of World War II, Rav Chaim Asher was in Lodz, where many of his Chassidim lived. With great difficulty, he was transferred to Radoshitz and from there to Kielce. In the ghetto in Kielce, Rav Chaim Asher suffered from diabetes and was niftar there on 24 Adar 5701/1941.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

March 1

In 1781, the Continental Congress declared the Articles of Confederation to be in force, following ratification by Maryland.

In 1790, President George Washington signed a measure authorizing the first United States Census.

In 1867, Nebraska became the 37th state as President Andrew Johnson signed a proclamation.

In 1893, inventor Nikola Tesla first publicly demonstrated the radio during a meeting of the National Electric Light Association in St. Louis by transmitting electromagnetic energy without wires.

In 1966, the Soviet space probe Venera 3 impacted the surface of Venus, becoming the first spacecraft to reach another planet; however, Venera was unable to transmit any data, its communications system having failed.