This Day in History – 12 Nisan/April 20

In 2449/1312 B.C.E., the Nasi of Shevet Naftali, Achira ben Einan, brought his korban.

In 3413/347 B.C.E., Ezra Hasofer and his followers departed from the Ahavah River on their way to Yerushalayim.

Yahrtzeiten

5482/1722, Harav Aryeh Leib, Rav of Kovle and Slutzk, zt”l

5625/1865, Harav Shlomo Zalman Ulman, zt”l, mechaber of Yerios Shlomo

5761/2001, Harav Shimshon Dovid Pincus, Rav of Ofakim, zt”l

5622/1862, Harav Shmuel Heschel of Krilovitz, zt”l

Harav Shmuel Heschel was the son of Harav Meshulam Zusha Heschel of Zinkov, who was the grandson of Harav Avraham Yehoshua Heschel, the Ohev Yisrael of Apta, zy”a.

Reb Shmuel married the daughter of Harav Avraham Twersky of Trisk.

Appointed Rebbe during the lifetime of his father, Reb Shmuel held court in Krilovitz, in the Podolya area of Ukraine, at the invitation of the local nobleman, who hoped that a Rebbe’s court would bring an influx of visiting Chassidim and thus increase his income. Reb Shmuel built a large beis medrash, but he didn’t have all that many Chassidim.

Reb Shmuel was niftar during the lifetime of his father, on 12 Nisan 5622/1862, and his younger brother, Harav Yechiel, became Rebbe in Krilovitz in his stead.

Reb Shmuel’s son was Harav Yitzchak Meir, who was the son-in-law of Harav Efraim of Matzov.

His father, Rav Meshulam Zusha, was niftar on 3 Elul 5624/1864, a year and a half after Reb Shmuel’s petirah.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

April 20

In 1792, France declared war on Austria, marking the start of the French Revolutionary Wars.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation admitting West Virginia to the Union, effective in 60 days (June 20, 1863).

In 1945, during World War II, Allied forces took control of the German cities of Nuremberg and Stuttgart.

In 1968, Pierre Elliott Trudeau was sworn in as prime minister of Canada.

In 1972, Apollo 16’s lunar module, carrying astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke Jr., landed on the moon.