This Day In History 14 Cheshvan/November 15

In 5380/1619, Jews of Prague miraculously escaped destruction during the Thirty Years’ War. This day was accepted as a fast day, with a festive meal in the evening to commemorate the miracle.

In 5703/1942, Norway’s Jewish men were deported to Auschwitz.

Yahrtzeiten

5300/1539, Harav Yehudah Lowy, zt”l, of Prague, grandfather of the Maharal

5703/1942, Harav Avraham Elimelech Perlow of Karlin, Hy”d

5693/1932, Harav Aharon Weiss of Benedkwits, zy”a, the Midrash Aharon

Harav Aharon Weiss was born on Rosh Chodesh Shevat, 5611/1851. His father was Rav Shmuel Tzvi, Rav in Munkacs, who in his youth traveled to Reb Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov, the Bnei Yissaschar; Reb Yehudah Tzvi of Rozla; and the Sar Shalom of Belz. Later he was a Chassid of Reb Yitzchak Isaac of Ziditchov.

Reb Aharon’s maternal grandfather was Harav Tzvi Hirsh Estreicher of Drohobich, Chassid of the Chozeh of Lublin.

Reb Aharon learned under the tutelage of his father, of his uncle, Rav Yitzchak Eizik of Svalyava, and under his elder brother, Harav Yosef Meir of Spinka, the Imrei Yosef. He was also a talmid of Harav Yitzchak Eizik of Ziditchov.

At the age of 17 he was taken as a chassan by Harav Yehoshua Heshel Hakohen Fried of Kapisch, one of Hungary’s leading Rabbanim.

Rav Aharon was given semichah by the Yetev Lev of Sighet; by Harav Chaim Tzvi Mannheimer, Rav of Ungvar; and by Harav Shlomo Gantzfried, mechaber of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.

At the age of 20, Reb Aharon was appointed Rav of Benedkwits, near the city of Munkacs. He opened a yeshivah there and many local bachurim thronged to him.

With time, Ziditchover Chassidim began to flock to his court, and Rav Aharon became known as a poel yeshuos.

In 5667/1907, Rav Aharon moved his court and yeshivah to the Raswigeff region of Munkacs. He was asked to serve as Dayan in Munkacs, and in 5675/1915 was appointed Rav of the city.

Rav Aharon was niftar on 14 Cheshvan 5693/1932, at the age of 81. He was buried in Munkacs, where an ohel was built on his kever. In 5736/1976, when the local authorities decided to destroy the cemetery, lo aleinu, Rav Aharon and other Rabbanim were re-interred in Krupets.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Nov. 15

In 1777, the Second Continental Congress approved the Articles of Confederation.

In 1806, explorer Zebulon Pike sighted the mountaintop now known as Pikes Peak in present-day Colorado.

In 1889, Brazil was proclaimed a republic when its emperor, Dom Pedro II, was overthrown.

In 1942, the naval Battle of Guadalcanal ended during World War II. The battle ended with a decisive U.S. victory over Japanese forces.