This Day In History 18 Elul/September 21

In 3620/140 B.C.E., Shimon the Chashmona’i was appointed Kohen Gadol and governor of the Jews, marking the beginning of the Chashmona’i dynasty that lasted 206 years, until the destruction of the Second Beis Hamikdash.

In 5458/1698, the Baal Shem Tov was born.

In 5505/1745, the Baal Hatanya was born.

Yahrtzeiten

5369/1609, Harav Yehudah Lowy, the Maharal of Prague, zt”l

5567/1807, Harav Tzvi Hersh of Zamosz, zt”l, mechaber of Tiferes Tzvi

5590/1830, Harav Yosef of Ostillah, zt”l

5649/1889, Harav Ovadiah (Abdallah) Somech, zt”l, leader of Iraqi Jewry

5683/1923, Harav Eliyahu Singer, zt”l, Rav of Kalisch and Peshischa

5373/1613, Harav Yitzchak Chayus, zt”l, Rav of Prague and mechaber Of Api Ravrivi

Harav Yitzchak Chayus, the son of Rav Avraham, was one of the leading poskim of his time.

He served as Rav in the cities Prostitz, Lvov, Cracow, and, finally, Prague, where he settled in 5344/1884.

Rav Yitzchak headed a large yeshivah in Prague, teaching hundreds of talmidim and thus disseminating Torah throughout Klal Yisrael.

His sefer Pnei Yitzchak, a halachic work, includes a compilation of all the halachos in Yoreh De’ah in rhyme form, called Api Ravravi, by which name Rav Yitzchak is known. He also wrote Kiryas Arba.

Rav Yitzchak was niftar on 18 Elul 5373/1613. His three sons were all talmidei chachamim of note: Rav Avraham, the mechaber of Holech Tamim; Rav Eliezer, the grandfather of the Beis Halevi; and Rav Menachem Munish.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

Sept. 21

In 1792, the French National Convention voted to abolish the monarchy.

In 1949, Communist leaders proclaimed the People’s Republic of China.

In 1964, Malta gained independence from Britain.

In 1973, Henry Kissinger was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become the 56th secretary of state. He was the first naturalized citizen to hold this office.