This Day in History – 18 Teves/December 26

In 4231/470, Rav Huna bar Mar Zutra, the head of Babylonian Jewry (Reish Galusa), and Rav Mesharshiya bar Pekod were arrested by the Persian authorities and killed al kiddush Hashem. Ravna Ameimar bar Mar Yanuka was also arrested; he was killed two months later. These events led to the demise of the Rabbanan Svora’i (who succeeded the Amora’im in leading Babylonian Jewry), and eventually to the decline of Torah in Bavel.

In 5707/1947, two ships loaded with Jewish Holocaust survivors were stopped by the British; their passengers were taken to Cyprus. Only two years later, to the day, did the British announce their intention to release the Cyprus internees.

Yahrtzeiten

5610/1849, Harav Tzvi Elimelech Shapiro, Rebbe of Dinov, zy”a, the Bnei Yissachar

5676/1915, Harav Chaim Shmuel Horowitz of Chentchin, zy”a

5710/1950, Harav Moshe Chalfon, zt”l, of Djerba, Tunisia, mechaber of Sho’el Venishal and Bris Kehunah

5626/1866, Harav Moshe of Korestchov, Zy”a

Harav Moshe of Korestchov was the son of Harav Mordechai, the Chernobyler Maggid, zy”a; his mother was the daughter of Harav Aharon Hagadol of Karlin, zy”a.

Rav Moshe basked in the exalted atmosphere of his father’s court, where he acquired great madreigos in avodas Hashem. He married the daughter of Harav Tzvi Aryeh Landau of Malik, zt”l. In his second marriage he married Rebbetzin Chanah, daughter of Harav Yaakov Yosef of Ostraha, zt”l.

Upon his father’s petirah, he initially refused to lead a kehillah. Rav Moshe was known for his profound humility and pashtus. Harav Yochanan of Rachmastrivka, zy”a, his brother, related the following anecdote which illustrates the humility of these great tzaddikim:

When the Maggid of Chernobyl was niftar, his sons gathered to divide his spiritual inheritance. One took his kind heart, another took his sharp mind, and so on. Rav Yochanan wanted to take his father’s gornisht, meaning his nothingness, i.e. his father’s deep humility. But when his brother, Harav Moshe of Korestchov, zy”a, took the gornisht, Rav Yochanan was left with gor gornisht, absolutely nothing, and he was pleased.

Once, two Chassidim came to him for a brachah and the Rebbe blessed both of them. One experienced a yeshuah, while the other, unfortunately, did not. The Chassid came to the Rebbe to inquire why his friend had been helped while his tzarah remained.

The Rebbe replied, “The first Chassid answered ‘Amen’ after my brachah, thereby displaying emunah that it would come true; you, however, did not say ‘Amen.’”

Rav Moshe was niftar in Korestchov in 5626/1866 and was buried there.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Dec. 26

In 1799, former President George Washington was eulogized by Col. Henry Lee as “first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

In 1917, during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation authorizing the government to take over operation of the nation’s railroads.

In 1944, during the World War II Battle of the Bulge, the embattled U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium, was relieved by units of the 4th Armored Division.

In 1947, heavy snow blanketed the Northeast, burying New York City under 26.4 inches of snow in 16 hours. The severe weather was blamed for some 80 deaths.