This Day In History 22 Adar/March 9

In 5109/1349, the Jews of Uberlingen, Switzerland, were massacred al kiddush Hashem.

In 5190/1430, a miracle happened in the kehillah of Rome. When the authorities decreed that every Jew must either convert or be killed, an earthquake rocked the city and the decree was annulled.

In 5693/1933, the infamous Dachau concentration camp was established in Germany. The camp was originally designated as a prison camp for political enemies of the Nazi party.

After Kristallnacht, the number of Jews imprisoned there kept growing until over 200,000 victims passed through its gates, most of whom perished. The Nazis built a gas chamber in Dachau, but it was never used. Dachau concentration camp was liberated in April of 1945 by the U.S. Army.

In 5708/1948, 16 Jewish soldiers were lynched by an Arab mob; six of them were brutally beaten to death. Hy”d.

In 5757/1997, seven Jewish students were killed on the border with Jordan. Hy”d.


Yahrtzeiten

5489/1729, Harav Eliyahu of Izmir, zt”l, mechaber of Shevet Mussar

5662/1902, Harav Yaakov, Rebbe of Novominsk, zy”a

5668/1908, Harav Yechiel Mechel Epstein, zt”l, the Aruch Hashulchan

5703/1943, Harav Avraham Dovber Kahana-Shapiro, Rav of Kovno, zt”l

5718/1958, Harav Reuven Grozovsky, zt”l, Rosh Yeshivah, Yeshiva Torah Vodaath

5763/2003, Harav Yisrael Moshe Dushinsky, zt”l, Gaavad of the Eidah Hachareidis of Yerushalayim


5687/1927, Harav Eliezer David Finkler Rebbe of Radoshitz, Zy”a

Harav Eliezer David Finkler was the son of Harav Hillel of Radoshitz, who was the son of Harav Yitzchak, who was, in turn, the son-in-law of Harav Yissachar Ber, the Sabba Kaddisha of Radoshitz, zechusam yagein aleinu.

Following the petirah of his father on 23 Teves 5661/1901, Rav Eliezer David was appointed Rebbe in Radoshitz.

Rav Eliezer David was known as a tzaddik who led an ascetic lifestyle, fasting often.

Reb Eliezer David would spend many long hours davening, standing up all the while.

He was famously known for his mofsim. At times, he would only answer the requests after immersing in the mikveh; some days he would immerse himself dozens of times.

Thousands of petitioners flocked to his court, and many stories are related of the miracles that he worked.

Rav Eliezer David spoke with his Chassidim in Lashon Hakodesh, and on Shabbos he would only converse in that language.

In his later years, Rav Eliezer David was blind. But despite not being physically able to see them, he would recognize anyone who had been in Radoshitz.

Reb Eliezer David was niftar on 22 Adar I 5687/1927, in Lodz. Both Lodz and Radoshitz vied to have Rav Eliezer David buried within their boundaries. The Radoshitz community argued that he had lived there all his life, while Lodz claimed that since he was niftar there, he should be buried there. A din Torah ruled that he should be buried in Lodz.

Rav Eliezer David was succeeded as Rebbe in Radoshitz by his son Harav Chaim Asher, zy”a. His other son, Harav Yisrael Yosef, zy”a, was appointed Rav of Radoshitz. Rav Eliezer David’s son-in-law was Harav Elimelech Yaakov Yitzchak Rabinowitz of Sochdenyov, zy”a.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.


March 9

In 1793, Jean Pierre Blanchard made the first balloon flight in North America. President George Washington witnessed the event.

1820, Congress passed the Land Act, which paved the way for westward expansion of North America.

In 1933, Congress, called into special session by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, began its “hundred days” of enacting New Deal legislation.

In 1975, work began on the Alaskan oil pipeline.

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