This Day In History 22 Cheshvan/November 23

In 5057/1296, Jewish physicians were barred from treating Christians in Sicily.

In 5705/1944, Nazi deportation of Budapest Jews began.


Yahrtzeiten

5398/1637, Harav Shlomo Halevi Charif, zt”l, Rav of Lvov

5417/1656, Harav Moshe Lima, zt”l, mechaber of Chelkas Mechokek

5574/1813, Harav Dovid Shlomo Eibschutz, the Arvei Nachal, zt”l

5687/1926, Harav Yissachar Dov Rokeach, zy”a, the Belzer Rebbe


Shaar blatt of sefer Teshuvos V’chidushei Rosh Barzel.
Shaar blatt of sefer Teshuvos V’chidushei Rosh Barzel.

5579/1818, Harav Ezriel Horowitz, zt”l, Rav of Lublin, the Rosh Habarzel

Harav Ezriel Halevi Horowitz was born in 5507/1747 in Zamutsch. His father was Harav Dov.

Zamutsch was famous for its many talmidei chachamim, but even there the young Ezriel shone, standing out for his sharp mind.

He married the daughter of Rav Binyamin Buska, a leading member of the Zamutsch kehillah.

Reb Ezriel’s first position as Rav was in Krashnick, a small town near Lublin. A few years later (c. 5564/1804), he was appointed to the prestigious post of Rav of Lublin, where he remained to his last day.

Reb Ezriel had a warm heart, but he could also rule with an iron hand. He could not be “bought off” with money; this trait was inscribed on his matzeivah: neki kapayim — his hands were clean. With adequate parnassah, he was able to learn as well as rule the city in ruchniyus and gashmiyus.

He headed a large yeshivah in Lublin, and although busy as Rav, he found time to deliver shiurim in the yeshivah.

Reb Ezriel was called the Rosh Habarzel or Eizener Kop. His chiddushim at times astounded those who heard them. His questions to other Gedolim were often the talk of the Torah world.

Reb Ezriel was niftar on Shabbos 22 Cheshvan 5579/1818, at the age of 62. He was buried in the Lublin cemetery near the kever of Harav Shalom Shachna of Lublin, father-in-law of the Rema.

He was survived by two sons: Harav Dovid and Harav Efraim Fishel.

Sections of his writings were published as Teshuvos v’Chiddushei Rosh Barzel.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.


Nov. 23

In 1765, Frederick County, Maryland, became the first colonial American entity to repudiate the British Stamp Act.

In 1914, the seven-month U.S. military occupation of Veracruz, Mexico, ended.

In 1945, most U.S. wartime rationing of foods, including meat and butter, was set to expire by day’s end.

In 1971, the People’s Republic of China was seated in the U.N. Security Council.

To Read The Full Story

Are you already a subscriber?
Click to log in!