This Day in History – 22 Shevat/January 28

22 Shevat

In 3801, Gaius Caligua (Geskeleges) — a Roman Emperor, was killed, and Shimon Hatzaddik, the Kohen Gadol, heard a bas kol pronouncing the termination of his intention to profane the Beis Hamikdash with sculptures of idols. The day is mentioned in Megillas Ta’anis to be observed as a Yom Tov.

In 5701/1941, the Nazis raided the Jewish community of Amsterdam and detained 429 young Jews for deportation.


Yahrtzeiten

5619/1859, Harav Menachem Mendel Morgenstern, zy”a, the Kotzker Rebbe

5648/1888, Harav Yehuda Aryeh Leib Eiger of Lublin, zy”a, the Toras Emes

5660/1900, Harav Yehudah Leibish Landau of Sadigura, zt”l, mechaber of Yad Yehudah

5661/1901, Harav Yitzchok Chiyus of Brod, zt”l

5753/1993, Harav Yehuda Zev Segal, zt”l, the Manchester Rosh Yeshivah


5648/1888

Harav Yehudah Leib Eiger, Zy”a, the Toras Emes of Lublin

Harav Yehudah Leib Eiger was the son of Harav Shlomo Eiger, zt”l, Rav of Posen, and grandson of the famous Harav Akiva Eiger, zt”l. He was born in Warsaw in 5576/1816. He was named after his uncle, Rav Yehudah Leib Eiger of Rottdam, son of the first Rav Akiva Eiger.

In his youth, he learned under Harav Yitzchok Meir Alter, zy”a, later known as the Chiddushei Harim, in his yeshivah in Warsaw where there were outstanding lamdanim. When his father saw that the Chiddushei Harim was attracting the young Leibele to the ways of Chassidus, he transferred him to the yeshivah of Harav Mordechai Greenbaum, zt”l. From there, Rav Leibele was sent by his father to Posen, the city of his grandfather Harav Akiva Eiger, where Chassidus was not yet a forceful movement.

When he came of age, Rav Leibele married the daughter of Reb Ezriel Meir Gardstein, one of the affluent Jews in Lublin, a metropolis of Chassidus, and settled there.

Rav Leibele eventually traveled to Kotzk where he was welcomed by the Rebbe. Harav Mordechai Yosef Leiner, zy”a, the Mei Hashiloach, became his mentor.

Rav Leibele’s father-in-law withdrew his support after he joined the ways of Chassidus. Even his father Rav Shlomo came to Kotzk to convince him to return home. When the Rebbe himself asked Rav Leibele to return to Lublin, he did so.

After 5600/1839, when Harav Mordechai Yosef opened his own court in Tomashov and later in Izhbitza, Rav Leibele joined him.

With the petirah of Rav Mordechai Yosef, on 7 Teves 5614/1854, his son Rav Yaakov became Rebbe; a large group gathered around Rav Leibele. He held court in Lublin.

His ways were similar to Kotzk, such as long preparations before davening. But, unlike the davening in Kotzk and Izhbitza, his davening was also lengthy and emotional.

Reb Leibele was niftar on 22 Shevat 5648/1888.

After his petirah, the Chassidus was split. Some followed his son Harav Avraham and others chose Harav Tzaddok Hakohen.

His sefarim are Toras Emes and Imrei Emes.

Rav Leibele had another son, Harav Shlomo Meir of Berditchev, who didn’t take up the mantle of leadership. Rav Leibele’s sons-in-law were Harav Yisrael Zeitman, the Ezras Yisrael, and Harav Nachman Rokach of Yassi.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.


Jan. 28

In 1911, the notorious Hope Diamond was sold by jeweler Pierre Cartier to socialites Edward and Evalyn McLean of Washington, D.C., for $180,000.

In 1915, the United States Coast Guard was created as President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill merging the Life-Saving Service and Revenue Cutter Service.

In 1916, Louis D. Brandeis was nominated by President Woodrow Wilson to the Supreme Court; Brandeis became the court’s first Jewish member.

In 1973, a cease-fire officially went into effect in the Vietnam War, a day after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords by the United States, North Vietnam and South Vietnam.

In 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, killing all seven crew members, including schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe.

To Read The Full Story

Are you already a subscriber?
Click to log in!