This Day in History – 24 Adar II/March 26

24 Adar II

Yahrtzeiten

5285/1525, Harav Yitzchak Eizik Margulies of Prague, zt”l

5521/1761, Harav Betzalel Yair Danziger of Lodz, zt”l

5604/1844, Harav Binyamin Diskin of Horodna and Vilna, zt”l

5664/1904, Harav Yitzchak of Alesk, zt”l

5687/1927, Harav Shlomo Elyashiv, zt”l, mechaber of Leshem Shevo V’achlamah

5701/1941, Harav Chaim Asher Finkler of Radoshitz, zt”l

5736/1976, Harav Yehoshua Menachem Ahrenberg, zt”l, mechaber of Teshuvos Dvar Yehoshua (Adar II)

In 4907/1147, the Jews of Wurtzburg were massacred by the Crusaders. Hy”d.

In 5211/1451, the pope issued a “bull” banning all social contact between Christians and Jews.

In 5263/1503, the Jews of Lithuania were granted permission to return to the country after an eight-year exile.

In 5577/1817, Czar Alexander I of Russia declared the Blood Libel — the infamous accusation that Jews murdered Christian children to use their blood in the baking of matzah for Passover — to be false. (Nevertheless, nearly 100 years later the accusation was officially leveled against Mendel Beilis in Kiev.)

In 5646/1886, the first organized Arab assault on a Jewish settlement — Petach Tikva — took place.

In 5678/1918, Jews of Gluchor were massacred by a Ukrainian mob.

In 5699/1939, German troops marched into Prague.

In 5704/1944, Germany occupied Hungary.

5700/1940

Harav Yitzchak Horowitz of Stutchin, zt”l

Harav Yitzchak Horowitz was born in Dzikov on 4 Teves 5622/1861. His father, Harav Moshe of Rozvadov, was a descendant of the Ropshitz dynasty. His mother was the daughter of Harav Yekusiel Yehudah Teitelbaum, the Yetev Lev.

At only 11 years of age, Harav Yitzchak had memorized the entire Noam Elimelech.

He married the daughter of Harav Menachem Mendel Eichenstein, the youngest son of Harav Yitzchak Eizik of Ziditchov. After her passing he married the daughter of Harav Yoel Hirshfeld.

At age 22, Reb Yitzchak was appointed Rav in Stutchin, and he is called by the name of this town.

Following the petirah of his father on 10 Sivan 5654/1894, Reb Yitzchak was named one of his successors, holding court in Stutchin.

During World War I he fled to Vienna and from there to Tarnow, where he re-established his court and beis medrash.

Many Chassidim flocked to his court. In his day, the Chassidus of Stutchin was one of the most prominent in Galicia. Although he did not take part in public affairs, he was revered by all.

In his later years he often spoke of the imminent Geulah and would hint at the coming of Moshiach.

Reb Yitzchak was niftar on 24 Adar 5700/1940, in Sanok, while fleeing from the Nazis. He was 79.

His son was Harav Yehudah Horowitz of New York. His sons-in-law were Harav Alter Meir of Stutchin, Harav Yisrael Yosef of Riglitz and Harav Naftali Horowitz of Shendishov.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

March 26

In 1812, an earthquake devastated Caracas, Venezuela, causing an estimated 26,000 deaths, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

In 1958, the U.S. Army launched America’s third successful satellite, Explorer 3.

In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Baker v. Carr, gave federal courts the power to order reapportionment of states’ legislative districts.

In 1979, a peace treaty was signed by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and witnessed by President Jimmy Carter at the White House.

In 1982, groundbreaking ceremonies took place in Washington D.C., for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.