This Day In History – 24 Sivan/June 7

24 Sivan

Yahrtzeiten

5586/1826, Harav Shmuel Margulies of Stanov, zt”l

5642/1882, Harav Yaakov Yitzchok, Rebbe of Blendov, zy”a

5687/1927, Harav Massoud HaKohen Alchadad, zt”l, mechaber of Koach Maasov and Bircas Kohen

5682/1922

Harav Yisrael Chaim Friedman of Rakov, the Likutei Mahariach, zt”l

Harav Yisrael Chaim was born in 5612/1852 to Harav Yehudah Friedman. Rav Yisrael Chaim was the son-in-law of Harav Menachem Zev Weissberger, zt”l, Rav of Turkani.

Rav Yisrael Chaim was a very close talmid of the Yetev Lev, Harav Yekusiel Yehudah of Sighet, zy”a; and under his guidance, he learned Torah and Chassidus.

Rav Yisrael Chaim served as Rav in Rakov and was a well-known figure in pre-war Europe, especially after the emergence of his treasured sefer, Likutei Mahariach. He was known for his tzidkus and chassidus, as well as his erudition in all parts of Torah.

His sefer, Likutei Mahariach, is based on the daily routine — hanhagos haadam and seder ha’tefillah. He cites sources for various minhagim bederech hachassidus, and relates many things he saw and heard from his Rebbes, especially the Yetev Lev.

He was niftar at the age of seventy on 24 Sivan 5682/1922. The sefer Likutei Maharich was reprinted by Feldheim Publishers in 5763/2003, with new material from kisvei yad.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

June 7

In 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia offered a resolution to the Continental Congress stating, “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.”

In 1948, the communists completed their takeover of Czechoslovakia with the resignation of President Edvard Benes.

In 1981, Israeli military planes destroyed a nuclear power plant in Iraq, a facility the Israelis charged could have been used to make nuclear weapons.

In 1993, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious groups could sometimes meet on school property after hours.