This day in History – 25 Av/August 26

25 Av

In 5567/1807, many Jews of Copenhagen were killed, Hy”d, when the British bombarded the city during the Anglo-Russian War that raged between 1807 and 1812.

In 5704/1944, the Amsterdam hideout which housed Anne Frank, Hy”d, was discovered by the Nazis.

Yahrtzeiten

5359/1599, Harav Yeshayahu Menachem of Cracow, zt”l, mechaber of Be’urim Kabdu Es Hashem.

5555/1795, Harav Yissochor Dov, zt”l, Rav of Zlotchov, mechaber of
Mevaser Tzedek and Bas Eini

5599/1839, Harav Yaakov Meshulem Orenstein, zt”l, mechaber of Yeshuos Yaakov

5739/1979, Harav Shmuel Baruch Eliezrov, zt”l, mechaber of Dvar Shmuel

5754/1994, Harav Moshe Hager, Rebbe of Antiniya-Bnei Brak, zy”a

5591/1831

Harav Avraham Chaim Horowitz, Rebbe of Linsk, Zy”a

Harav Avraham Chaim Horowitz was the oldest son of Harav Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz, zy”a. He was born in 5549/1789. Rav Avraham Chaim married the daughter of his uncle, Harav Shmuel Shmelke Horowitz, zy”a.

Following the petirah of his father on 11 Iyar 5587/May 8, 1827, Rav Avraham Chaim was appointed Rav and Rebbe in Linsk, the city in which his paternal grandfather, Harav Menachem Mendel, zy”a, had served as Rav. Sadly, Rav Avraham Chaim was Rebbe for just over four years; he was niftar on 25 Av 5591/1831, at the age of 42.

The Sar Shalom of Belz, who held Rav Avraham Chaim in high esteem, would send Chassidim to daven at the kever of Rav Avraham Chaim, saying that, after davening there, “one’s yeshuah is close at hand.”

Rav Avraham Chaim’s son, Harav Menachem Mendel, zy”a, succeeded him as Rebbe in Linsk.

His sons-in-law were: Harav Avigdor Halberstam of Dukla; Harav Meshulam Zalman Yonason Lifshitz of Brigel; Harav Moshe Chaim Efraim, Rav of Blugrad; Harav Yisrael Horowitz, Rav of Barnov; Harav Tzvi Hirsh Hager of Patshinzin; and Harav Mendel Weinfeld of Gorlitz, zechusam yagein aleinu.

Zechuso yagein aleinu.

August 26

In 1883, the island volcano Krakatoa began cataclysmic eruptions, leading to a massive explosion the following day.

In 1910, Thomas Edison demonstrated an improved version of his Kinetophone, a device for showing moving pictures with synchronized sound.

In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing American women’s right to vote, was certified in effect by Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby.

In 1958, Alaskans went to the polls to overwhelmingly vote in favor of statehood.

In 1968, the Democratic National Convention opened in Chicago; the four-day event that resulted in the nomination of Hubert Humphrey was marked by a bloody police crackdown on antiwar protesters in the streets.