This Day in History – 26 Av/August 22

In 5569/1809, a group of 70 “perushim,” talmidim of the Vilna Gaon, arrived in Eretz Yisrael. The group, led by Harav Yisrael of Shklov, zt”l, experienced many hard times.

In 5680/1920, the Turkish government renounced its sovereignty over Eretz Yisrael and recognized the British Mandate.

In 5702/1942, 10,000 Jews were sent from the ghetto of Borislav, Ukraine, to Belsen, in the first mass deportation of Jews to the gas chambers, Hy”d.


 

Yahrtzeiten

5714/1954, Harav Meir Ashkenazy, zt”l, Rav of Shanghai

5732/1972, Harav Shlomo Chaim Friedman of Sadigura, zt”l

5739/1979, Harav Yoel Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe, zt”l


 

5649/1889

Harav Noach Naftali of Kobrin, zt”l

Reb Noach Naftali, born in 5596/1836, was the son of Reb Yisrael Yaakov, who was the son of the famed Reb Moshe of Kobrin. He was the son-in-law of his uncle, Reb Baruch Chaim Levin, a son-in-law of Reb Moshe of Kobrin.

Following the petirah of his grandfather, Reb Moshe of Kobrin, on 29 Nisan 5618/1858, Reb Noach Naftali was appointed Rebbe by a group of his grandfather’s chassidim. (Most of the chassidim accepted Reb Avraham of Slonim as their Rebbe.)

Reb Noach Naftali was known as an outstanding talmid chacham. His appearance was regal.

On 26 Av 5649/1889, at the age of 63, Reb Noach Naftali was niftar in Komin while cutting the bread at his table.

His sons, Reb Dovid Shlomo of Kobrin and Reb Aharon Levi of Diamatshcve, succeeded him as Rebbe.

Many of Reb Noach Naftali’s divrei Torah were printed in the sefer of his grandfather, Amaros Tehoros, under the title Maamarim Tehorim.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.


 

Postcard of John Fitch, Inventor of the Steamboat.
Postcard of John Fitch, Inventor of the Steamboat.

August 22

In 1485, England’s King Richard III was killed in the Battle of Bosworth Field, effectively ending the War of the Roses.

In 1787, inventor John Fitch demonstrated his steamboat on the Delaware River to delegates from the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

In 1846, Gen. Stephen W. Kearny proclaimed all of New Mexico a territory of the United States.

In 1910, Japan annexed Korea, which remained under Japanese control until the end of World War II.

In 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war against Belgium.

In 1922, Irish revolutionary Michael Collins was shot to death, apparently by Irish Republican Army members opposed to the Anglo-Irish Treaty that Collins had co-signed.

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon were nominated for second terms in office by the Republican National Convention in San Francisco.

In 1962, French President Charles de Gaulle survived an attempt on his life in suburban Paris.

In 1972, President Richard Nixon was nominated for a second term of office by the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach.

In 1989, Black Panthers co-founder Huey P. Newton was shot to death in Oakland, California. (Gunman Tyrone Robinson was later sentenced to 32 years to life in prison.)

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