This Day in History – 26 Av/August 7

26 Av

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, Sadigura Rebbe, zy”a

5739/1979, Harav Yoel Teitelbaum, the Satmar Rebbe, zy”a

5649/1889

Harav Noach Naftali of Kobrin, Zy”a

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

Following the petirah of his grandfather, Rav Moshe of Kobrin, on 29 Nissan 5618/1858, Rav Noach Naftali was appointed Rebbe by a group of his grandfather’s Chassidim. (Most of the Chassidim accepted Harav Avraham of Slonim, zy”a, as their Rebbe.)

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

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

His sons, Harav Dovid Shlomo of Kobrin, zy”a, and Harav Aharon Levi of Diamatshcve, zy”a, succeeded him as Rebbe.

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

Zechuso yagen aleinu

August 7

In 1782, Gen. George Washington created the Order of the Purple Heart, a decoration to recognize merit in enlisted men and noncommissioned officers.

In 1789, the U.S. Department of War was established by Congress.

In 1959, the United States launched the Explorer 6 satellite, which sent back images of Earth.

In 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution, giving President Lyndon B. Johnson broad powers in dealing with reported North Vietnamese attacks on U.S. forces.