This Day In History 28 Adar/March 15

Today is a Yom Tov, as cited in Megillas Taanis. On this date the harsh decrees of the Yevanim that forbade Torah study and the observance of milah and Shabbos were annulled through the wisdom of Rabi Yehuda ben Shamua and his colleagues, who beseeched the authorities night after night until the decree was cancelled.

In 5037/1277, the Jews of Prussia were granted rights, which eased their plight somewhat.

In 5284/1524, the wicked ruler of Egypt Ahmed Pasha decreed the extermination of the entire Jewish community, but miraculously he was killed. In commemoration of the great miracle, this day was observed annually as “Purim of Cairo.”

Yahrtzeiten

5567/1807, Harav Shmuel Kelen of Boskowitz, zt”l, the Machatzis Hashekel

5581/1821, Harav Shlomo Yurgerbar of Vilna, zt”l, mechaber of Be’er Sheva

5621/1861, Harav Yaakov Bendetman, zt”l, Rav of Boisk

5636/1876, Harav Avraham Shag, zt”l, mechaber of Ohel Avraham

5676/1916, Harav Mordechai Weitsel-Rosenblatt, zt”l, Rav of Slonim

5739/1979, Harav Asher Meir Shulman, zt”l, Rosh Yeshivas Rashbi

5746/1986, Harav Mordechai Chevroni, zt”l, Rosh Yeshivas Chevron (Adar I)

5430/1670, Harav Moshe Shimon Bachrach, Zt”l, Mechaber of Chut Hashani

Harav Moshe Shimon Bachrach, son of Rav Shmuel, was born in Cologne, Germany, in 5360/1600. An outstanding talmid chacham, he was known for his fiery drashos.

Rav Moshe Shimon served as Rav in Geding and Leipnik. In 5604/1644 he was appointed Maggid in Prague. During the French War he was captured and jailed, but thanks to the intervention of some of his acquaintances he was set free.

From Prague, Rav Moshe Shimon moved to Worms, where he served as Rav and Rosh Yeshivah. He founded a yeshivah and taught multitudes of talmidim. He was among those who disagreed with the shitas halimmud of pilpul.

Rav Moshe Shimon was also a paytan; he wrote a Selichah for Shivah Asar B’Tammuz.

He left many sefarim in all facets of Torah, of which She’eilos u’Teshuvos Chut Hashani was printed.

He was niftar on 28 Adar 5430/1670 at the age of 70.

His son was the famous Harav Chaim Yair Bachrach, zt”l, author of She’eilos u’Teshuvos Chavos Yair.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

March 15

In 1493, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus arrived back in the Spanish harbor of Palos de la Frontera, two months after concluding his first voyage to the Western Hemisphere.

In 1820, Maine became the 23rd state.

In 1892, New York State unveiled the new automatic ballot-voting machine.

In 1892, Jesse W. Reno patented the Reno Inclined Elevator. It was the first escalator.

In 1937, America’s first hospital blood bank was opened at Cook County Hospital in Illinois.

In 1944, during World War II, Allied bombers again raided German-held Monte Cassino.