This Day In History 28 Teves/January 26
28 Teves
Yahrtzeiten
5688/1928, Harav Gedaliah Shmelkes of Pshemishel, zt”l
5716/1956, Harav Yerachmiel Eliyahu Botchko, Rosh Yeshivah, Montreux, Switzerland, zt”l
5768/2008, Harav Shmuel Berenbaum, zt”l, Rosh Yeshivah of Yeshivas Mir (Brooklyn)
5618/1858
Harav Avraham Entebi, zt”l, Rav Of Aram Tzova (Aleppo), Syria
Harav Avraham Entebi was born in 5525/1765. His father, Rav Yitzchak, one of the Gedolim of the generation, was a member of the elite group of Rabbanim in Aram Tzova, which included Harav Tzadkah Chutzin, Harav Yehudah Yom Tov Katzin and Harav Yitzchak Brachah, among others.
Rav Avraham was a student of his father.
Harav Chaim Abulafia writes in his haskamah to Rav Avraham’s Yoshev Ohalim that upon his visit to Aram Tzova during the lifetime of Rav Yitzchak, the greatness of Rav Avraham was already apparent. He adds that in his second visit to Aram Tzova many years later (5580/1820), he saw Rav Avraham in full bloom, knowledgeable in all facets of Torah.
Rav Avraham stood out among the many Torah leaders in his generation for the sharpness and clarity of his learning and his psak. Halachic she’eilos were addressed to him from across the Torah world.
Rav Avraham was the Rosh Yeshivah and Rav in Aram Tzova for over 40 years. As Rav, he never feared ruling in favor of the underdog, even against affluent members of the kehillah.
Rav Avraham wrote many sefarim, a number of which were published. These include Yoshev Ohalim on the Torah; Pnei Habayis on the Toras Habayis of the Rashba; Pnei Habayis on the Beis Yosef’s commentary on Choshen Mishpat; She’eilos U’teshuvos Mor v’Ohalos, on the four sections of Shulchan Aruch; Ohel Yesharim; Chochmah U’mussar, his mussar work; and Pnei Ohel Moed on Even Ha’ezer. Many of his other sefarim were never published.
Rav Avraham was niftar on 28 Teves 5618/1858 at 93.
Zecher tzaddik livrachah.
Jan. 26
In 1784, in a letter to his daughter Sarah, Benjamin Franklin expressed unhappiness over the choice of the bald eagle as the symbol of America, and stated his own preference: the turkey.
In 1837, Michigan became the 26th state.
In 1870, Virginia rejoined the Union.
In 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Rocky Mountain National Park Act, which created America’s 10th national park.
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