This Day In History 29 Av/September 2

Yahrtzeiten

5591/1831, Harav Moshe of Zaloshen, zt”l, mechaber of Mishpat Tzedek

5669/1909, Harav Shmuel Salant, zt”l, Rav of Yerushalayim

5671/1911, Harav Yisrael Shalom Yosef Heschel, zt”l, of Mezhibuzh

5702/1942, Harav Menachem Mendel Alter, Hy”d, Rav of Pabianicz

5705/1945, Harav Avraham Dov of Rachmastrivka, zt”l

5742/1982, Harav Eliezer Zusha Portugal, the Skulener Rebbe, zt”l

5677/1917, Harav Yosef Meir of Machnovka, zt”l

Harav Yosef Meir Twersky was born on 29 Av 5617/1857 in Skver. He was the son of Reb Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Skver.

Reb Yosef Meir married Basya Rivkah Twersky and was the son-in-law of Reb Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl, of the Chernobyler dynasty.

After the petirah of his father in 5646/1886, Reb Yosef Meir was appointed Rebbe in the village of Machnovka in Ukraine.

His court attracted many thousands of Chassidim, and his influence was tremendous. Reb Yosef Meir was revered in his generation. Many tzaddikim said he was worthy of being among the talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov.

Reb Yosef Meir was known as a baki in sifrei Kabbalah. He endured fasts and other self-inflictions.

During World War I, many Yidden found refuge in his beis medrash, despite the mesirus nefesh this demanded of him.

Reb Yosef Meir was niftar on Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul 5677/1917 in Machnovka.

His son Reb Avraham Yehoshua Heshel succeeded him as Rebbe; he later moved to Eretz Yisrael, where he rebuilt the Machnovka court in Bnei Brak.

Reb Yosef Meir’s sons-in-law were Reb Dovid Leib Twersky; Reb Nachum Twersky of Zlotipoli, the son of Rav Dovid of Skver; and Reb Yehoshua Rokeach of Yaroslav.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Sept. 2

In 1666, the Great Fire of London broke out.

In 1789, the United States Treasury Department was established.

In 1901, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt offered the advice, “Speak softly and carry a big stick” in a speech at the Minnesota State Fair.

In 1945, Japan formally surrendered in ceremonies aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, ending World War II.

In 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam an independent republic.