This day in History – 5 Elul/September 5

5 Elul

In 5537/1777, the chassidic aliyah led by Harav Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, Harav Avraham of Kalisk and Harav Yisrael of Polotzk, zy”a, reached Eretz Yisrael.

Yahrtzeiten

5353/1593, Harav Sinai Loewi, zt”l, Rav of Nikolsburg

5501/1741, Harav Ephraim of Radish, zt”l, grandson of the Maginei Shlomo

5513/1753, Harav Simchah of Horodne, zt”l, Rav of Nashoviz

5597/1837, Harav Kalman, the “Chassid of Warsaw,” zt”l

5608/1848, Harav Elazar Charlap, zt”l, Rav of Mezhritch

5678/1918, Harav Dovid Tzvi Shlomo Biderman, Rebbe of Lelov-Yerushalayim, zt”l

5684/1924, Harav Nosson Levin, zt”l, mechaber of She’eilos U’Teshuvos Beis Nadiv

5690/1930, Harav Menachem Nosson Auerbach, zt”l, mechaber of Orach Ne’eman

5679/1919

Harav Shlomo Shtentzil, Zt”l, Rav of Sosnovtzva

Harav Shlomo Shtentzil was born on 25 Av 5644/1884 in Tshelodz. His father was Rav Chaim Dov.

At the age of 11 he learned under Harav Efraim Tzvi Einhorn, zt”l, Rav of Amstov, and later under Harav Yaakov Yosef Rabinowitz, zt”l, Rav of Klobitzik, who regarded him highly. He continued on to the yeshivah of the Avnei Nezer of Sochatchov, zy”a.

A Radomsker Chassid like his father, Rav Shlomo traveled to the Radomsker Rebbe, zy”a, Harav Shlomo Chanoch Rabinowitz (the Shivchei Kohen).

Rav Shlomo married in the summer of 5662/1902 at the age of 18. At 21 he was appointed Rav in Tshelodz, where he served for four years. Later he became Rav in Sosnovtza, where he also headed a yeshivah.

Rav Shlomo was renowned for his tremendous hasmadah; he was never seen without a sefer in front of him.

An interesting feature of Rav Shlomo’s avodas Hashem was his daily cheshbon hanefesh. From the time he got married he wrote down each night how many hours he had learned during the day, and whatever he missed from his regular sedarim he would make up on the following days. Reading this journal is a lesson in utilizing one’s every minute. He also recorded the level of his middos day by day.

Rav Shlomo was niftar on 5 Elul 5679/1919, at just 39 years of age. He was survived by his young family and a bereaved father.

Of his many chiddushim the only published work was Koheles Shlomo, on the rules of psak in halachah and other topics. Published after his petirah, it has many warm haskamos as well as an introduction by both Rav Shlomo’s children and his father.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

Sept. 5

In 1864, voters in Louisiana approved a new state constitution abolishing slavery.

In 1882, the nation’s first Labor Day was celebrated with a parade in New York. (Although Labor Day now takes place on the first Monday of September, this first celebration occurred on a Tuesday.)

In 1939, four days after war had broken out in Europe, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation declaring U.S. neutrality.

In 1953, the first privately operated atomic reactor opened in Raleigh, NC.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed legislation making aircraft hijackings a federal crime.