This Day in History – 6 Adar/February 25

6 Adar

In 2369/1394 B.C.E., [as recorded in Yalkut Shimoni] Moshe Rabbeinu completed Mishneh Torah and was told by Hashem that his petirah was near.

In 5109/1348, a plague killed hundreds of Jews in the esteemed kehillah of Wermeiza (Worms), Germany.

In 5242/1482, the first printed edition of the entire Chumash with Targum Onkelos and Rashi was published in Bologna, Italy.

5695/ 1935

Harav Chanoch Tzvi Hakohen Levin of Bendin, zy”a

Harav Chanoch Tzvi was born in Malenitz on 7 Kislev 5631/1870. His father was Harav Pinchas Yaakov Levin of Malenitz. His mother, Rebbetzin Teltza, was the daughter of Harav Tzvi Hirsch Tomashover. He possessed an extremely sharp mind and, at a young age, was known as an iluy. But instead of sending his son away from home to study, his father hired melamdim for him. Reb Chanoch Tzvi excelled greatly in Torah and yirah, and even as a very young child he worried about the less fortunate and the needy.

At the time of his bar mitzvah, Reb Chanoch Tzvi became a chassan to Rebbetzin Feige, the daughter of the Sfas Emes. The chasunah was held in Gur, where he settled. He remained in Gur until the outbreak of World War I, when he fled to Warsaw.

In 5680/1920, he was invited to become Rav of Bendin. Reb Chanoch Tzvi’s middos tovos were legendary.”

Reb Chanoch Tzvi was a staunch supporter of Agudas Yisrael. He participated in its conventions and committees and was appointed to the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, where he was a principal speaker. On Shabbos night, 6 Adar Rishon 5695/1935, after the seudah, those around him heard him say, “Ribbono shel Olam, I am ready. If this is Your will, please let it be as You wish.” With these words, his neshamah departed. Two of his sons survived the Holocaust: Harav Yitzchok Meir, son-in-law of the Imrei Emes of Gur, and Harav Pinchos Yaakov, who was among the founders of the Bais Yaakov movement in Eretz Yisrael.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Feb. 25

In 1901, United States Steel Corp. was incorporated by J.P. Morgan.

In 1913, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving Congress the power to levy and collect income taxes, was declared in effect by Secretary of State Philander Chase Knox.

In 1943, Allied troops reoccupied the Kasserine Pass after clashing with German troops during World War II.

In 1986, President Ferdinand Marcos fled the Philippines after 20 years of rule in the wake of a tainted election; Corazon Aquino assumed the presidency.

In 1991, during the Gulf War, 28 Americans were killed when an Iraqi Scud missile hit a U.S. barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.