This Day in History – 7 Tishrei/October 1

In 2449/1313 B.C.E.,Hashem decreed that the the Dor Hamidbar should die in the wilderness because of the chet ha’egel. A taanis tzaddikim commemorates the event (Orach Chaim 580:2). According to some (Kol Bo and others), the event took place one day earlier, on 6 Tishrei.

In 5700/1939, Germany occupied Lukow, Poland, killing many Jews. Hy”d.

Yahrtzeiten

2312/1450 B.C.E., Zevulun ben Yaakov Avinu, zt”l. He was also born on this day.

5497/1736, Harav Dovid Oppenheim, zt”l, Rav of Nikolsburg and Prague

5612/1851, Harav Nachum of Makarov, zt”l, son of Harav Mordechai of Chernobyl

5573/1812, Harav Yitzchak Michoel Pintzo of Italy, zt”l, mechaber of Pri Yitzchak

5704/1943, Harav Yitzchak Eizik Friedman, zt”l, mechaber of Nachlas Yitzchak

5766/2005, Harav Binyamin Zeilberger, zt”l, Rosh Yeshivah, Yeshivas Beis Hatalmud

5593/1832, Harav Noach of Lechovitz, zy”a

Harav Noach of Lechovitz was the son of Harav Mordechai, the founder of the Lechovitzer dynasty. He was born in 5534/1774.

He was the talmid of his father and also of Harav Baruch of Mezhibuzh. Following the petirah of his father in 5570/1810, the Chassidim appointed Reb Noach as his father’s successor, despite being just 36 years old. Although the Chassidim accepted him, Reb Noach refused to serve, saying that he felt that the elder and leading talmid of his father, Harav Michel of Lechovitz, should be the new Rebbe. Finally, Reb Noach did agree to become Rebbe, and many flocked to his court.

Although Reb Noach didn’t write down his divrei Torah, they were recorded by the Slonimer Rebbe, the Nesivos Shalom, and printed as Toras Avos. In the sefer were also divrei Torah of other Rebbes of the Lechovitz dynasty.

Reb Noach was niftar on 7 Tishrei 5593/1832 at the age of 68.

As Reb Noach had no sons, his Chassidim separated after his petirah. Most went to his talmid, Rav Moshe of Kobrin; some to his son-in-law, Harav Mordechai; and some to his nephew, Harav Shlomo Chaim of Koidenov.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Oct. 1

In 1885, special delivery mail service began in the United States.

In 1908, Henry Ford introduced his Model T automobile to the market.

In 1939, Winston Churchill described Russia as “a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma” during a radio address on the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

In 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China during a ceremony in Beijing.

In 1949, a 42-day strike by the United Steelworkers of America began over the issue of retirement benefits.

In 1957, the motto “In G-d We Trust” began appearing on U.S. paper currency.