This Day in History – 8 Tishrei/September 17

8 Tishrei

In 2937, the dedication festivities celebrating the completion of the Beis Hamikdash built by Shlomo Hamelech commenced. The festivities continued for seven days, including Yom Kippur.

Yahrtzeiten

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

5616/1855, Harav Elazar Nissan Teitelbaum, Rav of Drohbitz, zt”l

5693/1932, Harav Avraham Yehoshua Heschel, Rebbe of Biala, zy”a


5700/1939

Harav Shlomo Bentzion Twersky, Rebbe of Chernobyl, Zy”a

Harav Shlomo Bentzion Twersky was born in 5630/1869. His father was Harav Yeshayahu Meshulam Zusha Twersky, zy”a, son of Harav Aharon of Chernobyl.

Harav Yeshayahu Meshulam Zusha was niftar on 28 Tammuz 5641/1881, leaving his 11-year-old son an orphan.

When he became bar mitzvah, Rav Shlomo Bentzion was appointed Rebbe in his father’s place. He was also appointed Nasi of the Eretz Yisrael tzedakah in Ukraine. Being appointed Rebbe at such a young age caused him to be called “Yanuka” (like the other young Rebbes, the Yanuka of Karlin and the Yanuka of Tolna).

Rav Shlomo Bentzion married Rebbetzin Shifrah, the daughter of Harav Zalman Chodorov of Berditchev, zt”l.

In 5680/1920, after a pogrom in his city, Rav Shlomo Bentzion moved to Brahin and from there to Kiev.

At the invitation of his Chassidim, he moved to America, but life there did not match his high standards and he returned to Europe. In letters to Chassidim in Eretz Yisrael, Rav Shlomo Bentzion writes of his longings to live in the Holy Land, but he never managed to fulfill this desire.

Rav Shlomo Bentzion was niftar on 8 Tishrei 5700/September 21, 1939, in Kiev, at the age of 69.

His sons were Harav Yeshayahu Meshulam Zusha, who was niftar in his father’s lifetime, and Harav Aharon, son-in-law of Rav Gedalyah Moshe of Zhvill, zy”a.

His sons-in-law were Harav Yehoshua Elazar Chodorov, Harav Zev of Kobel, and Harav Yochanan, the son of Harav Avraham Dov of Rachmistrivka, zy”a.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.


Sept. 17

In 1787, the Constitution of the United States was completed and signed by a majority of delegates attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

Trevor Roulstin from Durango, Colo. stands with a sign at Occupy Wall Street Protest.

In 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Poland during World War II, more than two weeks after Nazi Germany had launched its assault.

In 1978, after meeting at Camp David, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed a framework for a peace treaty.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton lifted restrictions on trade, travel and banking imposed on North Korea a half-century earlier, rewarding it for agreeing to curb missile tests.

In 2011, a demonstration calling itself Occupy Wall Street began in New York, prompting similar protests around the U.S. and the world.

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