This Day in History – April 1/7 Nissan

7 Nissan

In 2449, the Nasi of Shevet Ephraim, Elishamah ben Amihud, brought his korban.

In 2489, the 30-day period of mourning for Moshe Rabbeinu came to an end. After Hashem told Yehoshua to cross the Jordan River, Yehoshua commanded the officers to prepare the nation for the journey

In 3339, Yechezkel Hanavi received Hashem’s nevuah about the impending demise of the nation of Mitzrayim.

In 5245/1485, Rabbeinu Ovadia Bartenura ascended to Eretz Yisrael. His journey lasted three years.

Yahrtzeiten

5504/1744, Harav Yitzchak of Drohobich, zt”l, father of the Zlotochover Maggid

5430/1670, Harav Pinchas Zelig, zt”l, Rav of Lask and mechaber of Ateres Paz

5644/1884, Harav Arye Leib Yelin of Bialystok, zt”l, mechaber of Yefeh Einayim

5674/1914, Harav Arye Leibush (the second) of Ozhorov, zt”l

7 Nisan 5686/1926

Harav Hillel Klein, zt”l, Rav of Congregation Ohev Tzedek

Rav Hillel Hakohen Klein was born in the town of Bartcka, Hungary in 5609/1849. His father was Harav Zev Tzvi. At the age of eleven he already knew the entire Tanach by heart and was well-versed in Seder Nezikin.

He married Julie Hirsch of Frankfurt-am-Main, daughter of Rabbi Dr. Mendel Hirsch and granddaughter of Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch zt”l.

In 1890, at the behest of Chief Rabbi, Harav Yaakov Joseph, zt”l, Congregation Ohev Tzedek on the Lower East Side invited Rav Klein to become its first full-time Rav, a position that he held for over 35 years. Rav Yaakov Joseph appointed Rav Klein as a Dayan on his Beis Din, where he became his right-hand man.

In his early years in America Rav Klein started the Meleches Hakodesh Society, which improved the level of kashrus and working conditions in the houses of shechitah and the matzah bakeries. Rav Klein co-founded the Agudas Shomrei Shabbos, an effort to further Shabbos awareness and assist Shabbos-observant Jews with employment. Rav Klein fought the Reform movement and the spiritual danger it posed.

Some of Rav Klein’s raised large amounts of money for the Old Yishuv in Eretz Yisrael as well as for the yeshivos in Europe. His organization, the Central Relief Committee aided displaced World War I victims.

Rav Klein passed away on 7 Nissan, 5686/1926, and was buried in Washington Cemetery in Brooklyn. Ironically, Rebbetzin Klein, an eishes chayil in her own right, died the next day of pneumonia, which she contracted while caring for her husband.

Although at the time of his death Rav Klein was the honorary president of the Agudas Harabbonim, president of the newly founded Agudath Israel of America, treasurer of Ezras Torah, nasi of Kolel Shomrei Hachomos, and vice president of the Orthodox Union, he once remarked, “there is but one title that I bear with a conscious pride, and that is Hillel Hakohen.”

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

Directions to the kever:

Washington Cemetery in Brooklyn

1. Enter cemetery from Ocean Parkway service road (at Avenue K)
2. Left on Hyacinth Avenue
3. Right on Lotus Avenue (on foot) to marker 96 (around 300 feet)

April 1

In 1789, the U.S. House of Representatives held its first full meeting in New York; Frederick Muhlenberg of Pennsylvania was elected the first House speaker.

In 1945, American forces launched the amphibious invasion of Okinawa during World War II. (U.S. forces succeeded in capturing the Japanese island on June 22.)

In 1963, New York City’s daily newspapers resumed publishing after settlement was reached in a 114-day strike.

In 1970, President Richard M. Nixon signed a measure banning cigarette advertising on radio and television, to take effect after Jan. 1, 1971.

In 1976, Apple Computer was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.