This Day in History – December 11/13 Kislev

In 5522/1761, the Jews of Mogilev perished, victims of mass murder.

Yahrtzeiten

5338/1577, Harav Azariah Min Ha’adumim, zt”l, mechaber of Meor Einayim

5618/1857, Harav Shlomo Zalman Yosef Frankel, Rav of Vyelepol, zt”l

5681/1920, Harav Yisrael Taub, the Divrei Yisrael of Modzhitz, zt”l

5694/1933, Harav Yisrael, Rebbe of Chortkov, zt”l

5618/1857, Harav Shlomo Zalman Yosef Frankel of Vyelepoli, Zt”l

Harav Shlomo Zalman Yosef Frankel was born in 5564/1804. He was a talmid of his father, Harav Avraham, zt”l. He journeyed to Harav Meir of Apta, the Ohr Lashamayim, Harav Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz, and later to the Ropshitzer Rebbe’s son-in-law, Harav Asher Yeshayah, zechusam yagein aleinu.

Harav Shimon of Yaroslav, zy”a, one of the elder and foremost Rebbes of the generation, “anointed” Harav Shlomo Zalman as Rebbe.

Harav Meir of Premishlan, zy”a, publicized the greatness of Harav Shlomo Zalman and his mofsim, for which many traveled to see him. Harav Shlomo Zalman considered doing these mofsim a kiddush Hashem, a way of demonstrating Hashem’s Presence and hashgachah pratis. He wanted to travel from place to place to perform mofsim, but his health did not allow it.

He was close with Harav Yisrael of Ruzhin, zy”a, and the Sar Shalom of Belz, zy”a.

In his last year, Harav Shlomo Zalman gave many clear hints that his end was near. He was niftar on 13 Kislev 5618/1857 in Cracow at the age of fifty-three. His kever is next to that of the Maor Vashemesh.

Harav Shlomo Zalman was survived by his son, Harav Avraham, zy”a, who succeeded him as Rebbe in Vyelepoli.

His sons-in-law were Harav Nosson Nota Dov Lifschitz, a grandson of the Aryeh D’bei Ila’i; Harav Yitzchak Tzvi Hirsh Schiff, Rav in Vyelepoli; and Harav Moshe Thurm, a grandson of Harav Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, zechusam yagein aleinu.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Dec. 11

In 1816, Indiana became the 19th state.

In 1872, America’s first black governor took office when Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback became acting governor of Louisiana.

In 1917, British Gen. Edmund Allenby entered Jerusalem two days after his forces expelled the Ottoman Turks.

In 1936, Britain’s King Edward VIII abdicated the throne so he could marry an American, Wallis Warfield Simpson; his brother, Prince Albert, became King George VI.

In 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States; the U.S. responded in kind.

In 1972, Apollo 17’s lunar module landed on the moon with astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt aboard; they became the last two men to date to step onto the lunar surface.

In 1994, thousands of Russian troops backed by armored columns and jets rolled into the breakaway republic of Chechnya in a bid to restore Moscow’s control over the region.

In 1998, the Mars Climate Orbiter blasted off on a nine-month journey to the red planet. The probe disappeared in September 1999, apparently destroyed.

In 2003, U.S. health officials reported an early flu outbreak had hit all 50 states and was widespread in 24.