This Day in History – March 26/1 Nisan

The first of Nisan is Rosh Hashanah for melachim and regalim (Rosh Hashanah 2). It is a taanis tzaddikim commemorating the tragic petirah of Nadav and Avihu, as mentioned in Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 180:2).

This is also the first day one may recite the Birkas Ha’ilanos (as mentioned in Brachos 43b).

In the year 1, Adam and Chava were created, according to Rabi Yehoshua.

In 1656, according to Rabi Yehoshua, the earth was finally all dry after the Mabul.

In 2449, Hashem spoke to Moshe and to Aharon in Mitzrayim, instructing them regarding the Jewish calendar: “This month shall be for you the head of months, the first of the months of the year” (Shemos 12:1–2). This was the first mitzvah given to Bnei Yisrael. On that occasion Hashem also commanded them regarding the korban Pesach and the various other observances of the Yom Tov.

In 2450, the Mishkan was completed and Aharon Hakohen performed the avodah of the korbanos for the first time. In honor of the dedication of the Mishkan, the Nasi of each of the 12 tribes brought a korban, each one on his appointed day. On this date was the turn of Nachshon ben Aminadav, Nasi of the tribe of Yehudah.

In 3346, Yechezkel Hanavi received a nevuah about the end of the kingdom of Bavel. (See Yechezkel 29.)

In 3406, Bigsan and Teresh’s plot to assassinate Achashveirosh was uncovered by Mordechai Hatzaddik.

In 3413, Ezra Hasofer and his followers left Bavel for Yerushalayim.

Yahrtzeiten

2450, Nadav and Avihu, two sons of Aharon Hakohen

5559/1799, Harav Moshe of Vitebsk-Teveria, zt”l

According to some, today is also the yahrtzeit of Harav Shmuel Kellin, zt”l, the Machatzis Hashekel. According to another opinion, his yahrtzeit is on 28 Adar.

5566/1806, Harav Yosef Hochgelerenter, zt”l, Rav of Zamoshtz and mechaber of Mishnas Chachamim

5646/1886, Harav Menachem Nachum, the Maggid of Shpikov, zt”l

5652/1892, Harav Elimelech Shapiro, Rebbe of Grodzisk, zt”l

5688/1928, Harav Moshe Yosef Hoffman, zt”l, Dayan of Pupa and mechaber of Mei B’eir Mayim Chaim

5499/1739, Harav Yeshayah Basson, Zt”l Mechaber of Lachmei Todah

Harav Yeshayah Basson was the son of Harav Yisrael Chizkiyahu Basson. He was one of the foremost Torah leaders of the Italian community towards the end of the 5400s.

A talmid of Harav Yehudah Brielle, zt”l, he married the daughter of the mekubal Harav Binyamin Hakohen Vitiali, zt”l, who served as Rav in Reggio. Later, he replaced his father-in-law as Rav.

In his capacity as Rav, Rav Yeshayah answered the many halachic she’eilos addressed to him from across Italy. These were later collected and published under the name Lachmei Todah. Some of his teshuvos were published in the sefarim of his contemporaries.

Among his famous talmidim was the Ramchal, Harav Moshe Chaim Luzzato. Rav Yeshayah defended this talmid when he was attacked for his philosophical works.

Rav Yeshayah was niftar on Rosh Chodesh Nisan 5499/1739 in Reggio.

His son Harav Yisrael Binyamin published Lachmei Todah after his father’s petirah.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

March 26

In 1812, an earthquake devastated Caracas, Venezuela, causing an estimated 26,000 deaths, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

In 1945, during World War II, Iwo Jima was fully secured by U.S. forces following a final, desperate attack by Japanese soldiers.

In 1979, a peace treaty was signed by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and witnessed by President Jimmy Carter at the White House.

In 1982, groundbreaking ceremonies took place in Washington, D.C., for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

In 2010, the U.S. and Russia sealed the first major nuclear weapons treaty in nearly two decades, agreeing to slash the former Cold War rivals’ warhead arsenals by nearly one-third.