This Day in History – 11 Tishrei/September 24

In 2450/ 1312 B.C.E., Yisro advised Moshe Rabbeinu to appoint people to help him judge the nation.

Yahrtzeiten

4227/466, Rav Huna ben Mar Zutra and Mar Bar Rav Ashi, zt”l

5572/1811, Harav Tzvi Aryeh of Alik, zt”l

5644/1883, Harav Alexander Yom Tov of Zidichov, zt”l

5703/1942, Harav Menachem Mendel of Bohush, zt”l

5529/1768, Harav Avraham Abish of Frankfurt, zt”l

Harav Avraham Abish was born in 5450/1690. His father was Harav Tzvi Hirsh, Rav of Mezeritch. He learned under Rav Tzvi Hirsh of Halberstadt and Rav Naftali Katz, the Semichas Chachamim.

After his marriage, his wife opened a small store, while he sat and learned. It is said that he was zocheh to gilui Eliyahu during this period.

Meanwhile, in the city of Koriv, Rav Pinchas instructed before his passing that his place be filled by this tzaddik nistar.

Harav Avraham Abish was renowned for his hospitality; Rav Chaim of Volozhin said he reached the level of Avraham Avinu in hachnasas orchim. He gave away all his money to tzedakah. Although a respected Rav, he never considered it below his dignity to collect for tzedakah.

In 5516/1756, Rav Avraham Abish was appointed Rav of Frankfurt.

On his first Shabbos as Rav, Rav Avraham Abish said in his drashah that he had three questions to ask. Of himself: How could he dare take up this position in a city that had had Rabbanim like the Shelah, the Pnei Yehoshua and others? Of the kehillah: How could they appoint him Rav? And, k’vayachol, of Hashem: Could He not have found a more worthy Rav for Frankfurt?

Rav Avraham Abish wrote numerous sefarim, including Birkas Avraham, on Shas; Emek Hamelech, on the Rambam; Kaneh Avraham, on the Torah and the Megillos; Machazeh Avraham, on Haggadah shel Pesach.

He was niftar on 11 Tishrei 5529/1768, at age 78. He was survived by his sons: Rav Elazar, Rav of Shvell; Rav Yaakov, Rav of Kariv; Rav Aryeh Leib of Kari; Rav Yosef of Kalish; Rav Tzvi Hirsh of Frankfurt; and Rav Ozer of Mezeritch; and a son-in-law, Rav Asher Lemel Hakohen.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

Sept. 24

In 1789, President George Washington signed a Judiciary Act establishing America’s federal court system and creating the post of attorney general.

In 1869, thousands of businessmen were ruined in a Wall Street panic known as “Black Friday” after financiers Jay Gould and James Fisk attempted to corner the gold market.

In 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower ordered U.S. Army troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, to desegregate the school system.