This Day in History – 13 Cheshvan/October 26

In 5314/1553, under Pope Julius III, Cardinal Peter Carafa, head of the Inquisition and the future Pope Paul IV, burned many copies of the Talmud in the center of Venice.

In 5521/1760, the first siddur was printed in the United States.

Yahrtzeiten

5414/1653, Harav Pinchas Horowitz, zt”l, Rav of Polda and dayan of Prague

5531/1770, Harav Yosef Kahana, zt”l, father of the Ketzos Hachoshen

5542/1781, Harav Baruch of Kossov, zt”l

Reb Baruch of Kossov was a devoted talmid of Harav Menachem Mendel of Premishlan, and served as the maggid meisharim of Kossov.

He settled in Kossov in order to eradicate the persistent heretic impression brought about by Shabsai Tzvi. He also traveled around the neighboring towns and villages to arouse Yidden to become closer to Hashem, and to spread Toras haChassidus.

The Mochiach of Kossov, as he was known, was a well-known figure at the time. He was honored in all circles, as proven by the haskamos he received for his sefarim.

Reb Baruch authored two chiburim, Yesod Ha’emunah and Amud Ha’avodah, which are actually two parts of one sefer. In them he brings divrei Torah from the Baal Shem Tov, the Maggid, Reb Mendel of Premishlan, Reb Nachman of Kossov and Reb Leib Pistiner, among others.

Despite his having prepared the sefarim for publication, they were not actually printed until over 70 years after his petirah.

Reb Baruch of Kossov was niftar on 13 Cheshvan 5542/1781 or, according to some, 5543/1782. His son-in-law was Harav Avraham Katz, the maggid meisharim of Butushan. His sons were Harav Yosef, who began to print his father’s sefarim, and Harav Avraham, whose son, Harav Moshe, actually brought these sefarim to print in Chernowitz in 5614/1853.

Yehi zichro baruch.

Oct. 26

In 1774, the First Continental Congress adjourned in Philadelphia.

In 1825, the Erie Canal opened in upstate New York, connecting Lake Erie and the Hudson River.

In 1861, the legendary Pony Express officially ceased operations, giving way to the transcontinental telegraph. (The last run of the Pony Express was completed the following month.)

In 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed a measure raising the minimum wage from 40 to 75 cents an hour.

In 1975, Anwar Sadat became the first Egyptian president to pay an official visit to the United States.