This Day in History – 14 Cheshvan/October 27

In 5380/1619, Jews of Prague miraculously escaped destruction during the 30-Years’ War. This day was accepted as a fast day, concluding with a festive meal in the evening to commemorate the miracle.

In 5703/1942, Norway’s Jewish men were deported to Auschwitz.

Yahrtzeiten

5300/1539, Harav Yehudah Lowy, zt”l, of Prague, grandfather of the Maharal

5703/1942, Harav Avraham Elimelech Perlow of Karlin, Hy”d

5693/1932, Harav Aharon Weiss of Benedkwits, zy”a, the Midrash Aharon

Harav Aharon Weiss was born on Rosh Chodesh Shevat 5611/1851. His father was Rav Shmuel Tzvi, Rav in Munkacs.

Rav Aharon’s maternal grandfather was Harav Tzvi Hirsh Estreicher of Drohobych.

Rav Aharon learned under his father, under his uncle Rav Yitzchak Eizik of Swalivea, and under his elder brother Harav Yosef Meir of Spinka, the Imrei Yosef. He was also a talmid of Harav Yitzchak Eizik of Ziditchov.

At the age of 17 he was taken as a chassan by Harav Yehoshua Heshel Hakohen Fried of Kapisch, one of Hungary’s leading Rabbanim.

Rav Aharon was given semichah by the Yetev Lev of Sighet; by Harav Chaim Tzvi Mannheimer, Rav of Ungvar; and by Harav Shlomo Ganzfried, mechaber of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch.

At the age of 20, Rav Aharon was appointed Rav of Benedkwits, near the city of Munkacs. He opened a yeshivah there and many local bachurim thronged to him.

With time, Ziditchover Chassidim began to flock to his court, and Rav Aharon became known as a poel yeshuos.

In 5667/1907, Rav Aharon moved his court and yeshivah to the Raswigeff region of Munkacs. He was asked to serve as Dayan in Munkacs, and in 5675/1915 was appointed Rav of the city.

Rav Aharon was niftar on 14 Cheshvan 5693/1932, at the age of 81. He was buried in Munkacs, where an ohel was built on his kever. In 5736/1976, when the local authorities decided to destroy the cemetery, Rav Aharon and other Rabbanim were reinterred in Krupets.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Oct. 27

In 1787, the first of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays calling for ratification of the United States Constitution, was published.

In 1938, Du Pont announced a name for its new synthetic yarn: “nylon.”

In 1978, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin were named winners of the Nobel Peace Prize for their progress toward achieving a Middle East accord.