This Day in History – 14 Sivan/June 1

In 5270/1510, Germany’s emperor rescinded an order to burn all the sefarim found in Cologne and Frankfurt.

In 5348/1588, 24 Jews were burned at the stake al kiddush Hashem at an auto-da-fé. Hy”d.

Yahrtzeiten

5510/1750, Harav Uren of Pintchov, who was hung al kiddush Hashem in Brodi, Hy”d

5568/1808, Harav Leib, zt”l, brother of the Vilna Gaon

5581/1821, Harav Chaim of Volozhin, zt”l, mechaber of Nefesh Hachaim

5745/1985, Harav Moshe Horowitz, zt”l, the Bostoner Rebbe of New York

5759/1999, Harav Nissim Yagen, zt”l, founder of Arachim and the Kehillas Yaakov Kollel

5724/1964, Harav Chaim Bick, zt”l

Harav Chaim Bick was born in Krosilov, Ukraine, on Rosh Chodesh Shevat 5648/1888 after the passing of his father (whom he is named after). His young years were very difficult, as he was raised as an orphan of his father since birth. When he reached the age of bar mitzvah, he no longer had any living grandparents. Shortly thereafter, his mother became ill and later on, yet before his marriage, she passed away. All these obstacles did not hinder his Torah growth. When he was just 15 years old, he wrote chiddushim on Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De’ah.

In 1910, Reb Chaim married his wife, Miriam, daughter of Reb Meshulem Noson Horowitz of Mezhibuzh. A year later, he was hired to be the Rav in Mezhibuzh, where his father had been Rav. Very shortly thereafter, Reb Chaim was already known as one of the prominent Rabbanim of the time, and was in demand throughout the Ukraine to conduct dinei Torah. The harshness of the Communist regime and the consequent increased dangers it posed compelled him to leave the Ukraine in 1925 and emigrate to the U.S. The entire community turned out to bid him farewell and escort him on his way.

Rav Bick settled in New York City, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. There, he served as the Rav of the three Mezhibuzher Shuls — Cong. Anshai Mezhibuzh (48 Orchard St.); Mezhibuzher Shul (79 Ridge St.); and Chevrah Ohev Yisroel Anshai Mezhibuzh (91 Attorney St.).

In 1935, Reb Chaim moved to Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, where his followers founded Cong. Ahavas Achim. Rabbanim and community leaders often approached him with she’eilos and for his advice on various issues. In addition, the Bais Yaakov and mikveh boards chose him as their Rabbi.

Rav Bick was one of the major Poskim of the time. As the Klausenburger Rebbe, Harav Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam, zy”a, said, “Two Rabbanim in America have the exact answer to all complex halachic she’eilos: Harav Moshe Feinstein and Harav Chaim Bick.

Reb Chaim was a very active member in the Agudas Harabanim as well as a leader and Presidium member of the Vaad Harabanim of New York.

Rav Bick was niftar on 14 Sivan 5724/1964. He was laid to rest at Beth David Cemetery in Long Island.

 Yehi zichro baruch.

June 1

In 1792, Kentucky became the 15th state of the union.

In 1796, Tennessee became the 16th state.

In 1813, the mortally wounded commander of the USS Chesapeake, Capt. James Lawrence, gave the order “Don’t give up the ship” during a losing battle with the British frigate HMS Shannon in the War of 1812.

In 1968, author-lecturer Helen Keller, who’d earned a college degree despite being blind and deaf almost all her life, died in Westport, Connecticut, at age 87.

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev signed the foundation of a landmark treaty for the first-ever cuts in strategic nuclear missiles and a pact to slash chemical weapons stockpiles.