This Day in History – 15 Iyar/April 25

15 Iyar

In 2448/1313 B.C.E., the supply of matzah that the Jews had brought with them from Egypt was exhausted. When they complained to Moshe Rabbeinu that they had nothing to eat, Hashem notified them that He would rain down “lechem min haShamayim” to sustain them, alluding to manna, which began falling one day later.

In 5487/1727, Empress Catherine I of Russia expelled the Jews from the Ukraine.

In 5643/1883, anti-Jewish riots broke out in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.

Yahrtzeiten

5609/1849, Harav Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapiro, zt”l, the “saraf” of Moglanitza

5639/1879, Harav Baruch Rosenfeld, zt”l, Rav of Galov and a talmid of Harav Akiva Eiger, zt”l

5748/1988, Harav Dovid Moshe Shapiro, zt”l, the Gvodzitz–Sadigura Rebbe of Boro Park, mechaber of Duda’im shel Moshe

5763/2003, Harav Tuvia Goldstein, zt”l, Rosh Yeshivas Emek Halachah

5521/1761

Harav Aryeh Leib Shapiro of Vilna, zt”l, mechaber of Me’on Arayos and Nachalas Ariel

Harav Aryeh Leib Shapiro was born in 5461/1701. His father, Harav Yitzchak, mechaber of Elef Hamagen, was niftar on 25 Adar 5471/1711, in Lvov, when Reb Aryeh Leib was just nine years old. His mother tended to him from then on, and encouraged him to strengthen himself and to continue in his learning. Unfortunately, she also passed away before Reb Aryeh Leib married.

Reb Aryeh Leib traveled to learn in Lithuania, where he later married. He settled in Vilna, where his father-in-law supported him.

At the age of 21, Reb Aryeh Leib undertook an innovative project: to compile a commentary on maseches Sofrim on the halachos of writing safrus — one of the least studied masechtos. He wrote two commentaries: Nachalas Ariel, based on pshat, and Me’on Arayos, a commentary based on pilpul.

The Chida quotes these works in his Shem Hagedolim, and heaps much praise on them.

Reb Aryeh Leib also served as Rav and Dayan in Vilna. He was niftar on 15 Iyar, 5521/1761, at the age of 60.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

April 25

In 1507, a world map produced by German cartographer Martin Waldseemueller contained the first recorded use of the term “America,” in honor of Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci.

In 1792, highwayman Nicolas Jacques Pelletier became the first person under French law to be executed by the guillotine.

In 1859, ground was broken for the Suez Canal.

In 1862, during the Civil War, a Union fleet commanded by Flag Officer David G. Farragut captured the city of New Orleans.

In 1898, the United States formally declared war on Spain.

In 1901, New York Gov. Benjamin Barker Odell, Jr., signed an automobile registration bill which imposed a 15 mph speed limit on highways.

In 1915, during World War I, Allied soldiers invaded the Gallipoli  Peninsula in an unsuccessful attempt to take the Ottoman Empire out of the war.

In 1945, during World War II, U.S. and Soviet forces linked up on the Elbe River, a meeting that dramatized the collapse of Nazi Germany’s defenses.

Delegates from some 50 countries met in San Francisco to organize the United Nations.

In 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway opened to shipping.

In 1972, Polaroid Corp. introduced its SX-70 folding camera, which ejected self-developing photographs.

In 1983, 10-year-old Samantha Smith of Manchester, Maine, received a reply from Soviet leader Yuri V. Andropov to a letter she’d written expressing concern about possible nuclear war; Andropov reassured Samantha that the Soviet Union did not want war, and he invited her to visit his country, a trip Samantha made the following July.