This Day in History – 19 Av/August 4

Yahrtzeits

5492/1732, Harav Yaakov Kuli, author of Yalkut Me’am Loez.

5683/1923, Harav Aharon Menachem Mendel of Alesk.

5714/1954, Harav Shimon Shalom Kalish, the Amshinover Rebbe, zy”a

Harav Shimon Shalom was born in 5623/1863 to his father, Harav Menachem of Amshinov, zy”a.

As a child, Rav Shimele was noted for his unique ahavas Yisrael.

During his teenage years he learned under his uncle, Harav Yeshayah of Peshischa, zy”a, who took him as a husband for his daughter, Feige Bracha. Afterwards, he returned to Amshinov.

After his father Harav Menachem was niftar, Rav Shimele moved to the resort town of Otvotzk, to take advantage of the clear, mountain air. Reb Shimele set up his court.

Reb Shimele’s home was a veritable reshus harabbim. Every day, throngs of Chassidim would come there to consult with him.

In 5693/1933, Reb Shimele paid a year-long visit to Eretz Yisrael together with his son, Harav Yerachmiel Yehudah Meir. During that visit he made the decision to move there, and encouraged Chassidim to move there as well. After returning to Poland, the Rebbe would often say, “For me, chutz la’Aretz is only an anteroom to Eretz Yisrael. I am an Eretz Yisraeldige Yid.”

Nevertheless, his many responsibilities obligated him to remain in Poland.

When World War II broke out, , Reb Shimele fled from Otvotzk to the city of Chelm with his family, just moments ahead of the Nazi takeover.

Eventually, the Rebbe and his family, made their way to Vilna.

Through open miracles, the Rebbe and his family, together with a group from Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin, joined the Mirrer Yeshivah and succeeded in escaping Vilna with Curacao visas, traveling across Russia until they arrived in the city of Kobe, Japan.

The Japanese government, suspicious of the Jews, invited Jewish leaders to Tokyo for a meeting, Reb Shimele and Harav Moshe Shatzkes among them.

During the meeting the Japanese General Pogamzi asked, “Why do the Germans hate the Jews so much? It must have a rational reason.”

Reb Shimele did not lose his equilibrium. He explained, “The Germans hate us because they possess the deepest disgust for nations of ‘Asian’ descent. They believe the Aryan nation from Europe is the master race and all others are subhuman. The Nazis despise all Asian people, not just Jews. Even the most cursory reading of the writings of Nazi philosophers on race and Aryan superiority will show that all that I have just said is clearly written there.”

The Rebbe’s answer made a profound impression on the officials.

Eventually, the Japanese government sent the Jews to Shanghai, and it was there that those fortunate Yidden lived out the war years.

After the war, Reb Shimele emigrated, together with all the other refugees, to the United States, from where he sought to procure a certificate to immigrate to Palestine. In the meantime, the Rebbe realized that there was much to be done in America and became involved in communal matters affecting American chareidi Jewry.

In the spring of 5714/1954, he decided that the time had come to move back to Eretz Yisrael. Tragically, during the final weeks of preparation, the Rebbe took ill and, in a matter of three days, on 19 Av, he was niftar.

Reb Shimele was buried in the ancient cemetery of Teveria.

Zechuso yagein aleinu

August 4

In 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard had its beginnings as President George Washington signed a measure authorizing a group of revenue cutters to enforce tariff and trade laws and prevent smuggling.

In 1830, plans for the city of Chicago were laid out.

In 1914, Britain declared war on Germany for invading Belgium; the United States proclaimed its neutrality in the mushrooming world conflict.

In 1944, 15-year-old diarist Anne Frank was arrested with her sister, parents and four others by the Gestapo after hiding for two years inside a building in Amsterdam. (Anne and her sister, Margot, died at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.)

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed a measure establishing the Department of Energy.

In 1987, the Federal Communications Commission voted to abolish the Fairness Doctrine, which required broadcast media to present balanced coverage of controversial issues.