This Day in History – 19 Iyar/April 29

19 Iyar

In 5705/1945, Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi minister of propaganda, took his own life. Goebbels was known for his zealous and energetic oratory, virulent anti-Semitism and perfection of the so-called Big Lie technique of mass propaganda. Following Hitler’s death he served as Chancellor for one day, approved the murder of his own six children and then took his own life.

Yahrtzeiten

5053/1293, Harav Meir, zt”l, the Maharam of Rothenburg

5575/1815, Harav Menachem Mendel of Rimanov, zt”l

5730/1970, Harav Ezra Attia, zt”l, Rosh Yeshivas Porat Yosef, Yerushalayim

5755/1995, Harav Yaakov Moshe Mordechai Halevi Soloveitchik, zt”l, of Lucerne

5703/1943

Harav Pinchas Twersky of Ostilla, Hy”d

Harav Pinchas Twersky, born in 5640/1880, was the son of Harav Mordechai of Rachmastrivka. He grew up in the home of his grandfather Harav Yochanan of Rachmastrivka. Reb Yochanan was niftar in 5655/1895, when Reb Pinchas was 15.

Later, he learned under the tutelage of his father, who spoke highly of his son. As a youngster, Reb Pinchas was noted for his hasmadah in learning. He would distance himself from others, and was regarded as having a somewhat “closed” personality. But when it came to helping a fellow Jew, he would go out of his way.

Reb Pinchas once explained the dictum that Chazal say that the mitzvah of hachnasas orchim is greater than welcoming the Shechinah, by using the Russian weather as an example: if one leaves a guest out in the cold, he may freeze, but, kavyachol, the Shechinah won’t be disturbed by the severe weather.

In 5660/1900, Reb Pinchas married the daughter of Harav Yissachar Dov of Belz. Two years later, he settled in Belz, where he was very close to his father-in-law. He lived in Belz for the next 30 years.

Reb Pinchas remembered every dvar Torah that his father-in-law had said, and would repeat them to the chassidim.

During World War I, the Russian army invaded and destroyed the town of Belz, which was under Austrian control. Reb Yissachar Dov fled to Ratzfert, Hungary, together with Reb Pinchas. From there they moved to Munkacs, and later to Haloshitz.

The Rebbe returned to Belz to re-establish his court in 5685/1925, at which time the town was under Polish rule. Reb Pinchas also returned.

His father, Reb Mordechai, had meanwhile moved to Eretz Yisrael, where he was niftar on 17 Iyar 5681/1921.

When the Belzer Rebbe was niftar, his son Harav Aharon succeeded him as Rebbe, while Reb Pinchas was appointed Rebbe in Ostilla. About five years later, Reb Pinchas moved to Pshemishel, Galicia. Thousands flocked to his court.

When the Nazis invaded Galicia at the beginning of World War II, their first target was the leaders — the Rebbes and Rabbanim. They also searched for Reb Pinchas, who had disguised himself as a simple Jew and fled to Sambour, where he lived for two-and-a-half years.

The Nazis came to Sambour, where they brutally murdered the Jews — Reb Pinchas, his Rebbetzin and six children among them. They were killed on 19 Iyar 5703/1943. Hashem yinkom damam.

Only one child of Reb Pinchas survived: his daughter Rebetzin Trana, the wife of Harav Yaakov Yosef Twersky, zy”a, Skverer Rebbe in New Square.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

April 29

In 1861, the Maryland House of Delegates voted 53–13 against seceding from the Union.

In Montgomery, Ala., President Jefferson Davis asked the Confederate Congress for the authority to wage war.

In 1913, Swedish-born engineer Gideon Sundback of Hoboken, N.J., received a U.S. patent for a “separable fastener” — later known as the zipper.

In 1945, during World War II, American soldiers liberated the Dachau concentration camp.

In 1946, 28 former Japanese officials went on trial in Tokyo as war criminals; seven ended up being sentenced to death.

In 1974, President Richard M. Nixon announced he was releasing edited transcripts of some secretly made White House tape recordings related to Watergate.

In 1983, Harold Washington was sworn in as the first black mayor of Chicago.

In 1992, rioting resulting in 55 deaths erupted in Los Angeles after a jury in Simi Valley, Calif., acquitted four Los Angeles police officers of almost all state charges in the videotaped beating of Rodney King.

In 1993, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II announced that for the first time, Buckingham Palace would be opened to tourists to help raise money for repairs at fire-damaged Windsor Castle.