This Day in History – 2 Iyar/April 21

In 5680/1920, the Supreme Council of the Peace Conference recognized the Balfour Declaration and proclaimed Eretz Yisrael a mandated territory under British administration.

In 5705/1945, the British army liberated the death camp of Bergen-Belsen and its 40,000 barely surviving inmates.

Yahrtzeiten

5320/1560, Harav Kalman Vermeiza of Lvov, zt”l, one of the first marbitzei Torah in Poland

5330/1570, Harav Nosson Shapiro, zt”l, mechaber of She’arim L’shaarei Dura

5572/1812, Harav Avraham Dov Ber Auerbach, zt”l, Rav of Chmielnik

5663/1903, Harav Yosef Shlofer, zt”l, mechaber of Poras Yosef

5669/1909, Harav Avraham Yitzchak Glick, zt”l, Rav of Toltchova and mechaber of Be’er Yitzchak and other sefarim

5693/1933, Harav Yosef Nechemiah Kornitzer, zt”l, the last Rav of Cracow

5750/1990, Harav Avraham Badush of Mexico, zt”l, mechaber of Meoros Avraham

5751/1991, Harav Tzvi Hersh Zaks, zt”l, a grandson of the Chofetz Chaim

5675/1915, Harav Moshe Zakan Mazuz Of Djerba (Tunisia), zt”l, Mechaber of Shaarei Moshe

Harav Moshe Zakan Mazuz was one of Djerba’s foremost Torah leaders. He learned under Harav Chaim Hakohen, the mechaber of Lev Shomei’a.

From a young age, Harav Moshe Zakan wrote sefarim on a wide array of Torah topics.

He was appointed Rav of Charah Zagira in 5665/1905, and in 5670/1910 was appointed Rav of Djerba. Harav Moshe Zakan also headed the beis din in Djerba, and taught many talmidim.

Harav Moshe Zakan was known for his thorough psakim, and they are relied on even today.

In his later years, he studied Kabbalah.

Some of his sefarim were published during his lifetime, while others after his petirah. They include Shaarei Moshe, his halachic rulings and she’eilos u’teshuvos; Shaarei Torah, pilpulim on the Torah and Shas; Sever Panim, chiddushim on Shas and the Rambam, and others.

Harav Moshe Zakan was niftar on 2 Iyar 5675/1915.

Yehi zichro baruch.

April 21

In 1789, John Adams was sworn in as the first vice president of the United States.

In 1836, an army of Texans led by Sam Houston defeated the Mexicans at San Jacinto, assuring Texas independence.

In 1960, Brazil inaugurated its new capital, Brasilia, transferring the seat of national government from Rio de Janeiro.

In 1972, Apollo 16 astronauts John Young and Charles Duke explored the surface of the moon.

In 1975, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu resigned after 10 years in office.