This Day in History – 2 Tammuz/June 19

In 4856/1096, the Crusaders arrived in the city of Weltzk, assembled all the Jews and led them to their deaths. Hy”d.

Yahrtzeiten

2310/1451 B.C.E., according to most opinions, Yosef Hatzaddik. He was also born on this date, in 2200/1561 B.C.E. (According to other opinions, he was niftar on 27 Tammuz.)

5525/1765, Harav Nachman of Horodenka, zt”l

5649/1889, Harav Avraham Twersky, zt”l, the Trisker Maggid

5678/1918, Harav Eliezer Nisan of Dzikov, zt”l

5623/1863ת Harav Mordechai Zev Itinga, zt”l, Mechaber of Meforshei Hayam

Harav Mordechai Zev Itinga, the son of Harav Yitzchak Aharon, was born in 5565/1805.

In his younger years he learned under Harav Naftali Hertz Sochotchov, Rav of Lvov. Later he learned under his famous uncle Harav Mordechai Zev Orenstein, the Yeshuos Yaakov.

Reb Mordecai Zev was a renowned talmid chacham who dedicated all his time to learning Torah. Although he could have served as a Rav, he preferred not to support himself through Torah.

His greatness in Torah and halachah is evident in Maamar Mordechai, his correspondence with the other Gedolim of his generation.

His sefarim include Magen Gibborim, on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, which has become one of the basic sefarim on Orach Chaim; and his notes, written with his brother-in-law, Harav Yosef Shaul Natansohn, under the name Meforshei Hayam, and sefer Meiras Einayim.

Reb Mordechai Zev was known for his tzedakah and acts of chessed, especially for the poor of Eretz Yisrael.

He was niftar on 2 Tammuz 5623/1863, at the age of 58.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

June 19

In 1865, Union troops commanded by Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War was over, and that all remaining slaves in Texas were free, an event celebrated to this day as “Juneteenth.”

In 1934, the Federal Communications Commission was created; it replaced the Federal Radio Commission.

In 1944, during World War II, the two-day Battle of the Philippine Sea began, resulting in a decisive victory for the Americans over the Japanese.

In 1945, millions of New Yorkers turned out to cheer Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was honored with a parade.

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was approved by the U.S. Senate, 73–27, after surviving a lengthy filibuster.