This Day in History – 20 Kislev/December 2

In 5557/1796, the first edition of the Tanya was printed.

Yahrtzeiten

5555/1794, Harav Meshulam Feivish of Zhbarezh, zt”l, the Yosher Divrei Emes

5653/1892, Harav Baruch Hager, zt”l, the Imrei Baruch of Vizhnitz

5681/1920, Harav Alush of Djerba, zt”l, mechaber of Ohev Mishpat

5741/1980, Harav Yitzchak Hutner, zt”l, mechaber of Pachad Yitzchak

5742/1981, Harav Yochanan Twersky of Rachmastrivke, zt”l

Born in Rachmastrivka in 5663/1903, Harav Yochanan was the son of Harav Dovid of Rachmastrivka. He was named after his great-grandfather, the first Reb Yochanan of Rachmastrivka, son of the Chernobyler Maggid.

Reb Yochanan learned Torah with great mesirus nefesh under the Communist regime. He was once taken out to be killed — and was actually hanged — but miraculously survived.

During World War I, he fled with his family to the town of Mikolayev. Despite his youth, Reb Yochanan founded a cheder to ensure that Jewish children would be able to study Torah. Years later, a Russian Jew related that he was present when the Russian authorities attempted to interrogate Reb Yochanan about the cheder. Since he did not speak Russian, this Jew was asked to interpret. “Tell them,” Reb Yochanan declared, “that I have no connection with them. I do not interfere in their affairs, and they should not interfere with mine.” To the amazement of everyone present, the authorities simply walked away.

In another incident, a Russian officer came over to the Rebbe and told him, “You should know I can shoot you!” The Rebbe opened his shirt button and replied, “You may shoot — I am not the least afraid!”

In 5686/1926, together with his father and grandfather Harav Menachem Nachum, Reb Yochanan escaped from Russia and ascended to Eretz Yisrael. After the petirah of his father in 5710/1950, he succeeded him as Rachmastrivka Rebbe.

Reb Yochanan founded Yeshivas Meor Einayim in Yerushalayim and soon attracted many adherents. He was revered for his great hasmadah and for his ­dveikus during davening.

On 20 Kislev 5742/1981, Reb Yochanan returned his pure soul to its Maker.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Dec. 2

In 1804, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French.

In 1970, the newly created Environmental Protection Agency opened its doors; its first director was William D. Ruckelshaus.

In 1995, NASA launched the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a joint project of the United States and the European Space Agency, on a $1 billion mission to study the sun and interplanetary space. SOHO has discovered 3,000 comets.