This Day in History – 20 Sivan/May 29

20 Sivan

In 4931/1171, 56 Jews were burned al kiddush Hashem in Blois, France, as a result of the first blood libel in Europe. Rabbeinu Tam and other contemporary Rishonim declared this day as a fast day to mark the event.

The following Rabbanim were killed al kiddush Hashem on that day: Harav Yechiel, Harav Yekusiel Hakohen, Harav Yehudah, Harav Yitzchak, Harav Moshe, Harav Baruch, Harav Shmuel, Harav Menachem and a second Harav Yehudah. Another 31 men and 17 women were also killed, Hy”d. As they were led to their death they recited Aleinu Leshabe’ach with great simchah.

The taanis of 20 Sivan was accepted in 5410/1650 by the Vaad Arba Aratzos to also commemorate the intensification of the Tach-V’tat massacres that had just occurred (Magen Avraham Orach Chaim 580). On this day in 5408/1648, the Cossacks, led by the infamous Chmielnicki, ym”s, arrived in Nemirov — on the Ukranian border with Poland — and killed over 6,000 Jews. They later moved on to other towns in the area. By the time they were done, close to 10,000 Yidden were killed al kiddush Hashem. Hy”d.

Among the Rabbanim who were killed al kiddush Hashem during that massacre were Harav Yechiel Mechel of Nemirov, mechaber of Shivrei Luchos; Harav Shimshon of Ostropoli; Harav Chaim of Shagrirad; Harav Yitzchak of Polnai; Harav Shlomo of Prohobitch; Harav Avraham of Shagrirad; Harav Chaim and Harav Elazar of Tulshitz. Hy”d.

Yahrtzeiten

5561/1801, Harav Tzvi Hirsh of Nadvorna, zt”l, the Tzemach Hashem l’Tzvi

5629/1869, Harav Chaim Mordechai Lovoton, zt”l, mechaber of Nochach Hashulchan

5760/2000, Harav Feivish Shneebalg of London, zt”l, mechaber of Shraga Hameir

5697/1937 Harav Zev of Rachmastrivka, zt”l

Harav Zev was born on 5 Adar 5611/1851. His father was Harav Yochanan, the founder of the Rachmastrivka dynasty, and he, in turn, was the son of Harav Mordechai, the Maggid of Chernobyl. Harav Zev’s mother was Rebbetzin Chanah, the daughter of Harav Pinchas of Kalik, the son of the Ohr Hame’ir of Zhitomir.

He received semichah from his uncle Harav Yitzchak of Skver. Harav Zev was known from his youth as a unique gaon, and indeed he left behind many manuscripts that exemplified his geonus. In addition, many of his chiddushim were published in various kovtzim, some without his name.

He married Rebbetzin Bas-Sheva, the daughter of Harav Meshulam Zusya of Chernobyl, the son of Harav Aharon, his father’s brother. After his chasunah he sat al haTorah v’al ha’avodah in Chernobyl, basking in the aura of kedushah that permeated the Chernobyler court, to which most of Ukraine’s Chassidim flocked.

Following the untimely petirah of his Rebbetzin, who was childless, he married Rebbetzin Tzipporah Brachah, the daughter of Harav Yaakov Shimshon Chodorov of Bahapoli. They had two sons, Harav Nachum Moshe and Harav Dovid, and one daughter, Rebbetzin Margalis, who married Harav Chaim Meir Hager, the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz.

After the petirah of his father, he, together with his brothers, accepted the joint mantle of admorus. The brothers led the growing flock of Rachmastrivka with unique unity.

During the Bolshevik Revolution, in 5687–88/1917–18, which wreaked havoc on Russian Jewry, the Rebbe sought a safe haven in the town of Zlatipoli.

In 5694/1934, the Rebbe ascended to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Yerushalayim. He was actually the last of his brothers to leave for Eretz Yisrael; his brother Harav Mordechai arrived in 5664/1904 and Harav Menachem Nachum came in 5686/1926. His oldest brother, Harav David of Zlatipoli, was niftar in Zlatipoli in 5670/1910.

During his last year in Yerushalayim, Harav Zev was struck with a serious illness. B’chasdei Hashem, his mind was not affected, and he was able to continue his exalted avodah.

On 20 Sivan, he returned his pure neshamah to its Creator. He was buried in the Rachmastrivka ohel on Har Hazeisim.

May 29:

In 1765, Patrick Henry denounced the Stamp Act before Virginia’s House of Burgesses.

In 1790, Rhode Island became the 13th original colony to ratify the United States Constitution.

In 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th state of the union.

In 1917, the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, was born in Brookline, Mass.

In 1932, World War I veterans began arriving in Washington to demand cash bonuses they weren’t scheduled to receive until 1945.

In 1953, Mount Everest was conquered as Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tensing Norgay of Nepal became the first climbers to reach the summit.

In 1961, a couple in Paynesville, W.Va., became the first recipients of food stamps under a pilot program created by President John F. Kennedy.

In 1973, Tom Bradley was elected the first black mayor of Los Angeles, defeating incumbent Sam Yorty.