This Day in History – 21 Adar I/March 1

In 4996/1236, the Jews of Narbonne, France, were saved from a mob. After a Jew quarreled with a wealthy gentile fish merchant, the fish merchant suddenly died. Angry mobs attacked the Jewish community and confiscated the sefarim of the Rav, Harav Meir ben Harav Yitzchak, claiming that he was at fault in the merchant’s death.

The Jews were saved when the ruler, Baron Emmerich, intervened and restored order. This is the oldest known community Purim.

Yahrtzeiten

5493/1733, Harav Avraham ben Musa, zt”l, mechaber of Minchas Sotah

5637/1877, Harav Aryeh Leib Halberstam of Dukla, zt”l (Adar I)

5656/1896, Harav Yitzchak Elchanan Spector, zt”l, Rav of Kovno

5678/1918, Harav Yitzchak of Ponevez, zt”l, mechaber of Zecher Yitzchak

5749/1989, Harav Shalom Schnitzler, zt”l, the Tchaba Rav of London (Adar I)

5547/1787, Harav Elimelech of Lizhensk, zt”l

5696/1936, Harav Binyamin Fuchs, Rav Of Grosvardein, zt”l

Harav Binyamin Fuchs was born on 11 Tishrei 5637/1876. His father, Rav Moshe Tzvi, was Rav of Sered and Grosvardein.

Reb Binyamin learned in his father’s yeshivah, and later in the yeshivos of Harav Yehudah Greenwald in Satmar and Harav Mordechai Leib Winkler in Brezava; and in Pressburg under Harav Simchah Bunim Sofer.

In 5661/1901, Reb Binyamin was appointed Rav in Brashau, and in 5665/1905 in Liaka. Subsequently he was Rav in Bezing and Nadi-Banya. In 5678/1918, with the petirah of his father, Reb Binyamin succeeded to the Rabbanus in Grosvardein.

Reb Binyamin was known as a lamdan and a speaker, delivering many profound drashos. He was at the forefront of the fight against those who wished to wreak havoc on Torah-true Yiddishkeit.

He used his connections with the local government for the benefit of his brethren in times of strife.

Reb Binyamin was niftar suddenly at the age of 59 on 21 Adar 5696/1936.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

March 1

In 1565, the city of Rio de Janeiro was founded by Portuguese knight Estacio de Sa.

In 1790, President George Washington signed a measure authorizing the first U.S. Census.

In 1815, Napoleon, having escaped exile in Elba, arrived in Cannes, France, and headed for Paris to begin his “Hundred Days” rule.

In 1867, Nebraska became the 37th state.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order establishing the Peace Corps.