This Day in History – 22 Elul/August 28

22 Elul

Today is a Yom Tov cited in Megillas Taanis, commemorating the defeat of Yevanim by Jews. The Jews had given the Greeks a three-day grace period in which they would be allowed to retreat, but they did not. This ultimately led to their defeat.

In 5663/1903, the Jews of Homel, Russia, were massacred. Hy”d.

In 5699/1939, German forces occupied the Polish cities of Cracow, Radom, Lodz, Tarnow and Premisyl.

In 5701/1941, 9,000 Jews of Slonim, Russia, were murdered by the Nazis. Hy”d.

Yahrtzeiten

4887/1127, Rabbeinu Baruch of Kortova, zt”l, a talmid of the Rif

5187/1427, Rabbeinu Yaakov Segal Molen, the Maharil, zt”l

5610/1850, Harav Binyamin Zev Sheinblum of Lvov, zt”l

5663/1903, Harav Mordechai Dov of Hornsteipel, zt”l, mechaber of Ha’emek She’eilah

5678/1918, Harav Avraham Moshe of Ropshe, zt”l

5705/1945, Harav Baruch Bentzion Twersky, zt”l, the Loyev-Chernobyler Rebbe

5666/1906

Harav Yissachar Dov Ber Leifer of Satmar, zt”l

Harav Yissachar Dov Ber Leifer was the son of Harav Mordechai of Nadvorna.

His first wife was the daughter of Harav Eliezer Brandwein of Ozipolah-Stretin. After her petirah he married the daughter of Harav Yehoshua Heschel Eichenstein of Chodorov-Ziditchov.

Following the petirah of his father on the first day of Sukkos 5655/1894, Reb Yissachar Ber, fondly known as Reb Bertze, was appointed Rebbe in Satmar, where he lived.

As he was renowned for his mofsim, many came to him for brachos and yeshuos.

He was a masmid who constantly returned to his learning after dealing with his petitioners.

Reb Bertze was niftar on 22 Elul 5666/1906.

All his sons served as Rebbes: Harav Meir in Cleveland, Harav Isamar in Bishtina, Harav Aharon Moshe in Grossvardein, Harav Dovid in Banya, Harav Yosef in Pittsburgh and Harav Shalom in Breiten.

His sons-in-law were Harav Yitzchak Yechezkel Hochman of Kishinev; Harav Meir of Satmar; and Harav Yissachar Dov Rosenbaum of Strozhnitz.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

August 28

In 1609, English sea explorer Henry Hudson and his ship, the Half Moon, reached present-day Delaware Bay.

In 1862, the Second Battle of Bull Run (also known as Second Manassas) began in Prince William County, Va., during the Civil War; the result was a Confederate victory.

In 1922, the first-ever radio commercial aired on station WEAF in New York City; the 10-minute advertisement was for the Queensboro Realty Co., which had paid a fee of $100.

In 1945, the Allies began occupying Japan at the end of World War II.

In 1963, more than 200,000 people listened as the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

In 1968, police and anti-war demonstrators clashed in the streets of Chicago as the Democratic National Convention nominated Hubert H. Humphrey for president.

In 1973, an earthquake shook Veracruz, Mexico; death toll estimates range from 600 to 1,200.

In 1983, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin announced his resignation.

In 1990, an F5 tornado struck the Chicago area, killing 29 people.