This Day in History – 22 Sivan/May 31

22 Sivan

In 2450/1311 B.C.E., according to the Gemara (Taanis 29), the incident of Kivros Hataavah ended on this date, and Miriam was afflicted with tzaraas. Others cite tomorrow, 23 Sivan, as the date Miriam was afflicted with tzaraas.

In 5285/1525, the Pope ordered the Jews of Carpentras, France, to wear distinctive yellow hats.

Yahrtzeiten

5591/1831, Harav David Deutsch, zt”l, mechaber of Ohel David

5625/1865, Harav Moshe Yerucham of Kotzk, zt”l

5665/1905, Harav Baruch Asher of Chernobyl, zt”l

5668/1908, Harav Eliyahu Bechor Chazan, zt”l, mechaber of Taalumos Lev

5675/1915, Harav Yosef Leib Sofer of Paksh, zt”l, mechaber of Yalkut Sofer

5717/1957, the Vasloier Rebbe, Harav Chaim Dov Halperin, zt”l

5733/1973, Harav Isamar Rosenbaum of Nadvorna, zt”l

5764/2004, Harav Yitzchak Shlomo Ungar, zt”l, Rav of Chug Chasam Sofer and Rosh Yeshivas Machaneh Avraham

5522/1762

Harav David Mirels (Frenkel), zt”l, mechaber of Korban Ha’edah on Yerushalmi

Harav David Mirels (Frenkel) was the son of Harav Naftali Hirsh. He was born in approximately 5464/1704, in Berlin.

Reb David first served as Rav in Dessau and he was appointed Rav of Berlin in 5502/1742.

He was known for his greatness in Torah as well his wealth and was renowned for his deeds of tzedakah and chessed.

Reb David was among the first to devote himself to the study of Talmud Yerushalmi, which had been largely neglected. He gave a great impetus to the study of the Yerushalmi with his commentary Korban Ha’edah. It is similar in style to that of Harav Moshe Margalios, the Pnei Moshe. The Korban Ha’edah covers the sedarim of Moed, Nashim and Nezikin. It is found on the outer side of the page.

His other notes on the Yerushalmi, found at the bottom of the page, called Shiyarei Korban, provide solutions to inaccuracies in the text.

The Avnei Nezer writes, in the name of his father-in-law, the Kotzker Rebbe, zy”a, that with the Korban Ha’edah one is able to understand the Yerushalmi.

Reb David was niftar on 22 Sivan 5522/1762.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.

May 31

In 1790, President George Washington signed into law the first U.S. copyright act.

In 1859, the Big Ben clock tower in London went into operation, chiming for the first time.

In 1889, more than 2,000 people perished when a dam break sent water rushing through Johnstown, Pa.

In 1910, the Union of South Africa was founded.

In 1913, U.S. Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan proclaimed the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, providing for popular election of U.S. senators, to be in effect.

In 1961, South Africa became an independent republic as it withdrew from the British Commonwealth.

In 1962, former Nazi official Adolf Eichmann was hanged in Israel a few minutes before midnight for his role in the Holocaust.

In 1970, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake in Peru claimed an estimated 67,000 lives.

In 1977, the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, three years in the making, was completed.

In 1985, at least 88 people were killed, more than 1,000 injured, as over 40 tornadoes swept through parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Ontario, Canada, during an 8-hour period.

In 1994, the United States announced it was no longer aiming long-range nuclear missiles at targets in the former Soviet Union.