This Day in History – 27 Sivan/June 5

27 Sivan

In 5082/1322, the second expulsion of Jews from France took place.

In 5550/1790, the Jews of Florence, Italy, miraculously escaped from a mob. A Purim was duly celebrated.

In 5793/1933, Heinrich Himmler, ym”s, was appointed chief of German police.

In 5701/1941, the Nazis began Operation Barbarossa, a forceful attack on many Russian-occupied territories that were home to over 1.5 million Jews. The radio blasted messages inciting the local population against the Jews, and flyers were distributed urging them to kill the Jews even before the Nazis arrived.

Yahrtzeiten

Rabi Chanina ben Teradyon, another of the 10 harugei malchus. A taanis tzaddikim marks the event (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 580). When the Romans discovered him teaching Torah, they wrapped him in a Torah scroll and piled bundles of twigs around him. Before setting him afire, they placed damp woolen cloths on him to prolong the agony of being burned to death.

5504/1744, Harav Meir Eisenstadt, zt”l, the Panim Me’iros

5643/1883, Harav Mordechai Meltzer, zt”l, mechaber of Techeiles Mordechai

5701/1941

Harav Moshe Yechiel Elimelech Rabinowitz, zy”a, Hy”d, of Levertov

Harav Moshe Yechiel Elimelech Rabinowitz was the son of Harav Nosson David of Partzova, who was the son of the Divrei Binah of Biala. He was born in 5655/1895, in Biala.

He was zocheh to be brought up by his grandfather, the Divrei Binah, until the age of 10. His mother was the daughter of Harav Yechiel Yaakov of Kozhnitz; she passed away when he was a child.

From his youngest years, Reb Moshe Yechiel was noted for his talents, notably for his sharp mind. He dedicated himself to learning despite the problems of his youth, such as being orphaned and hungry.

At the age of 16, Reb Moshe Yechiel married the daughter of Harav Yisrael Shapira of Grodzinsk, the Emunas Yisrael.

He began releasing his sefarim shortly after he married. Some of these sefarim were written when he was just 13 years old, showing his lofty madreigah, as is discernible by the topics which he discusses in his sefarim. Reb Moshe Yechiel continued to write all his life, even after he was appointed Rebbe. Many of his sefarim are based on the works of the Maharal and his pattern of deep thought.

Following the petirah of his father on 7 Shevat 5690/1930, Reb Moshe Yechiel was appointed Rebbe. He settled in Levertov, a suburb of Lublin. His other brother, Harav Baruch Yerachmiel, was Rebbe in Munkacz.

Reb Moshe Yechiel was noted for his greatness, and his court attracted many chassidim. Reb Moshe Yechiel especially tried to draw close the youth, fearing the spiritual losses they could endure in the outer world. He tried to encourage even those who had already slightly distanced themselves from the chassidic ways and drew them back on the path.

Among his noted chassidim was Harav Shimon of Zelichov, the famed Mashgiach in Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin. Although Reb Shimon was many years older than the Rebbe, he was utterly devoted to him. Reb Shimon would also send his talmidim to Reb Moshe Yechiel.

Reb Moshe Yechiel was close with many of the generation’s Rebbes, who held him in highest esteem. He was known for his many mofsim, and many petitioners came to him for yeshuos.

When the Nazis took over Poland, they came to Levertov. As they did in many cities, they first sought to kill the Rabbanim. Reb Moshe Yechiel fled to Lublin, barely escaping the Nazis. His wife took ill and passed away in Lublin. When he got up from shivah, Reb Moshe Yechiel decided to move to Demtchaba, which was under Russian rule, where he had a summer home. He stayed there for nearly two years, until the city was taken over by the Nazis.

On Motzoei Shabbos parashas Shelach, 27 Sivan, Reb Moshe Yechiel was eating melaveh malkah with his children by the light of a dimmed candle. The Nazis suddenly barged into the house and shot them all point-blank. Hashem yinkom damam.

Reb Moshe Yechiel’s children who were killed with him were his sons Reb Yitzchak and Reb Chaim, and his daughter Reizel. He was 46 at his death.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

June 5

In 1794, Congress passed the Neutrality Act, which prohibited Americans from taking part in any military action against a country that was at peace with the United States.

In 1916, the Arab Revolt against Turkish Ottoman rule began during World War I.

In 1933, the United States went off the gold standard.

In 1940, during the World War II Battle of France, Germany attacked French forces along the Somme line.

In 1947, Secretary of State George C. Marshall gave a speech at Harvard University in which he outlined an aid program for Europe that came to be known as the Marshall Plan.

In 1950, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Henderson v. United States, struck down racially segregated railroad dining cars.

In 1967, war erupted in the Mideast as Israel raided military aircraft parked on the ground in Egypt; Syria, Jordan and Iraq entered the conflict.

In 1968, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles’ Ambassador Hotel after claiming victory in California’s Democratic presidential primary. Gunman Sirhan Bishara Sirhan was immediately arrested.

In 1976, 14 people were killed when the Teton Dam in Idaho burst.

In 2004, Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, died in Los Angeles at age 93 after a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease.