This Day in History

12 Iyar

In 3830/70 C.E., Roman legions under Titus breached the middle wall of Yerushalayim; a counter-attack by the Jews restored the wall to their command.

In 5162/1402, the pope granted certain liberal privileges to the Jews of Rome.

Yahrtzeiten

5668/1908, the Mekubal Harav Masud Abuchatzeira, zt”l, father of the Baba Sali

5669/1909, Harav Yehudah Tzvi Eichenstein of Dolina, zt”l

5515/1755

Harav Zorach Eideletz of Prague, zt”l

Harav Zorach was orphaned in his youth and was raised in
the home of Harav Yonasan Eibschutz, zt”l. Reb Yonasan guarded the young orphan like the apple of his eye, and treated him like a beloved son. Realizing the lad’s genius, Reb Yonasan nurtured him and studied with him, and he soon grew to be one of the town’s iluyim.

With time, Reb Zorach was accepted as a dayan and darshan in Prague, the capital of Bohemia. His arrival heralded a major flourishing of Torah in Prague, and many talmidim from all over the continent came to learn Torah under his guidance.

When the Noda BiYehudah, Harav Yechezkel Landau, zt”l, was ordained Rav of the city, for some reason Reb Zorach did not sign on the official letter of Rabbanus. The Noda BiYehudah remarked, “Until Reb Zorach signs the document, the whole rabbanus is worthless to me.” Indeed, Reb Zorach signed it, and they maintained a very close friendship throughout the years.

Reb Zorach wrote a number of sefarim, among which are Ohr Layesharim, Birurei Hamiddos and Meleches Machsheves.

He maintained a unique minhag throughout his life — never to accept any gifts. A certain Reb Yisrael was in charge of collecting taxes in Prague, and since Reb Zorach was wealthy, he named a respectable sum as his annual obligation. Times changed, however, and Reb Zorach’s wheel of fortune turned downward. The tax collector, however, continued to collect the usual sum from Reb Zorach.

Reb Zorach did not object and kept paying, until at one point he simply could not raise the money he owed. When the tax collector realized the unfair tax burden Reb Zorach had assumed, he immediately wished to repay the Rav and sent him a huge container of golden coins. As was his custom, the Rav did not accept the “gift.” The tax collector insisted and threatened that he would not cancel the current tax bill until the Rav allowed him to right a wrong that he had inadvertently perpetuated.

Without a choice, Reb Zorach acceded, but during his lifetime the box remained untouched. In his will, Reb Zorach instructed his children to return the box to Reb Yisrael the tax collector!

Reb Zorach was niftar on 12 Iyar 5515/1755 (according to some, on 5 Iyar).

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

April 22

In 1864, Congress authorized the use of the phrase “In G-d We Trust” on U.S. coins.

In 1889, the Oklahoma Land Rush began at noon as thousands of homesteaders staked claims.

In 1912, the United States Chamber of Commerce had its beginnings with a National Commercial Conference held in Washington, D.C.

In 1930, the United States, Britain and Japan signed the London Naval Treaty, which regulated submarine warfare and limited shipbuilding.

In 1938, 45 workers were killed in a coal mine explosion at Keen Mountain in Buchanan County, Va.

In 1944, during World War II, U.S. forces began invading Japanese-held New Guinea with amphibious landings at Hollandia and Aitape.

In 1970, millions of Americans concerned about the environment observed the first “Earth Day.”

In 1983, the West German news magazine Stern announced the discovery of 60 volumes of personal diaries purportedly written by Adolf Hitler, ym”s; however, the diaries turned out to be a hoax.

In 1993, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was dedicated in Washington, D.C., to honor victims of Nazi genocide.

In 1994, Richard M. Nixon, the 37th president of the United States, died in a New York hospital four days after suffering a stroke; he was 81.

In 1997, in Peru, government commandos stormed the Japanese ambassador’s residence, ending a 126-day hostage crisis; all 14 Tupac Amaru rebels were killed, all 72 hostages were rescued (one died later of gunshot wounds).