This Day in History – 4 Elul/August 19

In 5151/1391, Jews of Barcelona, Spain, were massacred by attacking mobs. Hy”d.

Yahrtzeiten

5336/1576, Harav Moshe Porbinchalo of Montova, zt”l, author of She’eilos U’teshuvos Maharam Porbinchalo

5591/1831, Harav Aryeh Leib Teomim, zt”l, author of Gur Aryeh

5654/1894, Harav Moshe Idan, zt”l, one of the chachamim of Djerba, author of Tiferes Moshe

5674/1914, Harav Nesanel Fried, zt”l, author of Pnei Meivin

5701/1941, Harav Yosef Meir Polak of Bergsas, Hy”d

5686/1926, Harav Meir Simchah Hacohen of Dvinsk, zt”l, mechaber of Ohr Same’ach and Meshech Chochmah

Harav Meir Simchah was born in Baltrimantz near Vilna in 5603/1843. His father, Harav Shimshon Klonimus, was an outstanding talmid chacham who was very wealthy and well known for his hospitality.

Rav Meir of Tiktin, and the Rav of Baltrimantz blessed Rav Shimshon Klonimus and his wife, the two blessings were realized with the birth of a boy, whom they named Meir Simchah, in honor of the two Rabbanim.

In 5620/1880, Harav Meir Simchah married Rebbetzin Chayah, the daughter of the wealthy Reb Tzvi Paltiel Makovsky of Bialystok.

In time, his Rebbetzin opened a business, enabling her husband to continue his studies undisturbed.

Reb Meir Simchah remained in Bialystok for 23 years. Though he was offered many prestigious rabbinical positions during that time he refused them all.

Later Reb Meir Simchah became the non-chassidic Rav of Dvinsk, while Harav Yosef Rosen, the Gaon of Rogatchov, became Rav of its chassidic community.

The relationship between these two Gedolim was unique, and each would comment on the other’s greatness in Torah.

On 4 Elul 5686/1926, Harav Meir Simchah passed away. He was niftar in Riga, and the Jews of Riga demanded that he be buried in their city, while the Jews of Dvinsk insisted that he be buried in their city. Harav Menachem Mendel Zak, the Rav of Riga, ruled in favor of Dvinsk.

He was buried in Dvinsk, and later the Rogatchover Gaon was buried next to him.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

August 19

In 1812, the USS Constitution defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere off Nova Scotia during the War of 1812, earning the nickname “Old Ironsides.”

In 1814, during the War of 1812, British forces landed at Benedict, Maryland, with the objective of capturing Washington, D.C.

In 1934, a vote in Germany approved the vesting of sole executive power in Adolf Hitler.

In 1991, Soviet hard-liners announced that President Gorbachev had been removed from power. (The coup attempt collapsed two days later.)