This Day in History

4 Shevat

Yahrtzeiten

5567/1807, Harav Moshe Leib of Sassov, zt”l

5570/1810, Harav Avraham of Kalisk, zt”l

5576/1816, Harav Dovid of Brod, zt”l

5664/1904, Harav Avraham Eliezer Mintzberg, zt”l, Rav of Yuzefof

5726/1966, Harav Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg, zt”l, mechaber of Seridei Aish

5744/1984, Harav Yisrael Abuchatzeira, zt”l, the Baba Sali

5647/1887

Harav Menachem Nachum Twersky, zt”l, of Trisk-Brisk

Harav Menachem Nachum Twersky was the oldest son of Harav Avraham, the Trisker Maggid, who was the son of Harav Mordechai of Chernobyl, the Chernobyler Maggid. He was born on 22 Nissan, Acharon shel Pesach, 5589/1829. He was named for his great-grandfather, the Meor Einayim of Chernobyl.

He married the daughter of his uncle, Harav Dovid of Tolna.

Reb Menachem Nachum founded his own court during the lifetime of his father, in Brisk. He was on good terms with all residents of the city (many of whom were misnagdim); all held Reb Menachem Nachum in the highest esteem.

Reb Menachem Nachum was known as one of the leading tzaddikim of his generation and was especially noted for his mofsim; thousands traveled to his court, seeking his brachos and yeshuos.

Reb Menachem Nachum was niftar on 4 Shevat 5647/1887 at the age of 58. He predeceased his father, who was niftar about two years later, on 2 Tammuz 5649/1889.

Zechuso yagen aleinu.

Jan. 15

In 1777, the people of New Connecticut declared their independence. The republic later became the state of Vermont.

In 1862, the U.S. Senate confirmed President Abraham Lincoln’s choice of Edwin M. Stanton to be the new Secretary of War, replacing Simon Cameron.

In 1943, work was completed on the Pentagon, headquarters of the U.S. Department of War (now Defense).

In 1961, a U.S. Air Force radar tower off the New Jersey coast collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean during a severe storm, killing all 28 men aboard.

In 1973, President Richard Nixon announced the suspension of all U.S. offensive action in North Vietnam, citing progress in peace negotiations.

In 1993, in Paris, a historic disarmament ceremony ended with the last of 125 countries signing a treaty banning chemical weapons.

In 2009, US Airways Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger ditched his Airbus 320 in the Hudson River after a flock of birds disabled both engines; all 155 people aboard survived.