This Day in History

7 Shevat

Yahrtzeiten

2449/1312 B.C.E., Moshe Rabbeinu, according to the Yalkut Shimoni

5347/1587, Harav Naftali Hersh Shor, zt”l, Dayan of Brisk and Lublin

5485/1725, Harav David Nito, zt”l

5541/1781, Harav Yisrael Charif of Satinav, the Ateres Tiferes Yisrael, zt”l

5574/1814, Harav David of Lelov, zt”l

5590/1830, Harav Nosson David of Partzova, zt”l

5603/1843, Harav Mordechai Dovid Ungar of Dombrova, zt”l

5656/1896, Harav Yerucham Yehudah Leib Perlman of Minsk, zt”l

8 Shevat

In 5108/1348, Jews of Colmar, France, were arrested in response to a libelous accusation that they had poisoned a well. They were burned al kiddush Hashem several months later.

In 5729/1969, nine Jews were publicly executed al kiddush Hashem in Damascus, Syria.

Yahrtzeiten

5574/1814, Harav Tzvi of Butchatch, zt”l, mechaber of Neta Shaashuim

5633/1873, Harav Shmuel of Shinev, zt”l, mechaber of Ramasayim Tzofim

5738/1978, Harav Yosef Meir Kahana, zt”l, the Spinka Rebbe of Yerushalayim


5651/1891

Harav Yitzchak Aharon Itinga of Lvov, zt”l, mechaber of She’eilos U’Teshuvos Mahariya Halevi

Harav Yitzchak Aharon Halevi Itinga was the son of Harav Mordechai Ze’ev, the mechaber of Mefarshei Hayam and other sefarim. He was born on 11 Sivan 5587/1827 in Lvov (Lemberg).

As a young child, he was noted for his excellence in learning and for his amazing memory.

At the age of 13, he delivered a drashah in the main shul of Lvov; this was an extraordinary event. The Rav of the city, Harav Yaakov Orenstein, who was also the uncle of Reb Yitzchak Aharon, was present during the drashah, and, together with the many others who were at the drashah, were astounded and spellbound by the young bachur’s memory and command of the entire Torah. A few days later, he awarded his nephew with a letter, which included his semichah, noting his mastery of halachah.

Reb Yitzchak Aharon was known for his exemplary middos, especially his humility.

At a young age, he was appointed Rav of Premislau.

After the petirah of Harav Tzvi Hirsh Orenstein, Rav of Lvov, Reb Yitzchak Aharon was appointed to replace him as Rav.

As the head of the most prestigious community in the area, Reb Yitzchak Aharon also held the position of Nasi of Eretz Yisrael, and was responsible for the collection and distribution of all tzedakah funds earmarked for the poor of Eretz Yisrael.

Reb Yitzchak Aharon was sent many halachic she’eilos from all over; these grew into his She’eilos U’teshuvos Mahariya Halevi.

He was niftar on 7 Shevat 5651/1891, at the age of 64.

Zecher tzaddik livrachah.


The Big Four of the Allies chat while gathering in Versailles for the Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War I, in this 1919 photo. They are (L-R) David Lloyd George of Great Britain, Vittorio Orlando of Italy, Georges Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson, United States President. (AP Photo)
The Big Four of the Allies chat while gathering in Versailles for the Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War I, in this 1919 photo. They are (L-R) David Lloyd George of Great Britain, Vittorio Orlando of Italy, Georges Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson, United States President. (AP Photo)

Jan. 18

In 1778, English navigator Captain James Cook reached the present-day Hawaiian Islands, which he named the “Sandwich Islands.”

In 1871, William I of Prussia was proclaimed German Emperor in Versailles, France.

In 1911, the first landing of an aircraft on a ship took place as pilot Eugene B. Ely brought his Curtiss biplane in for a safe landing on the deck of the armored cruiser USS Pennsylvania in San Francisco Harbor.

In 1919, the Paris Peace Conference, held to negotiate peace treaties ending World War I, opened in Versailles, France.

In 1943, during World War II, Jewish insurgents in the Warsaw Ghetto launched their initial armed resistance against Nazi troops, who eventually succeeded in crushing the rebellion.

In 1957, a trio of B-52s completed the first non-stop, round-the-world flight by jet planes, landing at March Air Force Base in California after more than 45 hours aloft.

In 2005, the Airbus A380, the world’s largest commercial jet, was unveiled at a ceremony in Toulouse, France

In 2007, the strongest storm in the United Kingdom in 17 years killed 14 people; Germany witnessed its worst storm since 1999 with 13 deaths. Hurricane Kyrill caused at least 44 deaths across 20 countries in Western Europe.

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