18-21 Elul Yartzeits

18 Elul - R' Yehuda ben Betzalel Loew, the Maharal of Prague. See Heichal HaNegina: The Patience of the Maharal

18 Elul - R' Abdullah Somech, Rebbe of the Ben Ish Chai and head of Iraqi Jewry

19 Elul - Rabeinu Yaakov of Orleans HY"D (1189), a talmid of Rabeinu Tam, he was killed in London at the coronation of Richard the Lion-hearted
19 Elul - R' Hillel Vitkind, Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Hillel in Bnei Brak

19 Elul - R' Moshe Tzvi Aryeh Bick (1990) great posek, his father, ben R' Chaim Yechiel Michel was the last Rov of Mezibuz. Their family had been the heads of the Bais Din in Mezibuz for seven generations, since the days of the Baal Shem Tov. He is buried in Beth David Cemetery on Long Island.

20 Elul - R' Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, R' of Ponevezh, Lithuania, and founder of the Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak (1969)

20 Elul - R' Avrohom ben R' Naftali Hertz Sternhartz (1955), great-grandson of R' Noson of Breslov, he was the leader of Breslov in his time, he wrote Sefer Kochov Lev
20 Elul - R' Eliyahu Lopian (1970), author of Lev Eliyahu, and legendary mashgiach in Kelm and Kfar Chassidim
20 Elul - R' Moshe Aryeh Freund (1996), Av Beis Din of Eida Hachareidis in Yerushalayim

21 Elul - R' Yonoson ben R' Noson Nota Eibeschitz (1764), Rov of Altona, Hamburg and Metz, and author of Kereisi U'Pleisi, Urim VeTumim, and Yaaros Devash

Chai Elul

This Shabbos is, Chai Elul, the birthday of the Baal Shem Tov, who was was born in the year of NaChaS, 5458/1698.

 

It is also the birthday of the first Lubavitcher Rebbe, R' Schneur Zalman of Liadi, known as the Alter Rebbe and the Baal HaTanya. He was born in the year, 5505/1745.

Rabbi Lazer Brody on Ki Savo - Trusting in Hashem

See Ki Savo – Trusting in Hashem, by Rabbi Lazer Brody. It includes a fascinating story that happened last year.

Pidyon Shvuyim - A Phone Call a Day For Jonathan Pollard

There are requests for everyone in the US and abroad to call the White House comment line, between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM EST, once a day, every day, at 202-456-1414 or 202-456-1111, and ask in a respectful way for the release of Jonathan Pollard. Simple, to the point statements, have been suggested, such as, "Please release Jonathan Pollard; 22 years in prison is more than enough."

This is a simple way to be involved in the mitzvah of Pidyon Shvuyim. Even if you're one of those that feel he deserved prison, he did more than enough time, and as a fellow member of Klal Yisroel, we owe it to him. This is besides the fact that he already gave up so many years of his life for doing something that may have saved many lives. You can read more about the case at JonathanPollard.org. Also, most importantly, have Jonathan Pollard in mind in your tefilos – his name is Yehonasan ben Malka.

15-17 Elul Yartzeits

15 Elul - R' Moshe Alshakar, author of Shailos U'Tshuvos Maharam Alshakar and "Kol Bruei Malah U'matah", a piyut of praises to Hashem, featured at the beginning of some siddurim.

15 Elul - R' Chanoch Eiges of Vilna (1941), author of Marcheshes
15 Elul - R' Yaakov Koppel Chassid (1787) ben R' Nechemia Feivel, was the Shliach Tzibur of the Baal Shem Tov and forefather of the Kosov-Vizhnitz dynasty. He was a descendant of R' Ovadia of Bartenura.

 

16 Elul - R' Yitzchok HaKohen Shapiro (1582) father-in-law of Maharam Lublin

16 Elul - R' Avrohom Avigdor Nochum of Strikov (2001) ben R' Yaakov Yitzchok Dan Landau was a talmid of the Brisker Rav and became Rebbe of Strikov after WW II, first in Tel Aviv and then Bnei Brak.

16 Elul - R' Yechi Shnior (1994), talmid of Baba Sali

17 Elul - R' Chaim Benveniste (1673), Rav in Izmir and author of Knesses Hagedola
17 Elul - R' Yaakov Koppel Reich (1900), Av Beis Din of Budapest

Tosfos Study Aid

TosfosinEnglish.com

Tikunei Zohar

There is a minhag to read from Tikunei Zohar, during the month of Elul, and to try to finish it by Yom Kippur. (Sichos HaRan 294, Mateh Ephraim 581). Tikunei Zohar is a part of Zohar, written by Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai, consisting of seventy chapters on the first posuk of the Torah. According to Reb Nachman of Breslov, although the Zohar is extremely holy, the holiness of Tikunei Zohar is even greater. (Chaye Moharan 359)

 

Many tzadikim say one should read Zohar or Tikunei Zohar, even if you don't understand anything, because it is very beneficial to the neshama. Among those that said this or similar statements to this are: Chida, Siddur of R' Koppel, Degel Machane Ephraim, Shearis Yisroel, the Komarna, Pela Yoetz, R' Moshe of Kobrin and Shomrei Emunim. A parable, in regards to reading Zohar without understanding, given by the Degel Machane Ephraim is: "One who enters a perfumery, even if he doesn't take out anything with him, will certainly leave with a pleasent fragrance on him." The Shomrei Emunim says that reading Tikunei Zohar is like a bath for the nefesh.

 

Here is an edition of Tikunei Zohar arranged so one can start at the beginning of Elul and finish Yom Kippur.

Tehilim

See my guest posting on Tehilim at A Simple Jew.

11-13 Elul Yartzeits

11 Elul - R' Sholom Yosef Friedman of Sadiger (1851) oldest son of R' Yisroel of Ruzhin
11 Elul - R' Avrohom Yaakov Friedman of Sadiger (1883) second son of R' Yisroel of Ruzhin

 

12 Elul - R' Shimon of Toledo, son of the Rosh (1342)
12 Elul - R' Simcha Bunim of P'shischa (1827) ben R' Tzvi, talmid of the Chozeh and the Yid HaKodosh

12 Elul R' Moshe Elyokim Briah Hopstein of Koznitz (1828), son of the Kozhnitzer Magid, R' Yisroel
12 Elul - R' Yitzchak Zelasnik, Rosh Yeshiva of Me'or Eliyahu

12 Elul - R' Menachem Menashe (1968) was a great tzadik from Turkey. He wrote Ahavas Chaim, a sefer filled with halacha, mussar and more, including fascinating stories of tzadikim, including many Chassidish Rebbes.  You can read about him here, about halfway through the article.

13 Elul - R' Yosef Chaim of Baghdad (1909) ben Eliyahu, author of Ben Ish Chai and many other seforim
13 Elul - R' Yaakov Yisroel Twerski of Cherkas (1876) ben R' Mordechai of Chernobyl

13 Elul - R' Avrohom Yisochor Ber HaKohen Rabinowitz of Radomsk (1892), wrote Chesed L'Avrohom. He was son of the Tiferes Shlomo, R' Shlomo of Radomsk

Reb Pinchos of Koritz

10 Elul is the yartzeit of the great tzadik, R' Pinchos of Koritz (1790) ben R' Avrohom Abba Shapiro, a descendant of R' Noson Nota Shapiro, the Megaleh Amukos. He was not only one of the greatest talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov, but was also considered a friend of the Baal Shem Tov. His teachings are collected in Medrash Pinchos, Nofes Tzufim and Imrei Pinchas. His talmidim included R' Raphael "der Emesser" of Bershad and the Shpoler Zeide. See A Simple Jew (last year, but worth seeing again) for more.

          *               *               *

The Baal Shem Tov instructed a certain group of chassidim that, after his passing, they should choose for themselves a leader who when asked how to rid oneself of the horrible trait of conceit, will respond that he doesn't know. If someone claims to have the solution, it indicates that he doesn't realize that there are still traces of conceit in his heart. After the Baal Shem Tov's passing, this group traveled around asking different tzadikim this question. They all gave various ways that they felt would help people rid themselves of conceit. Finally, they came to R' Pinchos Koritzer and asked him how to get rid of conceit. He replied, "I am troubled by this same problem and know no way out." And so, they chose Reb Pinchos as their Rebbe.

 

Zchuso Yogen Aleinu

Eizer L'Shabbos - Yomim Noraim Campaign

Please see A Simple Jew's Yomim Noraim Campaign for Eizer L'Shabbos. Donating to this great organization, which helps provide basic food items to the Jews of Tsfas, is a great zchus for us as we approach the Day of Judgement. I recently bumped into Rabbi Binyomin Rosenberg, the founder of Eizer L'Shabbos, who is in the USA raising funds, and he told me of the desperate need for funds for the upcoming Yomim Tovim. Tizku L'Mitzvos!

Who is a Tzadik Gamur?

The Kav Hayashar, Chapter 52, relates stories about people who made themselves look extremely religious, though were really very low individuals. One story is about a man who would sit in Shul all day, wrapped in his talis and tefilin, learning and davening. He seemed like a real tzadik, but it turned out that he and his wife were great sinners; they even ate chometz on Pesach and they ate on Yom Kippur. In the end they converted out of the faith. He also relates a story about a woman that made herself out to be so modest, even telling her husband she didn't want to go out of the house, for fear of enticing men. She turned out to be an adulterer, and was beheaded by the king.

 

He ends off the chapter saying that from these stories we see that one shouldn't rely on what he sees with his eyes.  (Don't judge a book by its cover.) If you want to know who is definitely a upright Tzadik, see who deals in business honestly and with emuna. If you see someone who "acts" very religious, but doesn't conduct himself properly in business, then distance yourself from him in every possible way, because the main yirah and tzidkus is in money dealings. He then states a second time that one who acts righteously in monetary matters is a "Tzadik Gamur".

Seder Hayom - A Day in the Life of a Breslover Chasid

The sefer, Seder Hayom, translated into English. can be seen here.

 

It is a small sefer, which explains how to apply the teachings of Reb Nachman of Breslov to daily life. It was written by Reb Yitzchok Breiter HY"D, one of the great Breslover Chassidim of his day. Unfortunately, he was murdered in Treblinka, al Kiddush Hashem. He composed the song, Chidush Kemoso, in praise of Reb Nachman, and also a prayer asking to merit traveling to Uman. In addition to Seder Hayom, he wrote Amudei Emunah, on the subject of emunah. Both of these are available, together in one volume, translated into English, from Breslov Research Institute, titled: The Seven Pillars of Faith/A Day in the Life of a Breslover Chasid.  

 

 

 

Elul Links

HebrewBooks.org: Bnei Yisoschor (PDF) on Elul contains many fascinating insights. (Starts from P. 334 in this version)

 

Breslov Research Institute: Rosh Hashana in Uman explains everything you wanted to know about Uman Rosh Hashana.

 

Breslov Center: Rav Elazar Kenig on Rosh Hashanah Part I (PDF)

 

Breslov Center: Rav Elazar Kenig on Rosh Hashanah SPECIAL ADDITIONS (PDF)

 

Breslov Center: Elul-Tishrei Through Chanukah Customs and Practices (PDF)

3-9 Elul Yartzeits

3 Elul - R' Yissochor Bertcha Leifer of Nadvorna (1848) ben R' Yitzchok of Kalish was a great-grandson of R' Meir "HaGadol" of Premishlan
3 Elul - R' Yitzchok Yeshaya Halberstam HY"D of Tchechoiv (1943) was the youngest son of R' Chaim of Sanz
3 Elul - R' Moshe Friedman HY"D of Boyan-Krakow (1943) ben R' Sholom Yosef
3 Elul - R' Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz was the legendary head of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and founder of Torah Umesorah. He used to ask to be called Mister Mendlowitz, to which one of the great tzadikim said, his name is "Nister" Mendlowitz

3 Elul – R' Avrohom Yitzchok HaKohen Kook (1935)

3 Elul – R' Sholom Eichenstein of Zidichov-Tsfas (1988) ben R' Asher Yeshaya

.

4 Elul - R' Meir Simcha Hakohen of Dvinsk (1926) ben R' Shimshon Klonomus, author of Ohr Someach and Meshech Chochma
4 Elul - R' Aryeh Leib Tumim, author of Gur Aryeh

4 Elul – R' Eliyahu Kramer, grandfather of the Vilna Gaon

.
5 Elul - R' Dovid Tzvi Shlomo ben R' Elazar Menachem Mendel Biderman (1918), Lelover Rebbe, buried on Har Hazeisim

5 Elul - R' Moshe Ahron ben R' Chaim Pinto, great tzadik who lived in Ashdod

.

6 Elul - R' Yom Tov Lipman Heller (1654), author of Tosfos Yom Tov
6 Elul - R' Yekusiel Yehuda Teitelbaum of Sighet (1883) ben R' Elazar Nisan, author of Yetev Lev, Yetev Ponim, Avnei Tzedek and Rav Tov L'Beis Yisroel. He was a grandson of the Yismach Moshe and grandfather of the Satmar Rebbe
6 Elul - R' Moshe Mintz, author of Shailos U'Tshuvos Maharam Mintz
6 Elul - R' Yechezkel Sarna (1969), Rosh Yeshiva of Chevron, great tzadik and talmid of the Chofetz Chaim and Slabodka
6 Elul - R' Meir Zvi Ehrentreu, Manchester Yeshiva Rosh Kollel and Rosh
Yeshiva

.
7 Elul - R' Reuven Margolios, author of Margolios Hayom and many other
seforim

7 Elul – R' Eliyahu (1859), father of the Ben Ish Chai
7 Elul - R' Aryeh Leib Lopian, Rosh Yeshivas Gateshead

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8 Elul – R' Shlomo ben R' Yosef Karo (1889) was Rov in Saana, Yemen

8 Elul - R' Michoel Ashkenazi (1889) was a Rov in Aram Soba, Syria

.

9 Elul - Dan ben Yaakov Avinu (also birthday)
9 Elul - R' Tzadok ben R' Yaakov HaKohen Rabinowitz of Lublin (1900), author of Pri Tzaddik, Tzidkas HaTzadik and numerous other seforim.
9 Elul - R' Nachum Mordechai ben R' Alter Yisroel Shimon Perlow of Novominsk (1976) was a descendant, ben acher ben, from R' Mordechai of Neshchiz. His son, R' Yaakov is the current Novominsker Rebbe.
9 Elul - R' Yonoson Shteif (1958), Viener Rov and renown posek

1-2 Elul Yartzeits

1 Elul – R' Dovid HaNagid (1300) ben R' Avrohom ben Rambam

1 Elul – R' Chanoch Henoch Dov of Alesk ben R' Shmuel (1884), the Lev Sameach, was a son-in-law of the Sar Sholom of Belz in his first marriage and in his second marriage was a son-in-law of R' Meir ben R' Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev

 

2 Elul – R' Yitzchak Bar Sheshes, the Rivash (1408)

2 Elul – R' Eliezer ben R' Yisroel Hager, the Damesek Eliezer of Vizhnitz (1946) He is buried on Har Hazeisim.
2 Elul – R' Shmuel Dovid Walkin (1979) was Rov in Shanghai during WWII and later in Queens, NY. He was the son of the Pinsker Rov, the Bais Aharon.

Shachris with the Skulener Rebbe Brings Success

The following story was told over by Reb Shlomo Mandel, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva of Brooklyn:

 

He has a relative, a diamond dealer, who was walking to the train station, in order to get to a very important business meeting. As he passed by the Skulener Beis HaMedrash, a man asked him to help the Skulener Rebbe, Reb Eliezer Zusia Portugal, complete a minyan for Shachris. The diamond dealer, who, of course, had already davened, responded that he was in a hurry, but the man convinced him to stay and help the Rebbe's minyan. He walked into the Shul and saw that they were still short the required ten for a minyan, but he was there already, so he stuck around. They finally gathered the required ten men and started to daven at the Rebbes usual deliberate pace. The man kept glancing at his watch and realized that he was going to miss his important business meeting. At this point, he couldn't leave and ruin the minyan, so he stayed.

 

To make a long story short, he missed his important meeting. However, that day turned out to be his most successful day in business ever, despite missing an important meeting. Reb Shlomo Mandel concluded, "after a Shachris with the Skulener Rebbe, of course it was his most successful day in business."

 

Reb Eliezer Zusia ben Reb Yisroel Avrohom

Zchuso Yogen Aleinu

Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul

Monday is Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul. Every Erev Rosh Chodesh is considered a special time for teshuva and is called Yom Kippur Koton. There is a special order of prayers added by Mincha, which is said by many people. Additionally, some fast a whole day or a half-day, till after Mincha. Those that fast read Vayichal and say Aneinu, like on a regular fast day.

 

Mateh Epraim says that on Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, many who never say these prayers the rest of the year, recite them now. Shaar Yisoschor explains, because on this day (40 days before Yom Kippur) Hashem forgave Klal Yisroel for the golden calf, and Moshe Rabbeinu ascended to receive the second set of Luchos. In Eretz Yisroel, many go to the Chevron, the Meoras Hamachpela, or to Meron, by Rebbe Shimon bar Yochai, to recite the Yom Kippur Koton tefilos.

 

Nitei Gavriel brings down, whether or not one says the Yom Kippur Koton tefilos, EVERYONE has to do teshuva,

Beard,Beard, Where Was Your Jew?

Reb Elimelech Tress, better know as Mike Tress, was a successful businessman, who gave it all up to help rescue Jews during WW II. For the rest of his life, he devoted himself to helping his fellow Jews. He was greatly respected by all the Torah leaders of his time, including the Satmar Rebbe. A chosid of the Satmar Rebbe once had the nerve to ask him why he admires a man who doesn't have a beard, since Mike Tress was clean shaven.

 

The Satmar Rav answered him: "When Mike Tress goes before the heavenly court, they will ask him, 'Jew, Jew, where was your beard?' But, when you come before the Heavenly throne, they will ask you, 'Beard,Beard, where was your Jew?' "

26-29 Av Yartzeits

26 Av-  R' Yaakov Meshulam Orenstein (1839), Rov of Lvov and author of Yeshuos Yaakov

26 Av - R' Yehuda Fatiyah (1942) was a talmid of the Ben Ish Chai.

26 Av - R' Yoel ben R' Chananya Yom-Tov Teitelbaum (1979), the Satmar Rebbe, author of VaYoel Moshe and Divrei Yoel, he is buried in Kiryas Joel (Monroe), NY.

26 Av - R' Meir Ashkenazi (1954) Rov of Shanghai

26 Av - R' Eliyahu Baruch Goldschmidt, Mashgiach Ruchni Yeshiva Gedolah
Zichron Moshe of South Fallsburg (2000)

27 Av - R' Yehoshua Charif of Cracow, author of Maginei Shlomo (1648)

27 Av - R' Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin (1893) the Nitziv, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin, he married the grandaughter of Reb Chaim Volozhiner, author of Ha'emek davar, Ha'emek She'ela and Meshiv Davar
27 Av - R' Yehuda Fattiah, Iraqi Gadol and mekubal, author of Beis Lechem
Yehuda (1941)

R' Yehuda Pettiyah (1942) was a great mekubal and author of 15 seforim, including Beis Lechem Yehuda and Yayin HaRokeach
27 Av - R' Shmuel Tzvi Hirsh Horowitz, known as Reb Heshele of Spinka (1997)
27 Av - R' Avrohom Mordechai ben R' Yitzchok Meir Alter, son of the Chiddushei Harim, father of
the Sfas Emes

 

28 Av - R' Avrohom Yaakov ben R' Meir HaKohen Pam (2001) was the Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vadaas and founded the Shuvu organization. He was one of those that was loved by all. He is buried in Mount Judah Cemetery in Queens, NY.

 

29 Av - R' Shmuel ben R' Yosef Zundel Salanter (1909) Rov of Yerushalayim.

29 Av - R' Menachem Mendel Alter HY"D (1942), Went to his death in Treblinka with "yishuv hadaas, tzidkus and prishus". He was a son of the Sgas Emes, R' Yehuda Aryeh Leib.

29 Av - R' Eliezer Zusia ben R' Yisroel Avrohom Portugal (1982), the Skulener Rebbe was a talmid of the Stefanishter Rebbe. After moving to the USA he founded the Cheseed L'Avrohom orginization. He is buried in the Vizhnitzer Cemetery in Monsey, NY. His son, R' Yisroel Avrohom, the present Skulener Rebbe, is one of the most respected tzadikim around today.

Q&A - Becoming a Breslover

See A Simple Jew: Question & Answer With A Yid - Becoming A Breslover Chassid

24-25 Av Yartzeits

24 Av - R' Ephraim Zalman ben R' Menachem Margolies (1828), Av Beis Din of Brod and author of many sefarim, including Beis Ephraim, Olelos Ephraim and Mateh Ephraim, which is perhaps most famous, contains all the halachos pertaing to Elul and Tishrei. (1828)

25 Av - R' Yeshayahu Menachem ben R' Yitzchok of Cracow (1599), originator of the Heter Iska

23 Av - The Steipler Gaon

23 Av is the yartzeit of R' Yaakov Yisroel ben R' Chaim Peretz Kanievsky, the Steipler Gaon (1985), author of Kehillas Yaakov. His father was a chosid of R' Yaakov Yisroel of Cherkass, and named him after his Rebbe. The Steipler's son R' Chaim shlita is one of the Gedolei Hador today.

Erev Shabbos Ekev Links

Mazel Tov to Dixie Yid on the birth of a baby girl.

 

See A Simple Jew for his post on Degel Machane Ephraim, Parshas Ekev.

Segula to get Tefilos Answered

Bava Kama 92a says that if one prays for another's particular need, such as health, parnasa, shiduch, etc., and you need help in the same area, you will be answered first. There is an organization called Kol Hamitpalel, a free service, dedicated to this. The way it works is that you call up and give a description of the situation you need help in. They will give you the name of someone in a similar situation to daven for and you give them your Hebrew name to daven for. The only thing they ask is that when you are helped, you call to tell them so they can take you off the list. This is a segula straight from Gemara. It is free and anonymous.

 

You can reach Kol Hamitpalel at 646-294-4355 or email: connect (at) kolhamitpalel (dot) com

19-22 Av - Yartzeits

19 Av - R' Yaakov ben R' Machir Culi, author of Me'am Loez (1732) Here is an article on him, by R' Aryeh Kaplan.
19 Av - R' Naftali of Nemerov (1860) One of the closest talmidim of Reb Nachman of Breslov and one of the two witnesses to the promise about reciting Tikun HaKlali at R' Nachman's kever.

19 Av - R' Shimon Sholom ben R' Menachem Kalisch of Amshinov (1954)
19 Av - R' Menachem Nachum ben R' Yitzchok Friedman of Boyan (1936)

 

20 Av - R' Yehuda Zerachya Azulai (1870) was a great-grandson of the Chida

20 Av - R' Eliezer of Uzipoli (1865) ben R' Yehuda Tzvi of Stretin

20 Av - R' Levi Yitzchok  ben R' Boruch Schneur Schneerson (1944) was father of the last Lubavitcher Rebbe, R' Menachem Mendel.

21 Av - R' Chaim ben R' Yosef Dov Ber Soloveitchik, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin and Rav of Brisk (1918)
21 Av - R' Ahron ben R' Yisachor Dov Rokeach, the Belzer Rebbe (1957) From the greatest tzadikim of his time. The numerous stories of his tzidkus and miracles are legendary. Many of the great tzadikim in Eretz Yisroel, from all segments, were very close to him. He lost his whole family to the Nazis y's. The fascinating story of his escape can be read in Rescuing the Rebbe of Belz.
21 Av - R' Alexander Sender of Komarna (1818) ben R' Yitzchok Issac was a talmid of the Chozeh of Lublin

21 Av - R' Dovid Hager of Zebultov (1848) ben R' Menachem Mendel of Kosov was a son-in-law of R' Moshe Leib of Sasov. He wrote Tzemach Dovid.

 

22 Av - R' Mordechai ben R' Hillel, the "Mordechai"HY"D (1298) killed during the Rindfleisch pogroms

22 Av - R' Meir Hagadol of Premishlan (1773) ben R' Yaakov "Tam" was one of the great talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov. The Nadvorna dynasty, with it's many offshoots descend from him. His grandson was the famous R' Meir'l of Premishlan
22 Av - R' Eliyahu Dushnitzer (1949), mashgiach of Lomza Yeshiva, Petach Tikva. The Chazon Ish is reported to have said that he was one of the 36 "hidden tzadikim". He was a talmid of the Chofetz Chaim and one of the ones chosen to get the dibbuk out of a woman, in the well know story told over by R' Elchonon Wasserman.

18 Av - R' Shlomo Chanoch HaKohen of Radomsk HY"D

18 Av is the yartzeit of R' Shlomo Chanoch HaKohen of Radomsk HY"D ben R' Yechezkel. A great-grandson of the Tiferes Shlomo, he was murdered in Warsaw in 1942.