Sunday, December 28, 2008

Teves Yartzeits

1 Teves - Avrohom Avinu (Bava Basra 91a). 1 Tishrei or 1 Nissan according to others (Moed Katan 28a)
1 Teves - R' Yair Chaim ben R' Moshe Shimshon Bachrach (1702) author of Chavos Yair and Rov of Worms. He was a descendant of the Maharal.
1 Teves - R' Yosef Hamaaravi, Baal Mofes and talmid of the Arizal, buried in Kfar Elchamama in Tunisia
1 Teves - R' Avrohom Moshe ben R' Simcha Bunim of Peshischa (1828)
1 Teves - R' Moasoud Refoel Alfasi (1774) Great tzadik of Morocco and Tunisia
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2 Teves - R' Yaakov Ibn Tzur, author of Mishpat U'Tzedaka L'Yaakov
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3 Teves - R' Chaim Leib ben R' Refoel Alter Shmuelevitz (1978), Legendary Rosh Yeshiva of the Mirrer Yeshiva
3 Teves - R' Avrohom ben R' Yehuda Tzvi Brandwein of Stretin (1864)
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4 Teves - R' Gershon Chanoch Henoch Leiner of Radzin (1890) ben R' Yaakov of Izhbitza was the The Baal Hatecheles and author of many seforim

4 Teves - R' Chaim Shaul HaKohen Dweck (1933) One of the great Syrian mekubalim of Yerushalayim. Rosh Yeshiva of Beit El.
4 Teves - R' Yaakov Shaul Kassin, head of New York Syrian community
4 Teves - R' Mordechai Pinchos Teitz (1995), Rov of Elizabeth, New Jersey.

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5 Teves - R' Shlomo Molcho HY"D (1534), arrested by the Inquisition in Spain, he recited
Shema with great joy as he was burned at the stake.

5 Teves - R' Ahron of Titiev (1828) ben R' Tzvi ben R' Yisroel Baal Shem Tov

5 Teves - R' Avrohom Yaakov ben R' Yisroel Friedman of Sadigur (1960)

5 Teves - R' Yerachmiel Tzvi ben R' Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowitz (2003) Biala-Peshischa Rebbe of Har Nof

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6 Teves - R' Yechezkel Shraga Halberstam of Shiniva (1895) ben R' Chaim of Sanz, author of Divrei Yechezkel
6 Teves - R' Yaakov Reischer, author of Chok Yaakov and Shvus Yaakov
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7 Teves - R' Moshe Dovid Vally, talmid of the Ramchal, who wrote a Kabalistic peirush on Tanach
7 Teves - R' Boruch of Kaminka, talmid of the Baal Shem Tov
7 Teves - R' Tzvi of Mezhibuz-Pinsk (1779) ben R' Yisroel Baal Shem Tov
7 Teves - R' Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izhbitza (1878) ben R' Yaakov
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8 Teves - R' Yechezkel HaLevi Halshtuk HY"D of Ostrovtza (1942) ben R' Yechiel Meir (some have the date as 10 Teves)
8 Teves - R' Shmuel Hellman (1765) was the Rov of Metz, France
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9 Teves - Ezra Hasofer (320 B.C.E.)
9 Teves - Nechemia ben Chachilya (372 B.C.E.)
9 Teves - R' Yehosef HaLevy (1067) ben R' Shmuel HaNagid
9 Teves - R' Ezra (1227), one of the Baalei Tosefos and Rebbe of the Ramban
9 Teves - R' Avrohom Chaim Shur (1632) author of Tzon Kedoshim
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10 Teves - Zecharia ben Berachya ben Idu Hanavi
10 Teves - Malachi Hanavi, end of the era of prophecy (317 B.C.E.)
10 Teves - R' Nosson ben R' Naftali Hertz Sternhartz of Breslov (1844), the leading talmid of R' Nachman of Breslov, compiler and author of many seforim. See
Likutei Tefilos.
10 Teves - R' Raphael Wexelbaum, Rosh Yeshiva of Itri
10 Teves - R' Avraham Abba ben R' Yosef Leifer (1989), Pittsburgher Rebbe, lived in Pittsburgh and New York before moving to Ashdod in Eretz Yisroel. See
Pittsburgher Rebbe Reveals the Loftiest Kavana of the Mikva.
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11 Teves - R' Shlomo Eiger, author of Gilyon Maharsha (1852) son of R' Akiva Eiger
11 Teves - R' Yehoshua ben R' Meir Horowitz of Dzikov, author of Ateres Yeshua (1912)
11 Teves - R' Yaakov Yosef Shlomo ben R' Chaim Dov Halperin of Vasoloi-Tel Aviv (1984) descendant of R' Yisroel of Ruzhin
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12 Teves - R' Moshe Margulies, author of Pnei Moshe on Talmud Yerushalmi (1781) Rebbe of the Vilna Gaon
12 Teves - R' Moshe Halevi "Sofer" of Peshvarsk (1805) Talmid of the Magid of Mezritch
12 Teves - R' Mordechai Chaim ben R' Yehuda Leib Kastelanitz of Slonim (1953) was one of the closest of the talmidim of the Slonimer Rebbes

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13 Teves - Rav Moshe ben R' Dovid of Lelov (1850) was the first Chassidishe Rebbe to settle in Yerushalyim. Previously they had settled in Tzfas. The Rizhiner told him that although many great tzadikim moved to Eretz Yisroel previously, their dynasties didn't survive, but Lelov would last till Moshiach comes. R' Moshe said that if he could make it to the Kosel Hamaravi then Moshiach would come. Unfortunately, he never made it there and passed away shortly after his arrival in Eretz Yisroel. He was the son-in-law of the Yid HaKodosh. The Lelover and Bostoner Rebbes are his descendants.
13 Teves - Rav Yitzchak ben R' Asher Anshel Hakohen Huberman, the tzaddik of
Ra'anana (1977)
13 Teves - Rav Yechiel Mordechai Gordon, Rosh Yeshivas Lomza (1965)
13 Teves - R' Shraga Feivush ben R' Boruch Hager of Zelishitshick (1936)
13 Teves - R' Menachem Mendel ben R' Yisroel Hager of Vishiveh (1941) Rosh
Yeshiva of Vizhnitz
13 Teves - R' Tzvi Hersh (Shmelkes) of Ostroh (1789) ben R' Shmuel, talmid of the Baal Shem Tov. He was considered the greatest chosid in Ostrah, was a great mekubal and is the subject of many miraculous stories
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14 Teves - R' Alter Elazar Menachem ben R' Moshe Mordechai Biderman of Lelov (2001) Beloved tzadik from Bnei Brak.
14 Teves - R' Reuven Dov Dessler (1935) father of R' Eliyahu Dessler
14 Teves - R' Tzvi Hirsh of Teplik (1928), Breslover Tzadik
14 Teves - R' Mordechai Twersky of Lavoi (1905)

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15 Teves - Mesharshia bar Pakud, Amora
15 Teves - Rav Huna, Amora
15 Teves - Mari bar Mar Zutra, Amora
15 Teves - R' Chaim Mordechai ben R' Itamar Rosenbaum of Nadvorna (1978)

15 Teves - R' Noson Nota Natkin ben R' Asher (1887) was a grandson of the Shaagas Aryeh and son-in-law of R' Yosef Zundel of Salant. Although he lived most of his life in Yerushalayim, he is buried in NY at Union Field Cemetery, (near Rabbi Jacob Joseph) because he died while collecting money for the Yishuv in Eretz Yisroel.

15 Teves - R' Refoel of Barshad (1827) ben R' Yaakov Yukel was from the greatest talmidim of R' Pinchas Koritzer. The website Two Tzaddiks has lots of information on them.

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16 Teves - R' Aryeh Leibish of Vishnitza (1846) ben R' Chaim Asher Lipshutz, known as "Rebbe Leibish Charif. He was a descendant of the Megaleh Amukos, son-in-law of the Yismach Moshe and Talmid Muvhak of the Chozeh of Lublin. He wrote Aryeh Devei Iloy (responsa), Ari Shebachabura (Mesechta Kesubos) and Ateres Zekeinim.

16 Teves - R' Chaim ben R' Avrohom Yosef Kreisworth (2001) was one of the great Torah giants of recent times. See R' Chaim Kreisworth - A Walking Shas.

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17 Teves - R' Yaakov ben Zev Wolf Kranz (1804) See Dubno Magid Gives Mussar to the Vilna Gaon.

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18 Teves - R' Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Dinov (1841) ben Reb Pesach, the Bnei Yisaschor. See here for more.

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19 Teves - R' Aryeh Leib ben R' Yosef HaKohen Heller (1813) author of Ketzos Hachoshen, Avnei Miluim and Shev Shmaitsa. All very famous seforim on halacha.

19 Teves - R' Avrohom Shmuel Binyamin Sofer (1871) oldest son of R' Moshe, the Chasam Sofer

19 Teves - R' Menachem Mendel Zaks (1974), son-in-law of the Chofetz Chaim

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20 Teves - R' Moshe ben R' Maimon (1204) the Rambam

20 Teves - R' Yaakov ben R' Masoud Abuchatzeira (1880) Great mekubal and the grandfather of Baba Sali

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21 Teves - R' Yisroel Dov Ber ben R' Yosef of Vilednik (1850), author of Shearis Yisroel, great tzadik and miracle worker, primary talimid of R' Mottel of Chernobyl, his kever in Vilendnik, Ukraine gets many visitors.
21 Teves - Rav Matzliach Mazuz of Djerba HY"D, author of Ish Matzliach (1971)

21 Teves - R' Yitzchok ben R' Abba Abuchatzeira (1991) Great-grandson of R' Yaakov Abuchatzeira

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22 Teves - R' Sholom ben R' Mordechai Yosef Moshe Moskovitz, the Shotzer Rebbe of London. He promised to help anyone who comes to his kever and lights 3 candles(1958)
22 Teves - R' Shmuel Heller, Rav of Tzefas (1884)
22 Teves - R' Yehuda Leib ben R' Shlomo Eiger of Lublin (1888) grandsonof R' Akiva Eiger, talmid of the Kotzker and Izhbitza, author of Toras Emes and Imrei Emes

22 Teves - R' Avrohom Elchonon ben R' Dovid Shlomo Spector (1973) descendant of the Chozeh. Breslover Tzadik who knew the whole Shas, Medrash, Zohar and more by heart.

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23 Teves - R' Refoel Yitzchok Zerachia Azulai (1765) father of the Chida
23 Teves - R' Mordechai Gifter (1991), Rosh Yeshiva of Telz

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24 Teves - R' Naftali ben R' Yitzchok Hakohen Katz (1719, some have the date as 26 Teves), author of Semichas Chachomim and Rov of Ostraha and Frankfurt-on-Main. He is buried in Istanbul, where he died, en route to Eretz Yisroel. He was a descendant of the Maharal of Prague. R' Nachman of Breslov was one of his descendants
24 Teves - R' Shneur Zalman ben R' Boruch of Liadi (1813), first Lubavitcher Rebbe, author of the Tanya and Shulchan Aruch Harav
24 Teves - R' Shmuel Borenstein of Sochatchov (1926), the Shem MiShmuel son of ben R' Avrohom, the Avnei Nezer
24 Teves - R' Avraham Shmuel Binyamin ben R' MosheSofer, author of the Teshuvos Divrei Sofer (1948) descendant of the Chasam Sofer
24 Teves - R' Moshe Mordechai ben R' Shimon Noson Nota Biderman of Lelov (1987) Great tzadik from a family that was in Yerushalayim since 1850.

24 Teves - R' Yosef of Yampola (1812 some have the date as 20 Shvat) ben R' Yechiel Mechel of Zlotchov

24 Teves - R' Meir ben R' Yehuda Leib Greenwald (1852) Maharam Ash

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25 Teves - R' Moshe Tzvi ben R' Shimon Shlomo Giterman of Savran (1837) was a talmid of R' Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev and R' Boruch of Mezibuz. He was a fierce opponent of R' Noson of Breslov, though interestingly his son, R' Shimon Shlomo was on good terms with the Breslover Chassidim.

25 Teves - Rav Eliyahu Eliezer ben R' Reuven Dov Dessler (1954), author of Michtav M'Eliyahu and Mashgiach in Gateshead and Ponovezh

25 Teves - R' Moshe Tikochinsky, Mashgiach of Slabodka

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26 Teves - R' Avrohom Chaim of Zlotchov (1816) ben Gedalya Moshe, son-in-law of the "Baal Haflah". He was a talmid of the Magids of Mezritch and Zlotchov and the Rebbe Reb Shmelke of Nikolsburg. He wrote Orach L’Chaim (Torah) and Pri Chaim (Avos).

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27 Teves - R' Shamshon Raphael Hirsch (1888) (Shimshon ben Raphael)

27 Teves - R' Menashe Yitzchak Meir (1971) ben Asher Yeshaya Eichenstein of Zidichov-Petach Tikvah

27 Teves - R' Pinchos (1998) ben R’ Chaim Hirschsprung of Montreal

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28 Teves - R' Avrohom Antebi (1858) of Aram Soba, Syria, author of Yoshev Ahalim

28 Teves - R' Nosson Adler of London (1890) ben R' Mordechai, author of Nesina Leger

28 Teves - R' Moshe Yehoshua Yehudah Leib (1898) ben Binyomin Diskin, best know as the Maharil Diskin. He was the Rav of Brisk and Jerusalem.

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29 Teves - R' Yerachmiel Yisroel Yitzchak (1910) ben Yechiel Danziger of Alexander, author of Yismach Yisrael. He was agreat gaon in all areas of Torah, yet know to be extreemly modest. Unfortunately, he left over no descendants.

29 Teves - R' Meir (1989) ben Benzion HaLevi Chodosh was the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chevron

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

A Chanuka Suggestion

Chanuka, as is taught in many seforim, understandably, is an especially auspicious time to daven for the rebuilding of the Bais Hamikdash. I would like to humbly suggest something that will only take several minutes to do; say Tikun Chatzos. On Chanuka (and all days when tachnun is not recited), Tikun Rachel is not recited, and only part of Tikun Leah is recited. If you have access to it in a siddur, you will see that it will take a very short time for you to say it. If it's still too much, then say one or two parts. If you don't have access to a copy of Tikun Chatzos, here are the chapters of Tehilim to say. It will cover most of what is said on Chanuka. They are Tehilim 42, 43, 24, 67, 111, 136. According to the Magen Avraham, Reb Nachman of Breslov and others, chatzos is always 6 (60 minute) hours after nightfall. (If nightfall is 5:30 PM. Chatzos will be 11:30 PM.) Others say that chatzos is 12 hours after midday. It can be said after for the rest of the night. It will take just several minutes, and Chanuka is a special time to daven for the building of the Bais Hamikdash. May it happen speedily in our days.