Saturday, August 30, 2008

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' Avraham Yaakov Friedman of Boyan-Lvov HY"D (1942) ben R' Yitzchok, author of Nachalas Yaakov, murdered by the Nazis y's.

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.

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 (1918) ben R' Elazar Menachem Mendel Biderman of Lelov, one of the great tzadikim of Yerushalaim, 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 RoshYeshiva



7 Elul - R' Reuven Margolios, author of Margolios Hayom and many otherseforim

7 Elul – R' Eliyahu (1859), father of the Ben Ish Chai


7 Elul - R' Aryeh Leib Lopian, Rosh Yeshivas Gateshead

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

10 Elul - 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 here for more. There is a site dedicated to R’ Pinchas and R’ Raphael, Two Tzaddiks.

10 Elul - R' Yitzchok of Bohush (1896) ben R' Sholom Yosef of Sadiger



10 Elul - R' Moshe Yehudah Leib of Pashkan (1947) ben R' Yitzchok of Bohush, author of Birchas Moshe.


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



14 Elul - R' Yosef Yuska (1867) ben R' Yisroel Ashkenazi, author of Ohel Yosef

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

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’ Moshe of Orzistchov ben R’ Pinchas of Ostroh. After being orphaned, he was raised by the Shpola Zaide.


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 was known as the 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

22 Elul - Rabeinu Yaakov ben R' Moshe HaLevi Segal Moellin of Mainz (1427), the Maharil, the primary source of Minhagei Ashkenaz

22 Elul - R' Mordechai Dov Twerski of Hornesteipel ben R' Meshulam Zusia Ytzchok. He was a descendant, ben avcher ben, from the Rebbe, Reb Zusia of Anipoli. He was raised by his maternal grandfather, the Cherkasser Rebbe after his father died, so he adopted the family name, Twerski.

23 Elul – R’ Yisroel of Pikov (1818) ben R’ Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev

23 Elul - R' Uri "the Seraph" of Strelisk (1826) ben R' Pinchos, his main Rebbe was R' Shlomo of Karlin


23 Elul - R' Meir Yehuda Getz, R' of the Kosel and Rosh Yeshivas Beit El (1995)


23 Elul - R' Yitzchak Menachem Mendel Danziger (1942), the Alexander Rebbe, killed in Treblinka with eight of his children HY"D, he was the son of R' Shmuel Tzvi of Alexander

24 Elul - Chabakuk Hanavi (c. 480 B.C.E.)


24 Elul - R' Yisroel Meir ben R' Aryeh Zev HaKohen Kagan (1933), the Chofetz Chaim


24 Elul - R' Yechezkel Abramsky (1976), Rov of Slutsk and London, author of Chazon Yechezkel


25 Elul - R' Elazar (102 C.E) ben R' Shimon bar Yochai


25 Elul - R' Yechiel Michel (1786) ben R' Yitzchok, the Maggid of Zlotchov, talmid of the Baal Shem Tov

25 Elul - R' Aharon (1901) ben R Yaakov Abuchatzera

26 Elul – R’ Elyakim Getz of Ostroh (1824) ben Reb Yaakov Yosef ( Reb Yeivei) He printed the seforim of his illustrious father. Was known for his devotion to providing for the destitute.

27 Elul - R' Noson Adler, Rebbe of the Chasam Sofer


27 Elul - R' Sholom ben R' Elazar Rokeach (1855), the first Belzer Rebbe, known as the Sar Sholom


28 Elul - Shaul Hamelech and his three sons died in Gilboa 4 months after Shmuel Hanavi's death (878 B.C.E)


28 Elul - R' Chaim Yehuda Leib ben R' Avrohom Dov Auerbach (1954), Rosh Yeshiva Sha'ar Hashomayim, father of R' Shlomo Zalman


29 Elul - R' Yaakov Halevi Lipschutz, secretary of Rav Yitzchok Elchonon Spector and author of Zichron Yaakov

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Tehilim & Tikunei Zohar in Elul

It is customary to say more Tehilim than usual and to read Tikunei Zohar in the month of Elul. For more see these posts from last year:
Tehilim
Tikunei Zohar

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Reb Michel Dorfman ZY"A

(Picture courtesy of Breslov.com)

The yartzeit of Reb Yechiel Michel Dorfman ZY”A (1911-2006) is 5 Av. He was one of the leaders of Breslov in recent times. (You can read about him here.) This is interesting, considering that I am told that he was a descendant of the Shpola Zaide ZY”A, who opposed Reb Nachman ZY"A. I had the merit of having Reb Michel do a Pidyon Nefesh for myself, many times on Erev Rosh Hoshona in Uman, including his last year. (This is tzedaka given to a tzadik, who reads a special tefila for the petitioner and his family. This is customarily done Erev Rosh Hashona. See Sichos HaRan 214.) When many of the Breslover gedolim of the previous generation would give shiurim on Likutei Mohoran, it was assumed that everyone was familiar with the material. Many times they would tell stories of tzadikim and explain why they did particular actions based on Likutei Mohran. This reminds me of a story I saw about Reb Michel Dorfman, which showed that Likutei Mohoran wasn’t just a sefer that he learnt, rather he lived by it.

In 1979, the Tzion of Reb Nachman of Breslov was in danger of being destroyed by the Russian government in order to build more housing. Reb Michel and yblch’t Reb Noson Maimon shlita came to the USA to get the American government to intercede and save the Tzion. One of their stops was to get a brocha from the famed posek hador and tzadik, Reb Moshe Feinstein ZY”A. Since Reb Moshe was not well at the time, they were told that they could speak to him for several minutes after shachris, while he put away his tefilin.

Reb Michel told Reb Moshe the situation and then said that Reb Nachman says ( Likutei Mohoran 2, 41) that miracles and the altering of nature can come about through “poskim”. Since Reb Moshe was one of the greatest poskim of the generation he should bless them that would be successful and that the decree should be annulled. Reb Moshe asked if there was a possibility of bringing Reb Nachman to Eretz Yisroel. Reb Michel responded that Reb Noson of Breslov said that the Rebbe insisted on being buried specifically in that place because there are 30, 000 martyrs buried there, and that this place was prepared for him from the “six days of creation”. Reb Moshe responded: “I bless you that the true desire of the ‘Rebbe Hakodosh’ should be fulfilled”.

They were very satisfied with his words and retreated to the middle of the Beis Medrash. Reb Moshe walked to the door with several assistants and then turned around and walked back to Reb Michel and with a beaming face and said: “I bless you that the desire of the ‘tzadik hakodosh’ should be fulfilled. After this, Reb Michel was in a such great state of joy. He turned to Reb Noson Maimon and said: “There is no doubt that we will be successful in our mission. If Reb Nachman says that poskim have the power to change nature – and Reb Moshe is defiantly in this category – then the will of the Rebbe will happen immediately”. Shortly after, the Russian government agreed to make Reb Nachman’s tzion a national shrine.

What we can learn from here is how someone believed full heartedly in the teachings of a tzadik and implemented them practically on a day to day basis. Zchuso Yogen Aleinu!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Yartzeits for the Month of Av

Rosh Chodesh - 1 Av
The death of tzadikim is compared to the burning of the Beis HaMikdash. Perhaps, that is why there is such an disproportionate amount of tzadikim that were niftar on this day, Rosh Chodesh of the month when the first and second Beis HaMikdash were destroyed, starting with Ahron HaKohen, the "ohev Shalom v'rodef Shalom", which in turn is related to the churban.

1 Av - Ahron HaKohen (1272 B.C.E)

1 Av - Elazar ben Ahron HaKohen

1 Av - R' Yehoshua Heschel ben R' Elazar (died early 1700's) was the Rov of Dubna after R' Yosef Yoska, the Yesod Yosef

1 Av - R' Noson Nota ben R' Yosef of Averitch (1785) Talmid of the Baal Shem Tov and father-in-law of the Bas Ayin. He did not sleep on Shabbos because it says "V'shomru Bnei Yisroel es HaShabbos", you should watch the Shabbos.

1 Av - R' Asher Wallerstein (1837) was the son of R' Aryeh Leib, the Shagas Aryeh,

1 Av - R' Ahron ben R' Moshe Goldstein (1845) was the Rov of Breslov. He was one of the main students of R' Nachman of Breslov. R' Nachman said that he used his ancestral merits to bring R' Ahron to Breslov and that R' Ahron went to his chuppah with a "clean garment". He and R' Naftali were the two witnesses to R' Nachman's famous promise to pull out of Gehinom anyone who gives tzedaka and says Tikun HaKlali by his kever. His son, R' Tzvi Aryeh succeded him and R' Tzvi's son was R' Nachman of Tcherin.

1 Av - R' Shmuel ben R' Dovid Tzvi Ehrenfeld (1883), the Chasan Sofer, grandson of the Chasam Sofer

1 Av - R' Ahron ben R' Chaim Halberstam of Sanz (1903)

1 Av - R' Menachem Nochum of Kobrin-Bialystok (1918) ben R' Yehudah Leib was a talmid muvhak of the Yesod Avodah of Slonim

1 Av - R' Shlomo ben R' Ben-Zion Halberstam of Bobov (2000) His father, first wife and several children were murdered by the Nazis y's. He remarried after the war and rebuilt Bobov into one of the largest chassidish communities in the world. His only son to survive the war, R' Naftal Tzvi, sucseeded him and passed away in 2005. There is a book, Nor the Moon by Night, about his experiences during the Holocaust. It was mentioned many times after his passing that it was no coincidence that his yahrzeit is the same as Ahron HaKohen's because he was consumate "ohev Shalom v'rodef Shalom" and was loved by all.

2 Av - R' Ahron Teumim HY"D (1690) ben R' Moshe, was the Rov of Kracow. While visiting another region, a Polish nobleman had him arrested for no reason, and placed on a horse to bring him to jail. On the way, he fell off many times and they put him right back on until he died from his wounds.2 Av - R' Moshe ben R' Avrohom Stern (1997), Debreciner Rov, author of Be'er Moshe. One of the greatest poskim of our time.

3 Av - Reb Shimshon ben R' Pesach Ostropolier HY"D See here for more.

3 Av - R' Gedalia Ahron Rabinowitz of Monastrich HY"D (1919) ben

3 Av - R' Yehoshua was killed in a pogrom in Uman with 700 others.3 Av - R' Dovid Shapira (1934) ben R' Pinchas Leib3 Av - R' Chaim Yechezkel Taub of Ozorov (1938) ben R' Yisroel of Modzitz3 Av - R' Yitzchok (1941) ben R' Mordechai Twersky of Skver-Kishinev was the first Skverer Rebbe in America.3 Av - R' Yehoshua Heschel HaLevi Horowitz HY"D (1943) ben R' Chaim Shmuel was a descendant of the Chozeh of Lublin.

4 Av - R' Menachem Azariah ben Yitzchok Brechya (1620) Rama MiPano

4 Av - R Tzvi Meir HaKohen Rabinowitz, Av Beis Din of Radomsk (1902) His father was the Tiferes Shlomo, R' Shlomo HaKohen of Radomsk

4 Av - R' Ephraim Taub of Kuzmir (1904) ben R' Yechezkel

4 Av - R' Benzion Halberstam HY"D (1941) ben R' Shlomo, Bobover Rebbe, author of Kedushas Tzion. See Heichal HaNegina for more.

5 Av - R' Yitzchok ben R' Shlomo Luria Ashkenazi, The Arizal (1572), The Chida said on him that the way he reached such a high level was that Eliyahu HaNavi purified him with ashes of a Parah Adumah. The Arizal is respected and accepted by all the great Rabbonim of the Ashkenazim (chassidim and non-chassidim), Sefardim and Teimanim. Besides Kabbalistic Seforim, the Arizal is very often quoted in halachic works, such as the Magen Avrohom, Be'er Heitiv and Mishna Berura.

5 Av - R' Gedalyah Chiyun (1750), founder of Yeshiva Beis El which studied Kabbalah based on the Arizal

5 Av - R' Chaim of Krasna (1793) talmid of the Baal Shem Tov

5 Av - R' Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky of Vilna (1940) author of Achiezer. One of the Gedolei Hador of his time, he was very close with the Chofetz Chaim. He was a great tzadik and an absolute genius, with a reputation, for among other things, being able to write two separate things at a time using his right and left hand simultaneously.

5 Av - R' Binyomin Paler (2000), talmid of the Brisker Rov, and founder of Yeshiva Bais Hatalmud and Yeshiva Mekor Chaim

5 Av - R' Yechiel Michel Dorfman (2006) One of the leaders of Breslov. He married the granddaughter of R' Avrohom Sternhartz. It seems like yesterday that we were davening for a refuah sheleima for R' Yechiel Michel ben Chana Perel. He used to risk his life to take people to Reb Nachman's tzion in Uman. Spent time in Russian prisons and Siberia. Till the end he had a rigorous schedule of Torah and Avodah.

6 Av - R' Yehoshua Greenwald, Av Beis Din of Chust

6 Av - R' Shlomo Zalman Hanau of Frankfurt-on-Main, author of Binyan Shlomo

7 Av - R' Pinchos of Sokolivka HY"D (1919) ben R' Gedalia Ahron of Linitz He was killed by the Ukranians.

7 Av - R' Sholom Noach ben R Moshe Avrohom Brezovsky (2000), Slonimer Rebbe and author of Nesivos Sholom, one of the most popular Chassidishe Seforim of our time. He was a son-in-law of the previous Rebbe, the Birchas Avrohom. See Heicha HaNegina for more.

7 Av - R' Moshe Greenwald of Chust, the Arugas Habosem

7 Av - R' Simcha Bunim Ehrenfeld of Mattersdorf

8 Av - R' Simcha Zissel Ziv of Kelm (1898)

9 Av - Reb Yaakov Yitzchok ben Reb Avrohom Eliezer Halevi, the Chozeh of Lublin See here for more.

9 Av - Reb Gavriel "Malach" ben Reb Dovid Horowitz of Moglenitza(1858) was a talmid of the Ohev Yisroel of Apta, Magid of Koznitz and his son, Reb Moshe Elyakim Briah and Reb Chaim Meir of Moglenitza. He helped put together the writings of the Magid of Koznitz

9 Av – R’ Yitzhak Nisim ben Rachamim, Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel (Rishon Letzion) from 1955 to 1972 Rebbe of R’ Mordechai Eliyahu

10 Av - Yissachar ben Yaakov Avinu

10 Av - Don Yitzchok Abarbanel (1508)

11 Av - R' Hillel ben R' Meir HaLevi Malisov, best known as Reb Hillel Paritcher (1864) was a talmid of the Bas Ayin, Chenobyler Magid, Miteler Rebbe and Tzemach Tzedek. He was one of the greatest tzadikim in Chabad at the time and was like a Rebbe in his own right. He authored Pelach Harimon, Imrei Noam, Likutei Biurim and Maamar Hishtatchus.

11 Av - R' Yitzchak Blazer of St. Petersburg (1907) was a talmid of R' Yisroel Salanter. He wrote Ohr Yisroel, based on his Rebbe's letters and Pri Yitzchok (1907)

12 Av - R' Aryeh Leib Katzenelbogen (1837) Rov of Vilna

12 Av - R' Moshe Ber ben R' Ahron of Stolin (1847) was a grandson of R' Shlomo of Karlin

12 Av - R' Ephraim Zalman ben R' Menachem Manish Margolies(1886) son-in-law of the Trisker Magid

12 Av - R' Yeshayahu ben R' Avrohom Moshe Veltfried of Kalish (1939)

13 Av - R' Nosson Nota Shapiro of Krakow (1633), author of Megaleh Amukos

13 Av - R' Mordechai ben Avrohom Benet (1829), author of Techeiles Mordechai

13 Av - R' Yehuda Leib Pesach ben R' Avrohom of Lipsk (1865)

13 Av - R' Yaakov Dovid ben R' Menachem Mendel (Tzemach Tzadik) Hager (1865)

13 Av - R' Yosef of Chelm ben R' Mordechai "Mayim Amukim", talmid of the Chozeh

13 Av - R' Yisroel Shmuel ben R' Aryeh Leibush of Tamoshov (1869) grandson of R' Yosef of Chelm, whose yartzeit is the same day.

13 Av - R' Yaakov Yosef ben R' Moshe of Orzetchov

13 Av - R' Eliyahu Maaravi (1955) was a great leader of Mekubalim in Yerushalayim.

13 Av - R' Yosef Eliyahu Henkin (1973), posek and head of Ezras Torah. He is buried on Long Island in Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, NY.

13 Av - R' Yosef Greenwald of Pupa (1984) ben Yaakov Chizkiya , author of Veyechi Yosef

14 Av - R' Tzvi Hirsch ben R' Ahron Friedman of Liska (1874), talmid of the Divrei Chaim and Rebbe of R' Shayele Kerestirer. He wrote Ach Pri Tevuah

14 Av - R' Yitzchok of Mezritch (1826) talmid of the Chozeh

14 Av- R' Yitzchok Friedman of Bohush (1992) ben R' Sholom Yosef of Shpikov, Rebbe from the Rizhin Dynasty

15 Av - Nochum Ish Gamzu, tanna who was known for saying "gamzu letovah" for everything

15 Av – R’ Shimon Libya of Tripoli (1585) author of Kesem Paz on Zohar and composer of the famous song “Bar Yochai”

15 Av - R' Amram ben Divan was a great Morocan Tzadik

15 Av - R' Asher (the second)(1873) ben R' Ahron (the second) of Karlin

15 Av - R' Yaakov ben R' Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izhbitza-Radzin (1878), author of Beis Yaakov

15 Av - R' Meir Noson ben R' Chaim (Divrei Chaim) Halberstam (1855) was the father of the first Bobover Rebbe

15 Av - R' Dovid Yosef ben R' Shlomo Yechiel Biderman of Lelov (1897) He was from the members of the Lelover family that didn't move to Eretz Yisroel. He was Rebbe in Lelov, Poland

15 Av - R' Tzvi Hirsch Halberstam of Rudnik (1918) ben R' Boruch of Gorlitz, grandson of the Divrei Chaim

17 Av - R' Shlomo Chaim Perlow of Koidenov (1862) was the son of R' Ahron, the son of R' Mordechai Yaffe of Lechovitch. They were direct (ben acher ben) descendants of the Levush. He was raised by his maternal grandfather, R' Asher Perlow of Karlin, after his father died, and therefore he is also known by the last name of Perlow. After his uncle, R' Noach of Lechovitch, died, all the chassidim flocked to R' Shlomo. He had several sons that became great Rebbes in their own right.

18 Av - 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.

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 be R' Yehuda 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.

23 Av - 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.

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

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)

27 Av - 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. See the story: Shachris with the Skulener Rebbe Brings Success.