Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Nisan Yartzeits
1 Nisan
Nadav and Avihu, sons of Ahron HaKohen
Rav Rachumai, Tanna
R' Shmuel Kellin of Boskowitz, wrote Machtzis Hashekel on
Magen Avrohom
R' Moshe Yosef Hoffman, Dayan in Pupa
R' Elimelech ben R' Chaim Meir Yechiel of Grodzensk, wrote Divrei Elimelech and Imrei Elimelech. Father of the Piazeczna Rebbe HY"D( Aish Kodesh, Chovas Hatalmidim)
2 Nisan
R' Sholom Dov Ber ben R' Shmuel Schneerson, the Rebbe RaShaB, 5th Lubavitcher Rebbe (1920)
R' Yaakov Yosef ben R' Dovid Twersky, Skverer Rebbe (1968)
3 Nisan
R' Aryeh Leib Grossnass, author of Lev Aryeh
R' Eliyahu Meir Finkel, (father of the current Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, R' Nosson Tzvi Finkel) Nasi of Mirrer Yeshiva, Yerushalayim
R' Levi Yitzchak Slonim, was the son of Rebbetzin Menuchah Rochel, daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe
4 Nisan
R' Yochonon Twersky of Rachmastrivka, son of R' Mordechai, the Magid of Chernobyl (1895)
R' Yaakov Tzvi ben R' Gamliel Mecklenberg, author of Haksav V'hakabolah (1865)
5 Nisan
R' Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel ben R' Shmuel, the Apta Rov, Ohev Yisroel (1825) buried next to Baal Shem Tov. See here for more.
R' Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Bluzhov ben R' Dovid of Dinov, wrote Tzvi Latzadik
R' Moshe ben Shlomo Rokeach(1939) Kiev-Zlotchover Rebbe. He is a descendent of R' Elazar of Amsterdam. He is buried in Mount Judah Cemetery in
R' Reuven Yosef Gershonowitz, the Tzaddik of Ofakim (1995)
6 Nisan
R' Aharon ben R' Shmuel Yaakov Roth, Shomer Emunim (1947) The Shomer Emunim, Toldos Ahron and Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok dynasties come from him.
R' Meir Don Plotsky, author of Kli Chemda (1928)
R. Hillel ben Zev Tzvi HaKohen Klein, Buried in Brooklyn's
R' Meir ben Yaakov Schiff, the Maharam Schiff (Some sources say 20Adar)
Will update the list IY"H
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Adar Yartzeits - Completely Updated
1 Adar - R' Avrohom ben Meir Ibn Ezra, most famous for his commentary on Tanach.
1 Adar - R' Shabsei ben R' Meir HaKohen, known as the Shach, his commentary on Shulchon Aruch, Sifsei Kohen.
1 Adar - R' Emanuel Chai Reiki of
1 Adar - R' Yitzchok Isaac ben R' Tzvi Eichenstein of Safrin (1800) father of the tzadikim of Zhiditchov and Komarana.
1 Adar - R' Yitzchak Meir of Zhinkov ben R' Avrohom Yehoshua Heschel of Apta (1855)
1 Adar - R' Baruch Halberstam of
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2 Adar - R' Aron Aryeh Leib ben R' Meir Hagadol of Premishlan, father of Reb Meir'l of Premishlan and talmid of the Zlotchover Magid and the Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizensk.
2 Adar - R' Yisroel ben R' Avrohom Mordechai of Ger, the Beis Yisroel
2 Adar - R' Yom Tov ben R' Yisroel Yaakov Algazi, talmid of the Rashash, Reb Sholom Sharabi
2 Adar - R' Yaakov Chizkiya ben R' Moshe Greenwald of Pupa (1941), author of VaYaged Yaakov
2 Adar - R' Avraham Kalmanowitz (1964) Rosh Yeshiva of Mir in
2 Adar - R' Yosef Dov ben R' Yitzchok Zev HaLevi Soloveitchik of Brisk (1981)
.
3 Adar - R' Mordechai ben R' Avrohom Jaffe, talmid of the Rama and Maharshal, wrote 10 seform call the Levushim, most famous is the Levush on Shulchon Aruch.
3 Adar - R' Eliyahu Dovid ben R' Binyamin Rabinowitz-Tumim (1905), the Aderes. He was Rov of Yerushalayim. He was a descendent of the Levush, whose yartzeit is also today. He was also a descendent of the Chacham Tzvi.
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4 Adar - Rav Achai bar Rav Huna, an Amora
4 Adar - R' Aryeh Leib ben Sarah and Yosef, known as Reb Leib Sara's. He was a hidden tzadik and talmid of the Baal Shem Tov. Know by the name of his mother due to the fact that as a young beautiful girl she married an old melamed who was a hidden tzadik to avoid the advances of a nobleman. It is said that there is an allusion to him in Sefer Raziel Hamalach. Discovered the first Kaliver Rebbe. There are many famous stories about him.
4 Adar - R' Eliezer ben R' Avrohom Shmuel Gordon (1910), Rosh Yeshiva of Telz, buried in
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5 Adar - R' Zev Wolf of Charney ben R' Naftali Tzvi (1823) talmid of the Magid of Mezritch and Rebbe of R' Dovid Shlomo Eibishutz (Arvei Nachal). He was a big admirer of R' Nachman of Breslov, with whom he spent a lot of time with in Istanbul on R' Nachman's trip to Eretz Yisroel. He moved to Tiveria where he is buried.
5 Adar - R' Avraham ben R' Enosh Halevi Bing of Wurzberg (1841), author of Zichron Avraham.
5 Adar - R' Shmuel Avrohom Abba Shapiro of Slavita (1864) ben R' Moshe ben R' Pinchos of Koritz
5 Adar - R' Avrohom ben R' Refoel Landau of Chechenov (1875)
5 Adar - R' Mordechai Shlomo ben R' Yitzchok Friedman of Boyan (1971)
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6 Adar - R' Shmuel ben Natronai HY"D (1197), one of the Baalei Tosefos who was tortured to death "al Kidush Hashem".
6 Adar - R' Daniel Prostitz (1846), Rov of Pressburg and colleague of the Chasam Sofer (1846)
6 Adar - R' Naftali Dov Amsterdam(1916) ben R' Shlomo, talmid of R' Yisroel Salanter
6 Adar - R' Yosef Baumgarten, Av Beis Din Schiffschule in Vienna (1936)
6 Adar - R' David ben R' Sholom Povarsky of Ponevezh (1999), author of Yeshuos Dovid
6 Adar - R' Chanoch Tzvi ben R' Pinchos Yaakov HaKohen Levine (1935), Rov of Bendin and son in-law of the Sfas Emes
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7 Adar - Moshe Rabbeinu (1270 B.C.E.)
7 Adar - R' Shlomo Ephraim of Lunshitz (1619) ben R' Ahron, author of Kli Yakar and Rov of Prague
7 Adar - R' Yitzchok Isaac ben R' Moshe Yechezkel Taub (1821), first Kaliver Rebbe, discovered by R' Leib Sarahs. He was the first Chassidishe Rebbe in Hungary
.
8 Adar - R' Yosef HaChassid Yaavetz (1493) ben R' Chaim known as the "Chasid Yaavetz".
8 Adar - R' Eliyahu HaKohen of Izhmir ben R' Shlomo Avrohom, author of Shevet Mussar.
8 Adar - R' Moshe Aharon ben R' Yom Tov Lipman Stern (1998), Mashgiach of Kamenitz
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9 Adar – R' Yehudah HaChasid ben R' Shmuel Hachasid, author of Sefer Chasidim and his famous "Tzavah", which includes many things that many people are careful about, such as having a wife and mother with the same name, sealing up windows, moving stoves, cutting hair and nails on Rosh Chodesh and many others. (There are several dates listed as his yartzeit and I don't know which, if any, is accurate)
9 Adar - R' Shlomo Zalman ben R' Yitzchok (1788), brother of R' Chaim Volozhiner. He passed away in his thirties, and was already an exceptional Gaon at that time.
9 Adar - R' Yechiel Schlesinger (1949), Rov for Khal Adas Yeshurun and founder of Yeshiva Kol Torah
9 Adar - R' Shmuel Dovid ben R' Yosef Moshe Halevi Ungar, HY"D (1945), Rosh Yeshiva of Nitra and father-in-law of R' Michoel Ber Weissmandel
.
10 Adar - R' Yosef Boruch ben Reb Klonomus Kalman Halevi Epstein (1867) known as the "Gutter Yid" from Neishtadt. His father was the author of Meor V'shemesh. The Divrei Chaim of Sanz once said at a siyum on Shas that in heaven there is more enjoyment when Reb Yosef Boruch says Tehilim than his own finishing Shas.
10 Adar - R' Sholom Goldstein, Torah pioneer who was pivotal in building the Detroit religious community. (1984)
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11 Adar - R' Gershon Ashkenazi (1693), Rov of Nicholsburg and Metz, author of Avodas Gershuni and Chidushei HaGershuni
11 Adar - R' Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai (1806) ben R' Raphael Yitzchok Zerachia, author of numerous seforim (I believe over 70) on virtually every subject, nigleh and nistar. He was a talmid of the Ohr HaChaim and Rashash.
11 Adar - R' Yehoshua Moshe Orenstein, mechaber of Yam HaTalmud (1824)
11 Adar - R' Yosef ben R' Fishel Rosen of Dvinsk (1936), the Rogatchover Gaon, author of Tzofnas Paneach
11 Adar - R' Avrohom Bornstein of Sochatcov (1910) ben R' Zev Nochum, author of Avnei Nezer and Eglei Tal, first Sochatchover Rebbe, son-in-law of the Kotzker. He said before his passing that if one learns from his sforim, he will be a protector and helper after his death exactly like when he was alive.
11 Adar - R' Shmuel Brudny (1981), Rosh Yeshiva of Mir New York
11 Adar - R' Elazar Lipman Weisbloom, father of the rebbes, R' Elimelech of Lizensk and R' Zusia of Anipoli
11 Adar - R' Avrohom Abuchatzera of Tiberias ben R' Yaakov, Uncle of Baba Sali. He is buried in Tiveria. It is mekubal that part of his father, the Abir Yaakov, is by his kever.
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12 Adar – R' Alter Tepliker HY"D, his real name was R' Moshe Yehoshua ben R' Asher Zelig Bezhilianski. Wrote ten sforim, including Hishtapchus Hanefesh, Meshivas Nefesh, Sichas Hanefesh, Ohr Zoreiach Hagada and Mei Hanachal (on Likutei Mohoran). He was murdered during the Cossak uprising in 1919 while seated next to a Sefer Torah.
12 Adar - R' Shmuel ben R' Yeshaya Halevi Horowitz (1972), first became interested in Breslov after reading Reb Alter Tepliker's Hishtapchus Hanefesh (whose yahrzeit is also today). Born in Eretz Yisrael. Went to Uman for Rosh Hashana for three years and spent three months in a Russian jail after being caught.
12 Adar – R' Boruch Berditchiver, Breslover tzadik
12 Adar - R' Naftali Tzvi ben R' Shlomo Halberstam of Bobov (2005)
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13 Adar - R' Yisroel ben R' Yosef Isserles (1868) father of the Rama
13 Adar - R' Nachman ben R' Tzvi Aryeh Goldstein of Tcherin (1894), one of the greatest Breslov leaders. Grandson of Reb Ahron, the Rov of Breslov. His sforim include Parparos Lechochmah on Likutei Mohoran, Leshon Chasidim and Derech Chasidim on teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and talmidim, Likutei Eitzos Hameshulosh and more.
13 Adar - R' Moshe ben R' Dovid Feinstein (1986) Nothing more needs to be said than just "Reb Moshe" and it's known exactly who you're talking about. Loved by everyone. Besides being a Gaon in Torah he was know for his tzidkis bein adam Lemokom and bein adam lechaveiro. His Igros Moshe responsa can be found in virtually every Bais Hamedresh.
13 Adar - R' Shlomo ben R' Yosef Strashun of Vilna (1872), author of the famous commentary on Shas, Rashash (not to be confused with R' Sholom Sharabi)
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14 Adar - R' Yaakov ben R' Avrohom Kahana (1826), author of Gaon Yaakov
14 Adar - R' Dov Beirish ben R' Moshe Ashkenazi, Rov of Slonim, and author of Noda BeShearim
14 Adar - R' Yitzchok Sternhartz of Tulchin (1870) ben R' Noson of Breslov, buried in Tzefas near the Arizal and Beis Yosef
14 Adar - R' Shimon ben R' Yehuda Schwab (1995) Rov of Khal Adas Yeshuran in NY, author of Meian Beis Shoeva
.
15 Adar - R' Tzvi Hirsch ben R' Ahron Shmuel Kaidanover (1712), author of Kav Hayoshor, a sefer that is praised by tzadikim from all circles. Reb Elimelech of Lizensk learned it 102 times. R' Tzvi Hirsch said everyone should get his sefer and promised success in all areas for whoever learns it. Was a talmid of the Yesod Yosef. His father was the author of Birchas Shmuel.
15 Adar - R' Yosef ben R' Yisachor Dov Bertcha Leifer of Pittsburgh (1966), author of Tzidkas Yosef, lived in Pittsburgh - buried on Har Hazeisim.
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16 Adar - R' Elazer Menachem Mendel ben R' Moshe Biderman of Lelov (1882) buried on Har Hazeisim
16 Adar - R' Pinchos Menachem ben R' Avrohom Mordechai Alter of Ger (1996), the Pnei Menachem (1996)
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17 Adar - R' Shimon ben R' Moshe Sofer (1883), Av Beis Din of Cracow and son of the Chasam Sofer
17 Adar - R' Yitzchak Friedman of Boyan (1917) ben R' Avrohom Yaakov of Sadiger, author of Pachad Yitzchak
17 Adar - R' Yisroel Zev ben R' Moshe Tzvi Mintzberg (1962), Av Beis Din of Khal Chassidim in Yerushalayim and author of Responsa Shearis Yisroel
17 Adar - R' Avraham Menachem Danziger of Alexander (2005)
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18 Adar - R' Alexander Ziskind ben R' Moshe of Horodna (1794), author of Yesod V'shoresh Ha'avoda. In his tzavah he says he will be a "good advocate" for all who learn his sefer, even if they don't take upon themselves anything he writes. R' Ahron of Karlin brought him to the Magid of Mezerich, but the Magid purposely was not mekarev him because he said R' Alexander was a pure tzadik and already set in his ways. Yesod V'shoresh Ha'avoda is used by Litvaks, Chasidim and Sfardim. He and his sefer were praised excessively by many tzadikim. It is brought down in Chaye Mohoran that R' Nachman of Breslov praised him.
18 Adar - R' Yechezkel ben R' Yehuda Levenstein (1974), legendary mashgiach of Mir & Ponovezh
18 Adar - R' Chanoch Henach ben R' Pinchos HaKohen of Alexander(1870), direct descendant of the Shach. Talmid of the Yid Hakodosh and R' Bunim of Peshischa. Served as rebbe of the Gerer Chasidim for a while after the Chidushei HaRim died. Not to be confused with the Alexander Chasidim. He did not leave over a dynasty.
18 Adar - R' Nachum Mordechai ben R' Yisroel Friedman of Chortkov (1946)
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19 Adar - Reb. Faiga (1801) bas R' Yechiel, the mother of R' Nachman of Breslov
19 Adar - R' Yaakov Shimshon ben R' Chaim of Kosov (1880)
19 Adar - R' Meir Yechiel ben R' Avrohom Yitzchok Halevi Haldshtok (1928), Ostrovtzer Rebbe (1928) Not so well known, but was an absolute genius besides being a great tzadik who fasted most of his life. There is a great tape about his life from Rabbi Berel Wein, available here. Wrote Meir Einei Chachomim (not to be confused with an earlier sefer on Chanukah & Purim by R' Meir of Kursetchov)
19 Adar - R' Yosef Chaim ben R' Avrohom Shlomo Sonnenfeld (1932), Rov of Yerushalayim, Talmid of Ksav Sofer, buried on har Hazeisim
19 Adar - R' Yehuda ben R' Yehoshua Greenwald (1920), Av Beis Din of Satmar, author of Shevet MiYehuda
19 Adar - R' Yitzchok ben R' Yosef Kalisch (1993), Amshinover Rebbe of Boro Park, buried in Tiveria
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20 Adar - R' Yoel ben R' Shmuel Halevi Sirkis (1641), author of Bach- Bayis Chadash on the Tur
20 Adar - R' Meir ben Yaakov (1633), wrote Maharam Shiff on Shas
20 Adar - R' Shlomo Zalman ben R' Chaim Yehuda Auerbach, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivah Kol Torah and author of Minchas Shlomo (1995) One of the greatest and most beloved poskim and tzadikim of recent years. His father was Rosh Yeshiva of Shaar Hashomyim and considered one of the greatest mekubolim of his time. Descended from the Toldos Yaakov Yosef of Polonye.
20 Adar - R' Rapahael ben R' Shmuel Blum of Kashau, one of the great tzadikim in the USA, died several years ago.
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21 Adar – R' Elimelech ben R' Elazar Lipman (1787) Known affectionately as the Rebbe Reb Meilech, author of Noam Elimelech, which is know as the "sefer of tzadikim". He and his brother, the Rebbe Reb Zushia of Anipoli were talmidim of the Magid of Mezerich. Thousands of people travel to his kever on the yartzeit every year and throughout the year. There is so much to say about him. If you do a search you can find a wealth of information on him. Here is some information about the English version of Noam Elimelech, including sample chapters.
21 Adar - Reb Yitzchok Elchonon ben R' Yisroel Isser Spector (1896), Rov of Kovno and author of Beer Yitzchok
.
22 Adar - R' Yechiel Michel ben R' Ahron Halevi Epstein (1902) author of Aruch Hashulchan
22 Adar - R' Rafael Reuvein ben R' Shimshon Grozovsky (1958), one of the great Rosh Yeshivas of Kaminetz, Torah Vodaas and Beis Medrash Elyon. Buried in New York City.
22 Adar - R' Yisroel Moshe ben R' Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky (2003) Great Rebbe and member of the Badatz Eidah Chareidis
22 Adar - Reb. Miriam Freida Kagan (1946) bas R' Hillel HaKohen, wife of the Chofetz Chaim who is buried in Queens, NY at Mt. Judah Cemetery, near her son, R' Ahron.
23 Adar - R' Yitzchok Meir ben R' Yisroel Alter-Rottenberg (1866), Chiddushei Harim. First Gerrer Rebbe, descended from Maharam M'Rutenburg
23 Adar - R' Chaim Chaikel ben R' Shmuel Levin of Amdur, talmid muvhak of Reb Ahron Hagadol of Karlin
23 Adar - R' Rafael ben R' Aryeh Leib Shapiro ZY"A, son-in-law of Nitziv and Rosh Yeshivas Volozhin (1921)
23 Adar - R' Yitzchak Yaakov Rabinowitz ben Noson Dovid of Biala (1905), Divrei Bina
23 Adar - R' Yehuda Moshe Tyberg-Danziger, Alexander Rebbe of Bnei Brak, Emunas Moshe, son-in-law of previous Rebbe
24 Adar - R' Chaim Algazi of Kushta, mechaber of Nesivos Hamishpot
24 Adar - R' Eliyahu ben R' Shlomo Hacohen of Izmir (1729), author of Shevet
Mussar, Medrash Talpios and numerous other seforim
25 Adar - R' Avrohom Gershon ben R' Ephraim Ashkenazi of Kitov (1761), brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov, moved to Eretz Yisroel and became a talmid of the Rashash. Buried on Har Hazeisim.
25 Adar - R' Menachem Mendel of Visiva ben R' Yisroel Hager of Vizhnitz (1941) (I have his yahrzeit recorded as 13 Teves, but I saw this date listed in other places)
25 Adar - R' Yitzchak ben R' Masoud Abuchatzera (1970), the Baba Chaki (I believe he was a brother of Baba Sali)
25 Adar - R' Yisroel Yaakov ben R' Ahron Fisher (2003), Raavad of the Eida Hachareidis
26 Adar - R' Eliezer Lipa of Chelminik(Poland) ben R' Elimelech of Lizensk (1813), not to be confused with his older brother R' Elazar of Lizensk. Wrote Orach Latzadik
26 Adar - Sarah Schenirer (1935) bas R' Betzalel, mother of the Bais Yaakov movement
26 Adar - R' Avrohom Chaim ben R' Mordechai Dovid Brim of Yerusholayim, author of Shirah Chadashah
27 Adar - Tzedkiah, last king of Yehuda, died in captivity, in Bavel (561 BCE).
[Hamodia 2005 says 396 BCE; Hamodia 2006 says 380 BCE]
27 Adar - Rav Yosef Shaul ben Aryeh Leibush HaLevi Nathanson, born in Lvov, av beis
din Lvov and author of Hashoel Umaishiv (Shoel Umaishiv) (1810-1875)
27 Adar - Rav Yeshayah (ben R' Moshe) Schorr (1879). His primary teacher was Rav Mordechai of Kremnitz, the son of the Maggid of Zlotchov, one of the leading students of
the Ba'al Shem Tov. (Also a talmid of R' Mendel of Kosov, Apta Rov and R' Tzvi Hersh of Zidichov) Rav Schorr's last rabbinical post, and the one for which
he is best remembered, was in Iasi (on the present-day border between
Rumania and Moldova). His best know sefer is Klil Tiferes on chumash. (Also wrote responsa Kanfei Nesharim)
27 Adar - Rav Moshe Meir Rosenstein of Berditchev (1821-1902). A chassid of the
Rizhuner Rebbe in his youth, Rav Moshe Meir moved to Eretz Yisral and
settled in Tzefas in 1853, living there for several decades. At the end of
his life, he settled in Teveria. His insights have been published recently
in a sefer called "Avodas HaLevi'im."
27 Adar - Rav Shlomo Elyashiv (1841-1925). He was a great Kabbalist whose vast
knowledge of all aspects of Torah and exceptional ability to clarify
complicated concepts resulted in a few several Kabbalistic works, including
Drushei Olam HaTohu ("Dayah") and Hakdamos V'Sha'arim ("HaKadosh"). More
recently, the more philosophical and less Kabbalistically technical sections
of his works were assembled into a single book called Leshem Shevo
Ve'achlama. (He is known as "the Leshem". Grandfather of R' Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita.)
27 Adar - Rav Moshe Neuschloss, av beis din of New Square. New Square is the
anglicized form of Skvira, a village in Ukraine, where the Skver Hasidim
dynasty of Chasidism had its roots. The community began in 1954, when twenty
Skver families moved from Williamsburg to a 130 acre farm north of Spring
Valley, under the leadership of their Rebbe Rav Yakov Yosef Twersky. In 1961
New Square became the first village in New York state to be governed by a
religious group. Over the years annexations have increased its size. Its
population increased 78% between 1990 and 2000.
27 Adar - Rav Chaim Sinuani (1898-1979). Born in Sinuan, Yemen, to Chacham Yichya, of the eminent Bida family. As a youth, he left home for Jabal, to study in the
yeshiva of Rav Shlomo ben Yosef Tabib and Rav Dovid Ya'ish Chadad. Both of
the roshei yeshiva passed away in 1919. In 1921, at the age of only 23, Rav
Chaim became Rav and Av Beis Din of Sinuan. He and his family participated
in Operation Magic Carpet in 1949. He is buried in Yehud.
27 Adar - Rav Yisrael Bergstein, born in the Lithuanian city of Suvalk, studied in
Grodno under Rav Shimon Shkop and Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz from age 11, then at
age 14, under Rav Avraham Grodzinsky and the Alter of Slabodka at Chevron.
Taught at Chafetz Chaim in Baltimore and founded a yeshiva in White Plains
(1912-1998).
28 Adar - R' Mordechai of Slonim (1916), I am not sure but he might have been a son of R' Yehoshua Issac (Eizel) "Charif" Shapiro of Slonim
28 Adar - R' Moshe Chevroni, Rosh Yeshiva of Chevron
28 Adar - R' Yechiel Michel Gutfarb, Gabbai Tzedaka of Yerushalayim (2002)
29 Adar - R' Yitzchok the Bochur of Speyer HY"D (1196) ben R' Asher, grandson of the Riva was killed with many Jews
29 Adar - R' Shlomo ben R' Dov Tzvi Hakohen Rabinowitz of Radoms(1866), author of Tiferes Shlomo, a classic Chassidishe sefer. He was a talmid of many great tzadikim, including R' Fishel of Strikov, R' Dovid of Lelov, R' Meir of Apta and the Radoshitzer.
29 Adar - R' Avrohom ben R' Yehuda Leib Shaag (1877), author of Ohel Avrohom, Rebbe of R' Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld
29 adar - R' Yaakov ben R' Binyamin Kamenetsky (1986), Rosh Yeshiva Torah Vadaas. One of the great tzadikim and leaders of his generation. Wrote Emes L'Yaakov (the name describes who he was)
29 Adar - R' Michel ben R' Ephraim Berenbaum (2003), Mashgiach of Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalaim. Was held in high regard by R' Moshe Feinstein
R'Yaakov Kamenetsky and R' Michel Berenbaum are both buried in Mt. Judah Cemetery on the Brooklyn/Queens border. See here for info.This is a great opportunity to go daven there, especially with 29 Adar being Yom Kippur Koton. Many people say the tefilos of Yom Kippur Koton for Nisan and Elul even if they don't the rest of the year.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Help the Descendants of the Noam Elimelech
Monday, March 16, 2009
Noam Elimelech: Getting Prayers Answered
L'kovod the Hillula of the
Rebbe Reb Elimelech ben Reb Elazar Lipman of Lizensk ZY"A
In the Likutei Shoshana section of Noam Elimelech, we are given advice on how to get our prayers get answered.
It says in the Gemara (Gittin 7a): כל מי שיש לו צעקת לגימא על חבירו ודומם שוכן בסנה עושה לו דין "Anyone that has a complaint against their friend for taking away his livelihood and is silent, the One who dwells in the bush (Hashem) will make judgment".
One should always pray for his friend, because for oneself one can't pray successfully, as the Gemara (Berachos 5b) says:אין חבוש מתיר עצמו מבית האסורים "A prisoner can't free himself from prison". However, when praying for another, one can be answered speedily (as it says in Bava Kama 92a 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. See Segula to get Tefilos Answered). You should pray for your friend and your friend for you until everyone is answered. This is what the Gemara (Shevuos 39a) means: ישראל ערבים זה בזה. Simply this means "Yisroel are guarantors for each other", however ערבים can also mean "sweetening", as it says in Shir Hashirim (2:14) קולך ערב "the voice sweetens", since by praying for each other we are sweetening and consequently having the prayers answered.
The main prayer is in the "machshovah", meaning the mind, because this makes it easy for the prayers to be accepted since there is no "kitrug", the "accusing forces" aren't aware of the prayer. (This refers, of course, to additional prayers and supplications. It goes without saying that the standard prayers need to be said with the lips as described in Shulchan Aruch, although one should also think about what they're saying.) This is the explanation of the Gemara in Gittin that we started with: כל מי שיש לו צעקת לגימא על חבירו - whoever cries out in prayer for his friend who has no livelihood. ודומם – he is silent; he raises up his prayer in thought. שוכן בסנה עושה לו דין – Then Hashem will make judgment; He will answer the prayer for good.
The Noam Elimelech is teaching us that we should constantly be thinking about others, and through this advice above we will also be able to solve all of our difficulties.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
New Hisbodedus Website
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Machlokes in Ger
Unfortunately, after a Rebbe dies, there is often a bitter machlokes as to who should become the new Rebbe. The same thing (with a twist however) happened in Ger after the fifth Rebbe of Ger, the Lev Simcha, R’ Simcha Bunim ZY”A died. There was a fight between his son, R’ Yaakov Aryeh (the current Gerrer Rebbe) and his brother, the Pnei Menachem, concerning who should succeed as Rebbe of Ger. (Ger is perhaps the largest Chassidus in Eretz Yisroel) However this time the machlokes was quite different than what you would expect. The Pnei Menachem insisted that the son of the deceased Rebbe become Rebbe, while the son insisted that his Uncle (a son of the Imrei Emes) become Rebbe.
After much “fighting” back and forth, they reached a compromise. The elder Pnei Menachem agreed to become the Rebbe, but only on condition that after his passing, R’ Yaakov Aryeh would assume the position of Rebbe. And so it was. After several years the Pnei Menachem passed on and R’ Yaakov Aryeh, the current Rebbe, took over the leadership. May we merit to only have machlokes like this from now on.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Monday, March 2, 2009
Moshe Rabbeinu - Turning שמד into רצון
7 Adar is the yartzeit of Moshe Rabbeinu. The following is a small excerpt from Likutei Mohoran 215:
The gematria of שמד is 344.
The gematria of משה is 345.
The gematria of רצון is 346.
משה stands between שמד and רצון because he continually tried to sweeten שמד and turn it into רצון during his lifetime and continues to do so after his passing. He sweetens the "nations" and makes "geirim". (See inside for the full text)
Hiskashrus to Tzadikim
Is it possible that a form of Chassidus may have tens of thousands of chassidim but none who really feel a personal connection to their rebbe; that their hiskashrus is negatively affected because the rebbe may not have the time too meet with them regularly and discuss the issues closest to them?