YAHRZEITS FOR THE 18TH OF ELUL ~ BEGINS FRIDAY NIGHT (09-21-2024)
Rav Yehuda Lowy - Maharal MiPrague (5369 / 1609 - 415th Yahrzeit)
The Maharal was born in Pozna, Poland in the year 5272 (1511) to a distinguished family of talmidei chachamim originating from Vermiza (Worms). He was the youngest of four sons. His father was Rav Betzalel (of Worms) ben Rav Chaim ben Rav Betzalel, descendants of Rav Yehuda Levai HaZakein, the elder of Prague, who hailed from a family of good pedigree. Their lineage traced back to Bustenai ben Chaninai of Bavel and to Dovid HaMelech. The Megillas Yuchsin relates that the Maharal was Rav and Av Beis Din of Mehren (Moravia) for approximately twenty years. Following his time there, he founded a yeshivah in Prague, along with his famed kloiz, for a period of “eleven years and four years.” The Maharal passed away on Chai Elul 5369 (1609) and was laid to rest in the old cemetery in Prague alongside his wife, Pearl.
Rav Noach Avrohom of Dolina - Zrizusa D'Avrohom (5546 / 1786 - 238th Yahrzeit)
Rav Avrohom Shimshon HaKohen Ashkenazi Katz of Rashkov - Only son of the Toldos Yaakov Yosef (5559 / 1799 - 225th Yahrzeit)
(Some say the Yahrzeit is on the 8th of Elul)
After his return from the Holy Land, he was appointed Rav of Rashkov which was where his father had served as rav before taking up the rabbinate in Polnoy. Rav Avrohom Shimshon passed away on the Eighth, (others say 18th) of Elul, 5559 (1799) and was laid to rest in Teveria Eretz Yisroel.
Rav Yosef Katzenelenbogen of Ostila (5590 / 1830 - 194th Yahrzeit)
Rav Yosef was born approximately 1763/4) תקכ"ג-תקכ"ד). He was appointed to serve as Rav of Ostila in his father’s lifetime and after תק"ס, he took on the position of rebbe as well. While attending the wedding of his son, Rav Baruch in Ostrog, Rav Yosef passed away on the 18th of Elul,תק"ץ and was laid to rest in Ostrog with great honor.
Rav Zev Nachum Borenstein - Agudas Eizov, Av Beis Din of Biala (5645 / 1885 - 139th Yahrzeit)
Chacham Ovadia Avraham Yosef Somech - Zivchei Tzedek, Abdallah (5649 / 1889 - 135th Yahrzeit)
One of the greatest Iraqi gedolim of the last generations. Born in the city of Baghdad in 1813, he was a talmid of Rav Yaakov Rofeh. In 1840 together with philanthropist Yechezkel Reuven ben Menashe he founded the first yeshivah Midrash Abu Menashi. In 1854 they reopened a large shul and a new bais medrash Midrash Beit Zlicha, many great tzadikim learned there. He passed away on 18 Chai Elul 5649 (1889).
Rav Yisroel Moshe Lipschitz of Proshkov (5678 / 1918 - 106th Yahrzeit)
Son of Rav Yechiel Meir of Gustanin. In תרמ"ח, he was crowned rebbe by many of his father’s chassidim. He settled in Proshkuv where he held court well into advanced age. Rav Yisroel Moshe passed away on the 18th of Elul, 1918) תרע"ח) and was laid to rest in Warsaw.
YAHRZEITS FOR THE 19TH OF ELUL ~ BEGINS SATURDAY NIGHT (09-22-2024)
Rav Yisroel Dov Ber Gilerenter - Yashnitzer Rav, Ravid Hazahav, Devir Hamutzneh
Rabbeinu Yaakov of Orleans (4949 / 1189 - 835th Yahrzeit)
Rav Meshulam Shraga Feivish Halpern of Brezhan - Sfas Emes (5638 / 1878 - 146th Yahrzeit)
Son of Rav Naphtali Hirtz Halperin of Brezhan. In תר"ה with his father’s passing, the chassidim asked him to take up the position as rav of Brezhan. Some in the community opposed this decision. Instead, he accepted the appointment as rebbe alone as inherited from his father and father-in-law. He passed away on the 19th of Elul, 1874) תרל"ד).
Rav Yosef Chaim Pack (5684 / 1924 - 100th Yahrzeit)
Rav Hillel Vitkind - Rosh Yeshivas Beis Hillel Novardok-Tel Aviv in Bnei Brak (5734 / 1974 - 50th Yahrzeit)
Rav Hillel Vitkind, Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Hillel of Novardok-Tel Aviv in Bnei Brak. He and his Rebetzen were moser nefesh for bochurim arriving on the shores of Eretz Yisrael. They lived a life of great poverty as a result of the tremendous expenses which they incurred for saving the bochurim.
Rav Moshe Tzvi Aryeh Bick (5750 / 1990 - 34th Yahrzeit)
Rav Moshe Zvi Aryeh Bick (1911-1990). Born in Medzbosz (Mezhbizh), Ukraine, but grew up in New York, he is recognized as one of the first gedolim to be raised on American soil. At age 21, R' Bick was hired by a shul in the Bronx. He was recognized as a master posek by both chassidic and non-chassidic communities, but never published his teshuvos.
Rav Elimelech Alter Paneth - Reb Meilech, Deizher Rebbe (5765 / 2005 - 19th Yahrzeit)
YAHRZEITS FOR THE 20TH OF ELUL ~ BEGINS SUNDAY NIGHT (09-23-2024)
Rav Yitzchok Betzlalel Rubin of Brod - Reb Itzikel Broder (5634 / 1874 - 150th Yahrzeit)
Son of Rav Elimelech Rubin of Sokolov. Rav Yitzchok Betzalel was a scion of the Ropshitzer Dynasty. His phenomenal memory was his trademark. He passed away on the 20th of Elul, 1874) תרל"ד) and was laid to rest in Brod.
Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman - Rosh Yeshivas Ponovezh (5729 / 1969 - 55th Yahrzeit)
Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh (1886-1969). He married the daughter of the rov of Vidzh, and took over there at the end of 1911, when his father-in-law became the rov of Wilkomir. With the passing of Rav Itzele Rabinowitz on the 21st of Adar I in 1919, Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman was appointed the new rav of Ponevezh at the age of 33. He was elected to the Lithuanian parliament. He immigrated to Israel in 1940 and built Kiryat HaYeshiva in Bnei Brak and Batei Avot orphanages.
Rav Eliyohu Lopian - Reb Elya, Lev Eliyohu (5730 / 1970 - 54th Yahrzeit)
Rav Eliyohu Lopian zt”l (1872-1970) was among the most prominent leaders of the Mussar movement. As a disciple of the Kelm Talmud Torah method, he was known for his strict keeping of order and strong self-control. Rav Elya was born in Kelm, Lithuania. In his youth, he studied at the yeshiva in Lomża. He emigrated to England in 1925, where he served as the rosh yeshiva of the Etz Chaim Yeshiva in the East End of London. In 1950, he left the Etz Chaim Yeshiva and moved to Eretz Yisroel.
Rav Moshe Aryeh Freund - Gaavad of Yerushalayim, Ateres Yehoshua (5756 / 1996 - 28th Yahrzeit)
Rav Moshe Aryeh Freund was born in 5664/1904 in the Hungarian town of Honiad, where his father, Rav Yisrael, served as Av Beis Din. He was a descendant of the Rema, the Maharshal, the Shach and the Bais Yosef. The Nazis arrested him and his entire family in 1944. The family was deported to Auschwitz, where only Rav Moshe Aryeh survived. In 5711/1951 Rav Moshe Aryeh moved to Eretz Yisrael, settling in Yerushalayim, where he became the Rav of the Satmar community. He was also Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Yetev Lev, the Satmar Yeshiva in Yerushalayim. Following the petira of the Satmar Rebbe on the twenty-sixth of Av 5739/1979, Rav Moshe Aryeh was elected Rosh Av Bais Din (Ra’avad) of the Eida HaChareidis in Yerushalayim. After the petira of Rav Yitzchok Yaakov Weiss in Sivan 5749/1989, Rav Moshe Aryeh was appointed Gaon Av Bais Din (Ga’avad) of the Eida HaChareidis, a position he held until his petira. Rav Moshe Aryeh was niftar on the twentieth of Elul 5756/1996 at ninety-two and was buried on Har HaZeisim. He left no children.
YAHRZEITS FOR THE 21ST OF ELUL ~ BEGINS MONDAY NIGHT (09-24-2024)
Rav Yaakov Segal (Moelin) - Maharil (5187 / 1427 - 597th Yahrzeit)
The Maharil was born in Magentza (Mainz), Germany, to Rav Moshe. After his father’s petira, the Maharil returned to Magentza, where he took his father’s position as Rav. Here he taught many talmidim and served his community well. The Maharil is known as the father of Ashkenazic minhogim and nusach hatefilla.
Rav Shmuel Yass of Krakow - Maharash'K (5481 / 1721 - 303rd Yahrzeit)
Rav Yehonoson Eibeshitz - Yaros Devash (5524 / 1764 - 260th Yahrzeit)
Rabbi Yehonoson Eibeshitz (21 Elul 1764) was chief rabbi of many cities, including Posen, Prague and Altuna. He died in Metz at over one hundred years old. He authored many important books on Jewish law, scripture and thought.
Rav Dov Berish Flam of Olesk (5610 / 1850 - 174th Yahrzeit)
Rav Dov Ber was the son of Rav Shlomo Lutzker. From the year תקע"ג, Rav Berish succeeded his father as rebbe and held court in his hometown of Olesk. He was considered a gadol b’Torah even though he was blind for many years. He passed away on the 21st of Elul, 1850) תר"י).
Rav Pinchos of Kintsk (5661 / 1901 - 123rd Yahrzeit)
Rav Osher Yeshaya Rubin of Kolbasov (5674 / 1914 - 110th Yahrzeit)
Rav Asher Yeshaya was a scion of the Ropshitz Dynasty. He was the son of Rav Yechiel Rubin of Kolbasov. He excelled in hasmada and his tefillos were marked by enthusiasm. He was impoverished all his life. He passed away the 21st of Elul, 1914) תרע"ד).
Rav Boruch Yitzchok Levine - Rav of Mekor Chaim Yerushalayim (5748 / 1988 - 36th Yahrzeit)
Rav Baruch Yitzchak Levine (1910-1988). His paternal grandfather was Rav Menachem Nachum, who was very close to the Chafetz Chaim and was a talmidim of Rav Nachum of Horodna, the Chafetz Chaim’s mentor. He moved to Eretz Yisrael in 1938 and headed for the Lomza Yeshiva in Petach Tikva. He became Rav of the Mekor Chaim suburb of Yerushalayim and started a yeshiva there with the assistance of Rav Eizek Sher of Slobodka.
Rav Avrohom Yaakov Zalaznik - Rosh Yeshiva Eitz Chaim (5770 / 2010 - 14th Yahrzeit)
Rav Avrohom Yaakov Zalaznik was born on the 16th of Kislev 5673/1912 in Yerushalayim. His father, Rav Shlomo Zalman Zalaznik, was Rosh Yeshiva of Eitz Chaim. He learned in Yeshiva Eitz Chaim, becoming a talmid muvhok of the Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer. In 5717/1957, Rav Avrohom Yaakov was appointed as Maggid Shiur in Yeshiva Eitz Chaim. After the petira of Rav Isser Zalman in 5723/1963, was chosen to be the main Maggid Shiur. After his father was niftar in 5735/1975, he became the official Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Eitz Chaim. In 5737/1977, Rav Avrohom Yaakov was accepted as a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah in Eretz Yisrael, and also became one of the heads of Vaad HaYeshivos. Rav Avrohom Yaakov was niftar on the 21st of Elul 5770/2010, at the age of ninety-seven.
YAHRZEITS FOR THE 22ND OF ELUL ~ BEGINS TUESDAY NIGHT (09-25-2024)
Rav Menachem Manish Halevi HaLevi of Mezeritch (5592 / 1832 - 192nd Yahrzeit)
Rav Pinchos Rabinowitz of Kintzik (5661 / 1901 - 123rd Yahrzeit)
Rav Pinchos, the second son of Rav Noson Dovid of Shidlovtza, was born on 12 Teves in the year 5599/תקצ'ט. He held court as rebbe from the year, תרכ"ו. His father, Rav Noson Dovid of Shidlovitza, revealed that Rav Pinchos had the neshama of Rav Dovid Lelover and testified that his son “never tasted the taste of sin in his entire life!” He was bedridden with an illness for the last seventeen years of his life and passed away on the 22nd of Elul, 1901) תרס"א).
Rav Mordechai Dov Twersky of Hornosteipel - Emek She'ela (5663 / 1903 - 121st Yahrzeit)
Rabbi Mordechai Dov Twerski of Hornisteipel was named after his two maternal great-grandfathers, Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl and Rabbi DovBer of Lubavitch. He was also a direct descendant of Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli and the son-in-law of Rabbi Chaim of Sanz. A highly respected Talmudic scholar, he was also the author of a popular book of Chasidic guidance, Pele Yoetz.
Rav Yissochor Dov Ber Leifer of Bochnia/Satmar - Nadvorna Rebbe, Rav Bertzi (5666 / 1906 - 118th Yahrzeit)
Rav Bertzi, a scion of the Premishlan dynasty, was born in the year 5610/תר''י. He was the second son of Rav Mordechai, the founder of the Nadvorna dynasty. Rav Bertzi was renowned as a gaon of the revealed Torah and Shas. Even when Rav Bertzi assumed the role of Rebbe, he kept up an intense learning schedule. Rav Bertzi held court in Bochnia, Galicia during his father’s lifetime. After his father passed away, he moved to Selish for some five years, and then relocated to Satmar in the year 5660/תר''ס. Rav Bertzi passed away on a Wednesday, Parshas Nitzavim/Vayelech, on 22 Elul.תרס''ו 5666
Rav Avrohom Moshe Waltfreid of Pshedburzh/Rushpesha (5678 / 1918 - 106th Yahrzeit)
Rav Avrohom Moshe was born in 1840-1841) ת"ר - תר"א). He was the 3rd rebbe of Pshedburz. Due to disputes, Rav Avrohom left Pshedburz for Silov near Pietrokov in תרכ"ט. In תר"ן, he left Silov for Ruspesha. Towards the end of his life, in תרע"ו, Rav Avrohom returned to Pshedburz and remarked that he wished to be laid to rest among his forebearers. He returned his holy soul to its Creator on the 22nd of Elul,.תרע"ח
Rav Avrohom Moshe of Rospesha (5678 / 1918 - 106th Yahrzeit)
YAHRZEITS FOR THE 23RD OF ELUL ~ BEGINS WEDNESDAY NIGHT (09-26-2024)
Rav Yisroel Derbarimdiker of Pikov (5558 / 1798 - 226th Yahrzeit)
