🗓️ Today in Jewish History– 15th Tamuz
🗓️ Ezra Journeys to Eretz Yisrael
In the year 3414, Ezra HaSofer and his assembly began their journey from Bavel to Eretz Yisrael, making their way toward Jerusalem. The journey, which began at the river Euphrates, lasted fifteen days until they reached Yerushalayim, marking a great moment of spiritual rebuilding following the exile. Chazal note that this merit later stood for the Jewish people in times of danger, even to the point that it protected the month of Tammuz from falling under the decree of Haman.
🕯️ Today’s Yartzite – 15th Tamuz
🕯️ 1743 – The Passing of Rabbeinu Chaim ben Moshe ibn Attar, the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh
In the year 5503 (1743), Rabbeinu Chaim ibn Attar זצ״ל, author of the monumental work אור החיים, passed away. He is revered as one of the greatest masters of Torah and Kabbalah, known as the “Ner HaMa’aravi”—a shining western light whose Torah illuminates until today.
Known throughout the generations as the“Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh”, after his famous sefer, he stands among the greatest Torah sages, kabbalists, and commentators of the Acharonim. His influence spread across continents—from Morocco to Europe and Eretz Yisrael—and continues to illuminate Torah learning to this day
His commentary on the Torah, Ohr HaChaim, is renowned for its depth, holiness, and unique synthesis of peshat, drash, and sod. It is said that even the Baal Shem Tov held him in the highest esteem.
There is a widespread tradition that one who prays at his resting place on this day will not have his prayer returned empty, and many throughout the generations have traveled to his kever on Har HaZeitim.
It is related that the Baal Shem Tov, upon washing for seudah shlishit, exclaimed:
“The western light has been extinguished!” for a great secret that was previously held by the Ohr HaChaim had now passed on.
From careful calculations, it appears that he passed away toward the end of the day of the 14th, leading into the night of the 15th—causing the variation in commemorated dates. Some traditions explain that he was buried on the 15th, and thus the הציבור established that as the day of remembrance.
Another moving account relates that Rabbi Chaim Abulafia of Tiberias suddenly weakened at the very time of the Ohr HaChaim’s passing, and upon recovering said:
“Today the Ohr HaChaim has passed, and I accompanied him to the gates of Gan Eden.”
Early Life and Formation
Rabbeinu was born in 1696 in Salé, Morocco, into a distinguished family of Torah scholars descended from the expulsion of Spain. From a very young age, he studied under his grandfather, also a תלמיד חכם, and already in his youth was recognized for exceptional brilliance in both Nigleh and Kabbalah.
His life from the beginning was marked by:
- Extraordinary diligence in learning
- Deep spiritual sensitivity
- A life of קדושה and פרישות
He later headed a yeshiva in Morocco, teaching many תלמידים while living in modest conditions, often under difficult financial and social circumstances.
His Torah and Sefer “Ohr HaChaim”
His most famous work, אור החיים על התורה, is one of the most unique and profound commentaries ever written.
It is distinguished by:
- A blending of peshat, drash, and sod (Kabbalah)
- Deep original insights on the Torah
- Powerful spiritual depth and inspiration
He would deliver teachings each week on the parashah, which were later written down and developed into this sefer.
In addition, he authored other important works, including:
- חפץ ה׳ on the Talmud
- פרי תואר on Shulchan Aruch
- ראשון לציון and further Torah writings
Chassidic tradition held him in the highest esteem. It is even reported that the Baal Shem Tov regarded him with extraordinary greatness, considering him a soul of a very elevated level.
His Life Journey – From Morocco to Eretz Yisrael
Rabbeinu lived most of his life—about forty years—in Morocco, where he taught Torah and led תלמידים under difficult conditions, including poverty and times of unrest.
In his later years, he resolved to fulfill his lifelong yearning to settle in Eretz Yisrael.
His journey was long and difficult:
- He traveled through North Africa
- Spent time in Livorno (Italy), where he founded a yeshiva and printed his works
- Gathered תלמידים and supporters for establishing Torah in the Holy Land
- Finally journeyed with a group of תלמידים and family members toward Eretz Yisrael
Due to an outbreak of plague, he was briefly delayed, traveling through Acre and the Galilee, before eventually arriving in Jerusalem in 1742, where he established the yeshiva “Knesset Yisrael.”
His Final Year and Passing
Remarkably, Rabbeinu lived in Jerusalem for only about one year before his passing at the young age of 47.
Even in that short time:
- He established a strong Torah center
- Gathered great תלמידים (including the Chida)
- Strengthened Torah and קדושה in the city
He passed away on 15 Tammuz (according to accepted tradition), leaving behind a deep sense of loss among all who knew him
🕯️ 1785 – The Passing of Rabbi Aryeh Leib, Author of “Shaagat Aryeh”
In the year תקמ״ה (1785), the gaon Rabbi Aryeh Leib ben Rabbi Asher זצ״ל, author of שאגת אריה, passed away.
He was one of the great masters of lomdus, known for his powerful and penetrating halachic analysis, especially in areas of Talmudic law that require deep reasoning and clarity.
🕯️ Later Tzaddikim and Leaders
- 🕯️ The holy Rabbi Elazar of Rydnik, author of Mishneh LaMelech, continued the chain of Chassidus from the תלמידי הבעש״ט
- 🕯️ Rabbi Yitzchak Tuvia Rubin of Głogów-Sanz, a chassidic figure of later generations
- 🕯️ Rabbi Yaakov Moshe of Komarno, and other holy figures of that lineage
🕯️ 1942 – A Historic Prayer at the Grave of the Ohr HaChaim
During World War II, when the Nazi armies under Rommel threatened Eretz Yisrael, a historic gathering of great tzaddikim took place at the grave of the Ohr HaChaim on Har HaZeitim.
They came to pray and plead before Hashem to annul the danger of invasion, and it is recorded that their tefillot helped turn away the threat.
🕯️ 1969–1974 – Later Generations of Leadership
- 🕯️ Rabbi David Moshe Rosenbaum of Krechnif זצ״ל passed away
- 🕯️ Rabbi Amram Blau זצ״ל, a zealous defender of Shabbat and Jewish tradition in Jerusalem, passed away
It is noted symbolically that his passing occurred near the Torah reading of “ויקם מתוך העדה”, reflecting his lifelong role of standing up for the ציבור in matters of holiness.
🗓️ Today in Chabad History – 16th Tamuz
🗓️ 1927 – The Return of the Frierdiker Rebbe to Leningrad
Following his liberation from exile in Kostroma, the Frierdiker Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn זצ״ל, returned to his home in Leningrad on Friday, 15 Tammuz 5687, ערב שבת קודש פרשת פנחס.
Upon his arrival, the atmosphere was one of deep emotion and thanksgiving. On Shabbat, the Rebbe was called up to the Torah and recited the blessing of HaGomel, giving thanks to Hashem for his miraculous deliverance. That Friday night, during the Shabbat seudah, he delivered the maamar Chassidus beginning with the words:
“ברוך הגומל לחייבים טובות”, expressing gratitude for Hashem’s kindness even toward those who seem unworthy, and emphasizing that all salvation comes through Divine mercy.
On the following day, during Seudat Shabbat, the Rebbe declared that this meal was a Seudat Hoda’ah, a meal of thanksgiving. He recounted that when the Alter Rebbe (Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi) was freed from imprisonment, he delivered the maamar “שאו ידיכם קודש”. Therefore, the Frierdiker Rebbe said that it was fitting that they too should repeat that same maamar—and he proceeded to say the maamar beginning with those words, linking his redemption with that earlier geulah.
However, the atmosphere of celebration was overshadowed by continued danger. The Soviet authorities—the Yevsektsiya and the GPU—remained hostile and restless. They threatened once again to arrest the Rebbe, accusing him of being a “rebellious rabbi” in Soviet Russia whose influence remained too strong.
As a result, the Rebbe was forced to leave Leningrad shortly thereafter. With no choice, he relocated to the village of Malakhovka, near Moscow, where he stayed temporarily under continued pressure and surveillance.