🗓️ Today in Jewish History – 23rd Elul
🕯️ 2001 – The Destruction of the Twin Towers
On 23rd Elul תשס”א (September 11, 2001), the World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City were destroyed in a horrific terrorist attack.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed, among them many members of the Jewish community הי”ד.
The attacks shocked the world and permanently altered the course of modern history. The events of that day brought widespread grief and highlighted both the vulnerability of human society and the enduring need for faith, unity, and moral courage in the face of evil.
🕯️ Today’s Yartzite – 23rd Elul
🕯️ 1819 – The Passing of Rabbi Yisrael of Pikov
In the year תקע”ט (1819) passed away the holy Rabbi Yisrael of Pikov, son of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev זצ”ל.
As the son of the renowned defender of Israel, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak, Rabbi Yisrael inherited a rich legacy of ahavas Yisrael and Chassidic leadership. He authored:
- תורת מהרי”ן
- יצחק בן לוי
His teachings reflect the path of his saintly father, emphasizing faith, attachment to Hashem, and love for every Jew. Chassidim viewed him as a worthy successor to the spiritual heritage of Berditchev.
🕯️ 1826 – The Passing of Rabbi Uri of Strelisk
In the year תקפ”ו (1826) passed away the holy Rabbi Uri ben Rabbi Pinchas of Strelisk, known throughout the Chassidic world as Reb Uri’le Strelisker, זצ”ל, author of:
אמרי קדוש
Rabbi Uri was one of the most beloved tzaddikim of Galicia and was famed for his fiery enthusiasm in the service of Hashem. His entire being radiated joy, faith, and burning love of G-d.
Many stories describe how his fervent prayers and ecstatic devotion inspired all who came into contact with him. His teachings stressed simplicity, sincerity, and cleaving to Hashem with every fiber of one’s being.
To this day, Reb Uri remains one of the most colorful and beloved figures of early Galician Chassidus.
🕯️ 1862 – The Passing of Rabbi Yosef Zev of Kashanov
In the year תרכ”ב (1862) passed away the holy Rabbi Yosef Zev, son of Rabbi David of Kashanov, זצ”ל.
A respected Chassidic leader and descendant of distinguished rabbinic families, he guided his followers with humility, wisdom, and devotion to Torah and prayer.
🕯️ 1942 – The Martyrdom of Rabbi Yitzchak Menachem Danciger of Aleksander
In the year תש”ב (1942) was murdered על קידוש השם the holy Rabbi Yitzchak Menachem, son of Rabbi Shmuel Tzvi Danciger of Aleksander, זצ”ל הי”ד.
Author of:
עקדת יצחק
He was among the leading figures of Aleksander Chassidus and was murdered during the Holocaust together with countless קדושי ישראל.
His death marked another chapter in the destruction of the great Polish Chassidic world.
🕯️ 1943 – The Martyrdom of Rabbi Moshe Betzalel Alter of Gur
In the year תש”ג (1943) was murdered על קידוש השם the holy Rabbi Moshe Betzalel Alter, son of Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter of Gur, זצ”ל הי”ד.
A member of the illustrious Gur dynasty, Rabbi Moshe Betzalel was renowned for his piety, scholarship, and noble character. He perished together with millions of European Jews during the Holocaust.
🕯️ 1981 – The Passing of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Biederman of Lelov
In the year תשמ”א (1981) passed away the holy Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak, son of Rabbi Shimon Nosson Nota Biederman of Lelov, זצ”ל.
Living in Jerusalem, he continued the traditions of the Lelover dynasty, known for humility, warmth, heartfelt prayer, and extraordinary love for every Jew.
🕯️ 1995 – The Passing of Rabbi Meir Yehuda Getz
In the year תשנ”ה (1995) passed away the gaon and mekubal Rabbi Meir Yehuda Getz זצ”ל.
Rabbi Getz served as:
- Rabbi of the Western Wall (HaKotel HaMa’aravi)
- Rosh Yeshivah of the kabbalistic yeshivah Beis El
He was widely respected for his mastery of both Nigleh and Kabbalah and devoted decades to strengthening the holiness of the Kotel and the spiritual life of Jerusalem.
His passing was deeply felt throughout Eretz Yisrael.
🗓️ Today in Chabad History – 23rd Elul
🕯️ 23 Elul – The Histalkus of Rabbi Meir Shlomo Yanovsky, Grandfather of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
On 20 Elul 5693 (1933) passed away the gaon and chassid Rabbi Meir Shlomo Yanovsky זצ״ל, Rav of Nikolayev, father of Rebbetzin Chana Schneerson, and maternal grandfather of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson זי”ע.
Rabbi Meir Shlomo was renowned both as a master of Nigleh and as a profound Chassid. He succeeded his grandfather, the famed gaon and chassid Rabbi Avraham Dovid Lavut, author of Sha’ar HaKollel, as Rav of Nikolayev, in accordance with his grandfather’s wishes.
As Rav, he became known not only as a posek and talmid chacham, but also as a trusted advisor whose guidance was sought in communal, commercial, and personal matters.
Among the “Yoshvim” of the Rebbe Maharash
On several occasions, the Rebbe spoke about his grandfather and recalled stories he had heard from him.
After his marriage, Rabbi Meir Shlomo spent an extended period among the “yoshvim” of the Rebbe Maharash, as was customary in those days. Young married chassidim would often spend months in the Rebbe’s court, immersing themselves in Chassidus and observing the Rebbe’s conduct firsthand.
The Rebbe related that his grandfather described the extraordinary grandeur of the Rebbe Maharash’s household. Everything was conducted with royal dignity. Household items were fashioned from gold, the Rebbe possessed gold watches, used a gold cigarette holder, a gold snuff box, and even his carriage and walking stick were adorned with gold.
When Rabbi Meir Shlomo returned home and related these details, someone asked:
“Would it not be better for the Rebbe to give that money to charity and himself live on bread and water?”
Rabbi Meir Shlomo sharply rejected the question and replied:
“For whom was gold created? For me and for you, or for the nations of the world? The world was created for a tzaddik such as him!”
To him, the regal conduct of the Rebbe Maharash reflected the honor of Torah and the dignity of holiness.
“Meir Shlomo” – Illumination Within the World
During a farbrengen on 23 Elul 5749 (1989), the Rebbe discussed the significance of his grandfather’s name, Meir Shlomo.
The Rebbe explained that Rabbi Meir Shlomo embodied two seemingly opposite qualities. On one hand, he had been elevated through his close association with the Rebbe Maharash and lived in the atmosphere of profound Chassidic exaltation. On the other hand, he served as a practical rabbi and communal leader who dealt daily with halachic questions, business matters, public affairs, and interactions with governmental authorities.
The Rebbe emphasized that these were not contradictory paths. Rather, Rabbi Meir Shlomo demonstrated how a Jew can remain attached to lofty holiness while simultaneously engaging fully with the practical realities of the world.
🕯️ Legacy
Rabbi Meir Shlomo’s greatest legacy was not only his rabbinic leadership but the spiritual home he helped create. Through his daughter, Rebbetzin Chana, his influence continued into the next generation and ultimately into the life of the Lubavitcher Rebbe himself.
Those who knew him described a man combining:
- Great Torah scholarship.
- Deep Chassidic devotion.
- Practical wisdom.
- Humility and dignity.
- Dedication to communal responsibility.
His resting place became a place of remembrance for Chassidim who viewed him as one of the distinguished rabbinic personalities linking the generation of the Rebbe Maharash with that of the Rebbe Rashab and beyond.