๐ฏ๏ธ Todayโs Yartzite 23rd Av
๐ฏ๏ธ 1796 โ The Passing of Rabbi Berish Gottlieb of Shinova
In the year ืชืงื โื (1796) passed away the gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Berish ben Rabbi Yaakov Gottlieb of Shinova ืืฆืดื, author of the monumental halachic work ืื ืืงืื ื.
Rabbi Berish was renowned as a profound ืชืืืื ืืื and posek whose work, Yad HaKetanah, was written in the style of the Rambam and systematically organizes many areas of halachah together with deep explanations and original insights. Although not as universally known as some other halachic codes, the sefer earned extraordinary esteem among leading Torah authorities.
A particularly notable testimony comes from the Chofetz Chaim, who reportedly stated that Yad HaKetanah was among his most beloved sefarim. Throughout the Mishnah Berurah and Biur Halachah, the Chofetz Chaim cites the Yad HaKetanah many times, reflecting the great respect he held for its author and his scholarship.
๐ฏ๏ธ 1985 โ The Passing of Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky of Hornosteipel
In the year ืชืฉืโื (1985) passed away the gaon Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael ben Rabbi Chaim Peretz Kanievsky of Hornosteipel ืืฆืดื, author of:
- ืงืืืืืช ืืขืงื
- ืืื ืขืืื
- Other Torah works
He was known for his piety, humility, and constant concern for the spiritual and physical welfare of fellow Jews.
Among the practices he encouraged was reciting before every Erev Rosh Chodesh the special Tefillah of Yom Kippur Katan, which is cited in later halachic literature as a source of protection and spiritual merit.
He also advised many people, based on earlier sources, that when one experiences salvation from illness, danger, childbirth complications, or another serious difficulty, one should undertake to recite:
ื ืฉืืช ืื ืื
as a public thanksgiving before a minyan of ten Jews.
Many individuals reported that they accepted this practice during difficult times and later fulfilled their pledge after receiving Hashemโs help. Consequently, the custom of saying Nishmas Kol Chai as an expression of gratitude became widely associated with his guidance.