🕯️ Today in Jewish History 25th Elul
🕯️ 25 Elul – The First Day of Creation and Yahrzeits of Gedolei Yisrael
🕯️ The First Day of Creation
According to the opinion of Rabbi Eliezer, accepted in many traditional Jewish calendars, 25 Elul marks the beginning of Ma’aseh Bereishis, the first of the Six Days of Creation.
On this day Hashem created:
- The primordial light (Or HaGanuz)
- Fire and water
- The foundations of heaven and earth
Although Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of Adam HaRishon on the sixth day, the creation of the universe itself began on 25 Elul. Therefore, these six days leading to Rosh Hashanah are viewed as corresponding to the six days of creation, a time of spiritual renewal and preparation for the new year.
🕯️ Completion of the Walls of Jerusalem
On 25 Elul, during the days of Nechemiah, the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall was completed:
“And the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul.”
(Nechemiah 6:15)
Chazal connect this great merit with later events in Jewish history. The Midrash notes that this merit stood for the month of Elul and prevented Haman’s lot from falling upon it.
The completion of the wall symbolized the restoration of Jewish sovereignty and security following the Babylonian exile.
🕯️ Today’s Yartzite 25th Elul
🕯️ Hillula of Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon
Tradition associates 25 Elul with the hillula of the Tanna Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai זצ”ל.
Rabbi Elazar was among the outstanding sages of his generation and the son of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Chazal describe his extraordinary greatness in Torah and holiness.
Certain ancient customs in Meron and Tzfas relate to this date, and some communities complete a cycle of Zohar study in his honor.
Some authorities questioned whether this date marks his actual passing, but the day nevertheless became associated with his remembrance in various traditions.
🕯️ 1786 – The Passing of Rabbi Yechiel Michel, the Maggid of Zlochev
In the year תקמ”ו (1786) passed away the holy Rabbi Yechiel Michel Jungerleib of Zlochev זצ”ל, son of Rabbi Yitzchak of Drohobych.
The Maggid of Zlochev was among the celebrated disciples of the Baal Shem Tov and among the early transmitters of Chassidus.
His teachings emphasized:
- Ahavas Yisrael
- Simplicity in serving Hashem
- Joy in mitzvos
- Deep faith and trust in Divine Providence
Many later Chassidic leaders regarded him as one of the central teachers of the second generation of Chassidus.
🕯️ 1893 – The Passing of Rabbi David of Kashanov
In the year תרנ”ג (1893) passed away the holy Rabbi David of Kashanov, son of Rabbi Chaim of Sanz, זצ”ל.
A distinguished member of the illustrious Sanz dynasty, Rabbi David was known for his scholarship, humility, and devotion to the Chassidic traditions established by his father, the Divrei Chaim.
Under his leadership the influence of Sanz continued to spread throughout Galicia and Poland.
🕯️ 1901 – The Passing of Rabbi Aharon Abuchatzira
In the year תרס”א (1901) passed away the holy Rabbi Aharon ben Rabbi Yaakov Abuchatzira זצ”ל.
A member of the illustrious Abuchatzira family of Morocco, Rabbi Aharon was known for exceptional holiness, Torah scholarship, and devotion to the spiritual needs of his community. He belonged to the generation that established the reputation of the Abuchatzira family as one of the great rabbinic dynasties of North Africa.
🕯️ 1970 – The Passing of Rabbi Reuven Nadaf
In the year תש”ל (1970) passed away the gaon Rabbi Reuven ben Rabbi Yehudah Nadaf זצ”ל, Av Beis Din of Holon.
Author of:
דודי ראובן
Rabbi Nadaf was among the distinguished sages of the Sephardic community in Eretz Yisrael, remembered for his Torah scholarship, humility, and communal leadership.
🕯️ 2008 – Passing of Rabbi Binyamin Yehoshua Zilber
In the year תשס”ח (2008) passed away the gaon and tzaddik Rabbi Binyamin Yehoshua ben Rabbi Baruch Zilber זצ”ל.
Among his well-known works are:
- אז נדברו
- ברית עולם
- Numerous halachic responsa
Rabbi Zilber was one of the major halachic authorities of postwar Eretz Yisrael. His responsa Az Nidberu became widely consulted by rabbanim throughout the Jewish world and addressed countless practical questions of modern halachah.
His careful analysis, humility, and deep concern for practical observance made him one of the leading poskim of his generation.
🕯️ Today in Chabad History 25th Elul
🕯️ 25 Elul, 5505 (1745) – The Bris of the Alter Rebbe
One of the lesser-known but deeply significant events associated with 25 Elul is the bris milah of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad Chassidus.
The Alter Rebbe was born on Chai Elul, 5505 (1745). On the eighth day, 25 Elul, he was entered into the covenant of Avraham Avinu.
The Baal Shem Tov Celebrates
Chabad tradition relates that on the day of the bris, the Baal Shem Tov instructed his disciples to prepare a festive meal.
During the seudah, the Baal Shem Tov delivered Torah on the verse:
“וביום השמיני ימול בשר ערלתו“
“And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.”
Those present did not understand why the Baal Shem Tov rejoiced to such an unusual extent. As often happened in the early years of the Baal Shem Tov’s leadership, he did not reveal the reasons for his extraordinary joy.
The Shabbos After the Bris
On the following Shabbos Parshas Nitzavim, the first Shabbos after the bris, the Baal Shem Tov again displayed exceptional happiness.
During the Shabbos meal he expounded on the verse:
“שוש אשיש בה‘”
“I will greatly rejoice in Hashem.”
The Baal Shem Tov spoke with unusual enthusiasm and remained in a state of great simchah throughout the day.
Yet once again, nobody understood the true reason.
A Hidden Celebration
Only later did Chassidim understand why the Baal Shem Tov celebrated these occasions.
The infant entering the covenant on that day was the soul destined to become:
- The founder of Chabad Chassidus.
- The author of the Tanya.
- The author of the Shulchan Aruch HaRav.
- The leader who would bring the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid into a structured intellectual system accessible to future generations.
The Baal Shem Tov recognized the greatness of the new soul that had descended into the world and therefore celebrated both the birth and the bris with extraordinary joy.
🕯️ Today in Halacha – 25th Elul
Studying Bereishis:
The 25th of Elul is the day the world was created. [Some have the custom to recite the verses in Parshas Bireishis of the first day of creation and so on and so forth for each day of creation until Rosh Hashanah when the sixth day is recited.[1] The Rebbe Rayatz states that this custom was practiced by the earlier Chassidim in order to draw down the Avoda into also these sublime matters.[2] This custom is no longer practiced in Lubavitch.]
[1] Birkeiy Yosef 581:19; Kaf Hachaim 581:21; Alef Lamateh 581:1
The 24th of Elul: On the 24th day of Elul the custom is to recite Parshas Vayishlach “Vieileh Hamelachim” as in this Parsha the seven kings that existed prior to creation are hinted to. These seven kings refer to the worlds that Hashem built and destroyed prior to creation [Sheviras Hakeilim of Tohu]. They began being destroyed on the 17th of Elul and were completed on the 24th of Elul. On the 25th day began the first day of creation of this world. [Kaf Hachaim 581:21]
[2] Likkutei Sichos 15 p. 488; Otzer Minhagei Chabad 77