🗓️ Today in Jewish History – 26th Tamuz
🗓️ 26 Tammuz, 1759 – The Baal Shem Tov’s Victory over the Frankists
One of the lesser-known but highly significant events in early Chassidic history took place on 26 Tammuz 5519 (1759). On that day, a public disputation held in Lvov (Lemberg) ended with the defeat of the Frankists, the followers of the notorious heretic Jacob Frank, whose movement threatened to draw many Jews away from authentic Torah and Judaism.
According to the famous letter signed by the leaders of the generation, the debate took place before church authorities in Lvov. Rabbi Chaim HaKohen Rapoport, Rav of Lvov, together with representatives of the Torah world, successfully refuted the claims of the Frankists. The signatories declared that Hashem had frustrated the designs of Jacob Frank and had saved many Jewish souls from spiritual destruction.
As recorded in the historic proclamation:
“We have accepted upon ourselves, our descendants, and all who join us, to observe the twenty-sixth day of Tammuz each year as a day of rejoicing, feasting, gladness, and celebration because of the great miracle and kindness that Hashem performed for us on this day.”
The declaration was signed by some of the greatest figures of the early Chassidic movement:
- Rabbi Dov Ber of Mezritch (the Maggid of Mezritch)
- Rabbi Yaakov Yosef HaKohen of Polonnoye, author of Toldos Yaakov Yosef
- Rabbi Ze’ev Wolf Kitzes
- and was connected with the circle of the Baal Shem Tov himself.
The signatories explicitly accepted the day as a perpetual festival for themselves, their descendants, and their followers, commemorating the salvation of Klal Yisrael from the Frankist threat.
Why Is This Festival Not Widely Observed Today?
A fascinating question was later raised: if the Baal Shem Tov and his foremost disciples formally established 26 Tammuz as a Yom Tov, why is it virtually unknown today?
In a letter dated 8 Kislev 5720 (1959), the Lubavitcher Rebbe addressed this question. The Rebbe noted that the acceptance of a new festival often requires that it become established in practice, similar to the Talmudic expression regarding Chanukah that “the following year they established it and made it a festival.”
The Rebbe suggested that since the declaration was made in 1759, but shortly afterward the Baal Shem Tov passed away in 1760, the original circle of leadership became dispersed. With the passing of the Baal Shem Tov and the changing circumstances among his disciples, the proposed annual observance may never have become firmly established among the broader Jewish public. Therefore, the original acceptance did not ultimately develop into a universally observed festival.
🕯️ Historical Significance
The victory over the Frankists represented:
- The triumph of authentic Torah over heresy.
- The protection of thousands of Jews from assimilation into Frankist ideology.
- One of the earliest public victories associated with the Baal Shem Tov’s movement.
- A moment when the leading disciples of the Baal Shem Tov acted together on behalf of all Israel.
For this reason, several Chassidic dynasties—particularly among descendants of the House of Ruzhin—continued to preserve the memory of 26 Tammuz as a day of gratitude and celebration.
🗓️ Today’s Yartzite – 26th Tamuz
🕯️ 1187 – The Battle of Karnei Chittin
In the year 4947 (1187), one of the most decisive battles in the history of Eretz Yisrael took place at Karnei Chittin (the Horns of Hattin), near Tiberias. The forces of Salah al-Din (Saladin) defeated the Crusader army that had marched from Tzippori. This battle marked the beginning of the collapse of the Crusader Kingdom in the Holy Land and paved the way for the recapture of Jerusalem later that year.
The Battle of Hattin became a historic turning point in the struggle for control of Eretz Yisrael and is remembered as the event that signaled the beginning of the end of Crusader rule in the land.
🕯️ 1842 – The Passing of Rabbi Nachum Trebitsch
In the year תר”ב (1842) passed away the gaon Rabbi Nachum ben Rabbi Zelig Trebitsch זצ״ל, Av Beis Din of Nikolsburg (Mikulov).
Rabbi Trebitsch was one of the foremost rabbinic leaders of Moravia and the author of the sefarim:
- שלום ירושלים
- Torah novellae and commentaries on the Rambam
He was renowned for his breadth of Torah knowledge, his halachic expertise, and his leadership of one of the most important Jewish communities in Central Europe.
🕯️ 1940 – The Passing of Rabbi Sinai Halberstam of Zemigrad
In the year ת”ש (1940) passed away the holy Rabbi Sinai Halberstam of Zemigrad זצ״ל, son of Rabbi Baruch Halberstam of Gorlice and a descendant of the illustrious Sanz dynasty.
Rabbi Sinai lived during the difficult years of war and persecution. He was deported to Siberia, where he ultimately passed away under harsh conditions. Despite the suffering he endured, his name remained revered among Chassidim and descendants of the House of Sanz.
A unique tradition developed around his memory. In accordance with the instructions and wishes transmitted by his son, a special matzeivah and memorial monument (tziyun) were later established in his honor, and many have visited the site over the years to remember the tzaddik and draw inspiration from his steadfast faith and mesirus nefesh.
His life stands as a symbol of the endurance of Torah and Chassidus even under the most oppressive circumstances. While tyrannical regimes sought to uproot Jewish life, figures such as Rabbi Sinai remained unwavering in their commitment to Hashem and the holy traditions of their ancestors.