🗓️ Today in Jewish History – 3rd Tishreiy
🕯️ Pharaoh’s Birthday
Chazal identify Rosh Hashanah as the day on which Pharaoh celebrated his birthday. On that day, as related in Sefer Bereishis, Pharaoh held a royal feast for all his servants.
During the festivities:
- The royal cupbearer was restored to his position.
- The royal baker was executed.
These events later paved the way for Yosef HaTzaddik’s release from prison and rise to greatness.
🕯️ Thus, what appeared to be a royal birthday celebration became one of the steps through which Hashem prepared the future salvation of Yaakov’s family.
🕯️ The Assassination of Gedaliah ben Achikam
According to the straightforward reading of many sources, Gedaliah ben Achikam was assassinated on Rosh Hashanah, two days after the destruction of the First Beis HaMikdash era government in Eretz Yisrael.
Because mourning and fasting are not observed on Yom Tov, the fast commemorating his death was established on 3 Tishrei, known as Tzom Gedaliah.
The murder of Gedaliah extinguished the last remnant of Jewish self-government in the Land after the Churban and caused many of the remaining Jews to flee.
🕯️ His death is regarded by Chazal as a national tragedy comparable to the destruction itself.
🕯️ The Abolition of Divine Names in Legal Documents
On 3 Tishrei in the days of the Chashmonaim, a special festival was once observed to commemorate the cancellation of a practice of writing Hashem’s Name in legal documents.
After the Hasmonean victory over the Greeks, people began writing:
“In the year such-and-such of Yochanan the Kohen Gadol who serves the Most High G-d”
in contracts and promissory notes.
When the Sages saw this practice, they objected:
What will happen when the debt is repaid and the document is discarded?
They feared that Hashem’s Name would eventually be thrown away dishonorably.
The practice was abolished, and that day was celebrated as a victory for the honor of Heaven.
🕯️ This episode highlights the sensitivity of Chazal to the sanctity of Hashem’s Name.
🗓️ Today’s Yartzites – 2nd Tishreiy
🕯️ 1683 – The Passing of the Magen Avraham
In the year תמ”ג (1683) passed away the gaon Rabbi Avraham Abele ben Rabbi Chaim HaLevi Gombiner of Kalisz, universally known by the title of his masterpiece, the Magen Avraham.
Few halachic authorities have exercised a greater influence on the daily observance of Jewish life. Although the Magen Avraham never served as the rabbi of one of the great metropolitan centers of European Jewry, his scholarship and writings earned him a place among the foremost halachic authorities of the Acharonic period.
He lived during a turbulent era for Polish Jewry. As a young man, he experienced the devastating Chmielnicki massacres, which destroyed hundreds of Jewish communities and claimed the lives of his parents. Despite these tragedies, he devoted his life to Torah and eventually became one of the leading rabbinic figures of Poland.
🕯️ The Magen Avraham
His most famous work is:
מגן אברהם
a monumental commentary on Orach Chaim of the Shulchan Aruch.
The Magen Avraham gathered and analyzed material from:
- The Talmud
- The Rishonim
- Earlier Acharonim
- Ashkenazic customs
- Kabbalistic sources
With remarkable thoroughness and precision, he sought to clarify the practical halachah governing every aspect of Jewish daily life.
Virtually every later halachic authority dealing with Orach Chaim was forced to engage with his opinions. The:
- Taz
- Magen Avraham
- Mishnah Berurah
- Aruch HaShulchan
form a continuous chain of halachic discussion studied to this day.
🕯️ Influence on the Mishnah Berurah
The Mishnah Berurah of the Chofetz Chaim quotes the Magen Avraham hundreds upon hundreds of times.
In many areas of practical halachah, the rulings accepted throughout the Torah world are built upon the analysis of the Magen Avraham.
Subjects in which his influence is especially prominent include:
- Prayer
- Shabbos
- Yom Tov
- Tefillin
- Tzitzis
- Brachos
- Sefiras HaOmer
- The Yamim Nora’im
To study Orach Chaim without the Magen Avraham is virtually impossible.
🕯️ Other Works
Beyond the Magen Avraham, Rabbi Gombiner authored several important sefarim, including:
- זית רענן on the Yalkut Shimoni
- חומת אנך
- Various halachic and explanatory writings
His writings reveal extraordinary breadth of knowledge and familiarity with all areas of Torah literature.
🕯️ His Legacy
The greatness of the Magen Avraham lies not merely in his brilliance but in his practical impact.
Every day, countless Jews:
- Recite brachos,
- Observe Shabbos,
- Conduct their prayers,
- Fulfill mitzvos,
according to rulings that passed through the analysis of the Magen Avraham.
For over three centuries, his sefer has remained open on the desks of rabbanim, dayanim, roshei yeshivah, and תלמידי חכמים throughout the world.
🕯️ The passing of Rabbi Avraham Abele Gombiner marked the end of one of the most influential halachic lives of the Acharonic era, but his Magen Avraham continues to illuminate the path of Jewish observance for generations of Torah Jews.
🕯️ 1860 – The Passing of the Tiferes Yisrael
In the year תרכ”א (1860) passed away the gaon Rabbi Yisrael Lipschitz, author of:
תפארת ישראל
One of the most beloved commentaries on the Mishnah, the Tiferes Yisrael combines clarity, breadth of knowledge, and profound insight.
His son’s introduction describes his final days with great emotion and reverence.
🕯️ To this day, the Tiferes Yisrael remains among the standard commentaries printed in editions of the Mishnah.
🕯️ 1887 – The Passing of Rabbi Yitzchak David of Lelov
In the year תרמ”ז (1887) passed away the holy Rabbi Yitzchak David Biederman of Lelov, זצ”ל.
A leading figure in the Lelover dynasty, he was known for humility, kindness, and extraordinary love for every Jew.
🕯️ His teachings and example helped preserve the unique spirit of Lelov Chassidus.
🕯️ 1930 – The Passing of Rabbi Shimon Nosson Nota Biederman of Lelov
In the year תר”ץ (1930) passed away the holy Rabbi Shimon Nosson Nota Biederman of Lelov, זצ”ל.
He continued the traditions of the Lelover Rebbes, emphasizing heartfelt prayer, simplicity, and Ahavas Yisrael.
🕯️ His influence extended throughout Eretz Yisrael and Poland.
🕯️ 1930 – The Passing of Rabbi Naftali Tropp
In the year תר”ץ (1930) passed away the gaon Rabbi Naftali Tropp, Rosh Yeshivah of the Chofetz Chaim Yeshivah in Radin, זצ”ל.
Rabbi Tropp was considered one of the greatest masters of the Lithuanian yeshivah method. His shiurim shaped generations of תלמידי חכמים and became famous for their depth and clarity.
🕯️ Many leading roshei yeshivah of the next generation were his students.
🕯️ 1943 – The Passing of Rabbi Aharon Yechiel Hopstein of Kozhnitz
In the year תש”ג (1943) passed away the holy Rabbi Aharon Yechiel Hopstein of Kozhnitz, זצ”ל.
A descendant of the Kozhnitzer Maggid, he carried forward the traditions of one of the great dynasties of Polish Chassidus.
🕯️ He is remembered for his piety, scholarship, and devotion to his chassidim.
🕯️ 1947 – The Passing of Rabbi Chizkiyahu Yosef Mishkovsky
In the year תש”ז (1947) passed away the gaon Chizkiyahu Yosef Mishkovsky of Krynki, זצ”ל.
A respected Torah scholar and educator, he devoted his life to Torah study and the strengthening of Jewish learning.
🕯️ His legacy continued through his תלמידים and published Torah insights.
🗓️ Today in Chabad History – 3rd Tishreiy
🕯️ 3 Tishrei, 5553 (1792) – The Passing of the Righteous Rebbetzin Devorah Leah, Daughter of the Alter Rebbe and Mother of the Tzemach Tzedek
On Tzom Gedaliah, 3 Tishrei 5553 (1792), passed away the righteous Rebbetzin Devorah Leah, daughter of the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, and mother of the future Tzemach Tzedek, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn.
In Chabad tradition, Rebbetzin Devorah Leah is remembered as one of the most remarkable figures in the history of the movement, revered for an act of self-sacrifice that generations of Chassidim regarded as having preserved the life of the Alter Rebbe and, with it, the future of Chabad Chassidus.
🕯️ A Year of Heavenly Accusation
The year 5552 was an exceptionally difficult one for the Alter Rebbe.
For many months, beginning on Rosh Hashanah, he endured intense spiritual anguish due to the fierce opposition and accusations being directed against the Chassidic movement. Even many of those closest to him were unaware of the depth of his suffering.
During the farbrengen of Shavuos that year, the Alter Rebbe appeared overwhelmed with inner bitterness and yearning. Those present watched as tears flowed down his face while he remained in intense deveikus.
Suddenly he cried out:
“Grandfather and Rebbe! Arouse abundant mercy for me, for your students, for your followers, and for your Torah!”
The “Grandfather” and “Rebbe” to whom he referred were understood to be the Baal Shem Tov and the Maggid of Mezritch.
Moments later, the Alter Rebbe collapsed and lost consciousness.
🕯️ The Child Who Revived His Grandfather
Amid the commotion, a small child entered the room.
It was his grandson, Menachem Mendel, not yet three years old.
Seeing his beloved grandfather lying on the ground, the child threw himself upon him and cried:
“Grandfather! Grandfather! Hold my hand and get up!”
The scene left a deep impression on those present. In later years, Chassidim saw it as an early indication of the unique bond that existed between the Alter Rebbe and the child who would one day become the Tzemach Tzedek.
🕯️ A Daughter’s Decision
Shortly before Rosh Hashanah 5553, the Alter Rebbe confided to several senior Chassidim that the heavenly accusations against him were severe.
He instructed them to pray intensely and even discussed arrangements for the future leadership of the Chassidim should circumstances require it.
His daughter, Rebbetzin Devorah Leah, became aware of these conversations.
What followed became one of the most famous episodes in Chabad history.
On Erev Rosh Hashanah, after Minchah, she entered the room where family members and select Chassidim were gathered. Standing before the open Aron Kodesh, she declared that she was accepting upon herself, with complete awareness and solemn commitment, to take her father’s place so that he might remain alive.
The assembled Chassidim were stunned.
🕯️ “Do Not Finish the Blessing”
On the night of Rosh Hashanah, after Maariv, the Alter Rebbe approached his daughter in order to bless her.
He began the customary words:
“Leshanah…”
Before he could finish, she interrupted and responded:
“May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year, Father. Do not continue.”
Many later saw this exchange as reflecting her awareness of what she had undertaken.
🕯️ Her Final Request
On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Rebbetzin Devorah Leah became seriously ill.
Her condition worsened rapidly.
Before her passing she made one final request of her father:
That he personally raise and educate her only child, Menachem Mendel.
The Alter Rebbe promised her that he would do so.
He then told her:
“Your son Menachem is a comfort to me. He will be a comfort to you, and he will be a comfort to Israel.”
These words were later understood as a prophetic reference to the future greatness of the Tzemach Tzedek.
🕯️ Her Legacy
Rebbetzin Devorah Leah passed away on 3 Tishrei 5553, at only twenty-six years of age.
Following her passing, the Alter Rebbe personally undertook the education of the young Menachem Mendel. The child grew up in his grandfather’s household and eventually became the Tzemach Tzedek, the third Rebbe of Chabad-Lubavitch.
For generations, Chassidim have spoken of Rebbetzin Devorah Leah with profound reverence. They viewed her as a woman of extraordinary courage, faith, and self-sacrifice whose actions helped ensure the continued leadership of the Alter Rebbe and the flourishing of Chabad for generations to come.
🕯️ Her resting place is in Liadi, and her memory remains cherished throughout the Chabad world as a symbol of devotion, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to Torah and Chassidus.