🗓️ Today in Jewish History – 5th Tishreiy
🕯️ Birth of Naftali, Son of Yaakov Avinu
According to ancient traditions cited in Midrashic sources, Naftali, the sixth son of Yaakov Avinu and Bilhah, was born on 5 Tishrei.
Naftali was blessed by Yaakov with the words:
“נפתלי אילה שלוחה“
“Naftali is a swift deer.”
He is portrayed in Chazal as a figure of speed, devotion, and unwavering loyalty to his family. According to tradition, it was Naftali who was often entrusted with carrying messages and accomplishing urgent missions on behalf of the sons of Yaakov.
Some sources note that Hashem completes the years of the righteous “from day to day,” and therefore associate this date not only with his birth but also with his passing.
🕯️ Naftali’s tribe would later inherit a beautiful and fertile portion of Eretz Yisrael in the Galilee and play an important role throughout Jewish history.
🕯️ Rabbi Akiva Imprisoned by the Romans
Among the fast days recorded in early sources is 5 Tishrei, the day on which Rabbi Akiva ben Yosef was imprisoned by the Roman authorities.
Rabbi Akiva had continued teaching Torah publicly despite Roman decrees forbidding Torah study. For this act of spiritual heroism he was arrested and cast into prison.
Although his martyrdom occurred later, on Yom Kippur according to many traditions, the day of his imprisonment was remembered as a day of sorrow and reflection.
🕯️ Rabbi Akiva’s imprisonment became one of the most powerful symbols of Jewish devotion to Torah under persecution.
🗓️ Today’s Yartzites – 5th Tishreiy
🕯️ 1991 – The Passing of Rabbi Baruch Shalom HaLevi Ashlag
In the year תשנ”ב (1991) passed away the holy Rabbi Baruch Shalom HaLevi Ashlag, known by the title of his sefer:
ברכת שלום
The eldest son and principal disciple of Rabbi Yehudah Leib Ashlag, the “Baal HaSulam,” Rabbi Baruch Shalom devoted his life to transmitting his father’s teachings in Kabbalah and avodas Hashem.
For decades he taught students privately and publicly, emphasizing:
- Love of fellow Jews.
- Inner spiritual refinement.
- Service of Hashem through humility.
- The study of the inner dimension of Torah.
His writings, collected under the title Baruch Shalom, remain central texts for students of the Baal HaSulam’s school of thought.
🗓️ Today in Chabad History – 5TH Tishreiy
🕯️ 5 Tishrei, 5668 (1907) – The Passing of Rabbi Mordechai Schneersohn, Rav of Vitebsk
On 5 Tishrei 5668 (1907) passed away the gaon and chassid Rabbi Mordechai Schneersohn, son of Rabbi Baruch Shalom Schneersohn (the Rashbatz), grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek, and Rav of the city of Vitebsk.
Rabbi Mordechai belonged to the illustrious Schneersohn family and was renowned for his greatness in both Nigleh and Chassidus. Even while still a young man, he was appointed Rav of Vitebsk, one of the most important Jewish communities in White Russia.
🕯️ The Young Rav of Vitebsk
Shortly after assuming his rabbinical position, Rabbi Mordechai was confronted with a difficult challenge.
One of the city’s veteran shochtim, who enjoyed strong communal support and had a large family depending on him, came under scrutiny. After careful investigation, Rabbi Mordechai concluded that the shochet could no longer continue serving in his position and publicly prohibited him from slaughtering.
The ruling provoked fierce opposition.
The shochet’s supporters included:
Many townspeople.
Influential members of the community.
The city’s butchers, whose livelihoods were affected by the decision.
Despite intense pressure, the young Rav refused to compromise what he believed to be the requirements of halachah.
🕯️ “By the Power of the Torah and My Holy Forefathers”
The shochet openly ignored the ruling and continued his work.
Seeing that his written decision was being disregarded, Rabbi Mordechai took an extraordinary step.
On Shabbos he went to the synagogue frequented by the butchers, where the shochet regularly prayed.
When called to the Torah, Rabbi Mordechai ascended the bimah, grasped the Sefer Torah with both hands, and proclaimed before the congregation:
“By the power of the Torah, and by the power of my holy forefathers, I prohibit this shochet from slaughtering!”
Having made the declaration, he immediately descended from the bimah and left the synagogue.
🕯️ The Outcome
The incident caused an enormous uproar throughout Vitebsk.
People were astonished by the young rabbi’s firmness and unwillingness to yield to public pressure.
In the end, however, his authority prevailed.
The shochet was compelled to relinquish his position, and Rabbi Mordechai’s ruling stood.
🕯️ Legacy
This episode became famous among Chassidim as an illustration of Rabbi Mordechai’s unwavering devotion to truth and halachah.
Though descended from one of the most illustrious families in Chabad history, he did not rely on pedigree alone. Rather, he demonstrated the courage required of a Rav to stand firm for Torah principles even when confronted by strong opposition.
🕯️ Rabbi Mordechai Schneersohn is remembered as a distinguished Torah scholar, a devoted Chassid, and a fearless communal leader who upheld the honor of Torah without compromise.