Table of Contents
đź“… Today in Jewish History
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đź“… Year 2450 – The Jewish people are counted in the Wilderness
On the first day of the month of Iyar, G‑d spoke to Moshe in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the Tent of Meeting, saying: “Raise the head of the entire congregation of the Children of Israel…” Moshe and Aharon then gathered the entire nation on that day, and they were registered by families and ancestral houses, and counted in the Wilderness of Sinai.
(Numbers, chapter 1)
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đź“… Year 2929 – Construction of the First Temple began
In the year 2929, the construction of the First Temple began. It is especially fitting to focus, in Grace After Meals, on the “Have mercy upon us (racham na)” blessing—specifically with the addition instituted by King Solomon at the time he built the First Temple.
📅 Today’s Yahrzeits
🕯️ Rabbi Nosson Ashkenazi Shapiro (Maharnash)
🕯️ Rabbi Yosef Yuska —  author of Yesod Yosef and Ne’imah Kedoshah, passed away.
🕯️ Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch  Ashkenazi —  author of Chacham Tzvi
🕯️ Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke of Nikolsburg —  author of Avodat HaAvodah,
🕯️ Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk
🕯️ Rabbi Yosef of Slutsk  —  author of She’elot u‑Teshuvot Slutsk
🕯️ Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger  —  author of Lev HaIvri
🕯️Rabbi Avraham of Slonim  —  author of Beit Avraham
🕯️ Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Shapira —   author of Be’er Yaakov
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👤Their Background[1]
🕯️ Year 5301 —  Passing of Rabbi Yaakov Beirav
Rabbi Yaakov Beirav, one of the foremost sages of the early sixteenth century, served as Chief Rabbi of Safed and was the leading force behind the historic revival of semichah (classical rabbinic ordination) in the Land of Israel. A disciple of Rabbi Yaakov ibn Chaviv and a teacher of Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Beirav sought to restore central rabbinic authority in preparation for national renewal. His initiative sparked major halachic debate throughout the Jewish world, including opposition from Jerusalem, yet it became one of the most significant attempts in history to reestablish uninterrupted semichah. His influence is felt indirectly through the great halachic codifiers of Safed and the flowering of Torah scholarship there.
🕯️ Year 5336 — Passing of Rabbi Nosson Ashkenazi Shapiro (Maharnash)
Rabbi Nosson (Natan) Ashkenazi Shapiro, known by the acronym Maharnash, was a distinguished gaon, mekubal, and chassidic‑style leader in Eastern Europe. From the Shapiro family of rabbinic stature, he was revered for his combination of scholarship in Nigleh and Nistar, personal piety, and spiritual leadership. Traditions surrounding his yahrzeit associate 1 Iyar with his passing. He is remembered for his depth of Torah, ascetic conduct, and influence on circles that bridged classical rabbinic learning and emerging chassidic spirituality.
🕯️ Year 5460 — Passing of Rabbi Yosef Yuska
Rabbi Yosef Yuska, son of Rabbi Yehuda Yudel, served as Av Beit Din of Minsk and Dubna and was a respected authority in halachah and ethical instruction. He authored Yesod Yosef and Ne’imah Kedoshah, works that combine halachic clarity with moral refinement and yirat Shamayim. He is remembered as a communal leader who balanced legal rigor with spiritual sensitivity, strengthening Jewish life in Eastern Europe during a demanding period.
🕯️ Year 5478 — Anniversary of the Passing of the Chacham Tzvi
Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi, known universally as the Chacham Tzvi, was one of the foremost halachic decisors of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. A fearless defender of Torah tradition, he opposed false messianism and intellectual distortion with courage and independence. His responsa, collected in Chacham Tzvi, are cited widely for their sharp reasoning and fidelity to Talmudic sources. He was the father of Rabbi Yaakov Emden, who carried his legacy forward.
🕯️ Year 5538 — Anniversary of the Passing of Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke of Nikolsburg
Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke, son of Rabbi Tzvi HaLevi Horowitz, was a leading figure among the disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch and one of the earliest great spreaders of chassidut in Central Europe. Serving as Rabbi of Nikolsburg, he combined profound chassidic devotion with classical Torah scholarship. His work Avodat HaAvodah emphasizes inner sincerity, humility, and sanctified Divine service. His date of passing is variously recorded as 22 Iyar, though his tombstone lists 25 Iyar, a matter noted by later authorities.
🕯️ 1 Iyar 5548 (1788) — Passing of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk (the Horodoker)
On 1 Iyar 5548, the righteous tzaddik Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, also known as Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Horodok, passed away in Tiberias. He was born in the city of Vitebsk and in his youth traveled twice to the Baal Shem Tov. He later became one of the earliest and foremost disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch. Rabbi Menachem Mendel was known for his extraordinary humility and self‑nullification. Outwardly, his conduct reflected dignity and spiritual elevation, but inwardly he was utterly broken‑hearted and humble, signing his letters simply as “the truly lowly one.” After the passing of the Maggid, he settled in Horodok near Vitebsk, where he became the recognized leader of the Chassidic movement throughout the region of Reissin (present‑day White Russia). In 5517 (1757) he led the historic first organized ascent of Chassidim to the Land of Israel. After initially settling in Safed, severe opposition and hardships forced him to relocate to Tiberias, where he established a magnificent synagogue. The predominantly Sephardic population of Tiberias accorded him great honor and reverence. Shortly before his passing, he instructed those standing by his side to leave the room, saying: “Behold, G‑d is standing over me.” About an hour later, his soul departed in holiness and purity. He is buried in the cemetery overlooking the Sea of Galilee in Tiberias.
Connections to Chabad Leadership
The Lubavitcher Rebbe (Shabbat Parashat Lech‑Lecha 5711) noted that Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Horodok exercised true spiritual leadership and maintained a close connection to Chabad Chassidus. He was associated not only with elevated Chassidic leadership, but also with exceptional brilliance in revealed Torah (Nigleh). When it was necessary to travel to the Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi traveled together with Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Horodok.
The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe further related that Rabbi Shneur Zalman once traveled to Rabbi Menachem Mendel for an extended period—in a manner akin to a chassid traveling to his Rebbe, reflecting Rabbi Menachem Mendel’s stature in leadership. Among all the letters of Rabbi Shneur Zalman printed in Tanya, only one received an explicit explanation by him: Letter 27, a letter of consolation written upon the passing of Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk.
In a talk delivered on Simchat Torah 5748, the Lubavitcher Rebbe explained that in the period immediately following the Maggid’s passing, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Horodok filled the role of Nasi (leader) until his departure for the Land of Israel—at which point Rabbi Shneur Zalman assumed that role, as is well known from his own writings concerning the nature of Chabad leadership.
🕯️ Year 5624 — Passing of Rabbi Yosef of Slutsk
Rabbi Yosef, son of Rabbi Meir Feimer of Slutsk, was a distinguished halachic authority and the author of She’elot u‑Teshuvot Slutsk. His responsa address practical and communal questions with precision and responsibility, reflecting the serious halachic culture of Lithuanian Jewry. He served as a guide to his community in both law and conduct.
🕯️ Year 5682 — Passing of Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger
Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, son of Rabbi Yechiel Schlesinger, was a prominent rabbinic thinker and author of Lev HaIvri. He was known for his passionate commitment to Jewish tradition and for resisting internal spiritual erosion in an era of social and ideological upheaval. His writings combine polemical clarity with deep emotional attachment to Torah and the Jewish people.
🕯️ Year 5693 — Passing of Rabbi Avraham of Slonim
Rabbi Avraham, son of Rabbi Shmuel of Slonim, was the author of Beit Avraham, one of the foundational works of the Slonim chassidic tradition. His teachings emphasize inner truth, restraint, and sincerity in Divine service. He is regarded as a formative spiritual voice whose influence continues through later generations of Slonimer chassidut.
🕯️ Year 5766 — Passing of Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Shapira
Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Shapira, son of Rabbi Aryeh Shapira, authored Be’er Yaakov, a work known for its thoughtful engagement with Torah insights and ethical reflection. He served his community as a devoted scholar and teacher, leaving behind a legacy of quiet scholarship and responsible leadership.
[1] Please not that these historical notes were prepared with the assistance of Copilot Pro, an AI Research Agent, and have not been independently verified.
