🗓️ Luach Hayom – Today in Halacha & Jewish History: 26th Nissan

🕯️Yehoshua ben Nun

🕯️Rabbi Ephraim Navon — author of Machaneh Ephraim

🕯️ Rabbi Nachman of Nemirov — disciple of Reb Noson of Breslov, editor of Likkutei Halachos

👤Their Background^[1]

🕯️ Yehoshua ben Nun

Yehoshua ben Nun, the faithful disciple and successor of Moshe Rabbeinu, served as the leader of Israel following Moshe’s passing and brought the people into the Land of Israel. From the tribe of Ephraim, he was chosen for his humility, unwavering loyalty to Torah, and complete devotion to his teacher. Yehoshua led Israel through the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, orchestrated the conquest of Jericho, and oversaw the settlement and division of the Land among the tribes. Scripture and the Sages testify that Moshe transmitted the Torah to Yehoshua, and through him to the Elders, making him a crucial link in the chain of tradition. His leadership marked the transition from divine deliverance to national responsibility, grounded in obedience to God and steadfast faith. He passed away on 26 Nisan, and is remembered as the ultimate servant‑leader who fulfilled Moshe’s mission.

• His Halachic novella: The Gemara in Bava Kamma 81a records Ten conditions Yehoshua stipulated when apportioning Eretz Yisrael. The Rambam codifies these explicitly in Hilchot Nizkei Mammon 5:3, listing the ten conditions and their details.
• Allowance for Grazing small animals in forests (under defined limits).
• Allowance for Collecting low‑value wood from another’s field (e.g., thorny shrubs), with limits.
• Allowance for Gathering wild grasses for fodder anywhere except in a field of fenugreek / clover (where it’s beneficial).
• Allowance for Taking saplings/shoots for planting from anywhere except from olive shoots (restricted).
• City residents’ priority/right to a newly emerging spring within their area.
• Allowance for Fishing in the Sea of Tiberias (Kinneret) with hook/line, but not by creating boat‑blocking traps/fences.
• Allowance for Relieving oneself behind a fence, even in a field full of saffron, when needed.
• Allowance for Walking on the sides of roads (even on adjacent private land) to avoid hazards/protrusions in the road.
• If lost among vineyards, one may cut through to find the road (cutting branches as needed).
• A Meis mitzvah “acquires its place” — an unattended corpse is buried where found (within the halachic parameters).

🕯️ Rabbi Ephraim Navon — author of Machaneh Ephraim

Rabbi Ephraim Navon (d. 26 Nisan 5491 / 1731 CE) was one of the outstanding halachic authorities of the Sephardic world. Born in Constantinople, he later settled in Jerusalem, where he devoted many years to intensive Torah study in near seclusion. His monumental work Machaneh Ephraim is a masterful analysis of complex halachic topics, especially in the laws of ownership, acquisition, and legal definitions, and is distinguished by its clarity, originality, and rigorous Talmudic method. The work earned universal acclaim and became a staple in advanced Torah study, frequently cited by later poskim across all communities. Rabbi Ephraim later served as chief rabbi of Constantinople, guiding his community with wisdom and depth. His passing on 26 Nisan marked the loss of a giant of halachic reasoning whose influence continues to shape Torah learning.

• His Halachic novella:[1] The Machaneh Ephraim advanced a notable halachic insight concerning mitzvah objects that must be “lachem”—truly owned by the person performing the mitzvah. He argued that mere physical possession (meshichah) may be insufficient in such cases, since meshichah is treated as a rabbinic-level acquisition, whereas kinyan kesef (payment of money) constitutes a stronger, Torah-level act of ownership. Therefore, for mitzvot such as the Four Species, tzitzit, the ring used for kiddushin, or matzah for Pesach, failing to effect a kinyan kesef could undermine the fulfillment of the mitzvah. In deference to this concern, many are careful to give at least some cash payment when purchasing mitzvah items, so their ownership is unquestionably established.

[1] See Machaneh Efraim Hilchos Kinyan Umeshicha 3, brought in Biur Halacha 11:6

🕯️ Rabbi Nachman of Nemirov — disciple of Reb Noson of Breslov, editor of Likkutei Halachos
Rabbi Nachman of Nemirov was a devoted disciple of Reb Noson of Breslov and one of the key transmitters of Breslov teachings to the next generation. He played a central role in the redaction, preservation, and dissemination of Likkutei Halachos, Reb Noson’s monumental halachic‑theological work that applies the spiritual teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov to all areas of Jewish law. Through tireless scholarship, copying manuscripts, and teaching, Rabbi Nachman ensured the survival of Breslov thought during a period of great hardship and opposition. His life was marked by humility, perseverance, and deep attachment to the path of Breslov—faith, prayer, and spiritual resilience. He passed away on 26 Nisan, and is remembered as a quiet but indispensable pillar of the Breslov tradition.

[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.