🗓️Luach Hayom – Today in Halacha & Jewish History: 5th Nissan

🕯️ Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apt — author of Ohev Yisrael
🕯️ Rabbi Shneur Zalman Fradkin of Lublin — author of Torat Chesed
🕯️ Rabbi Malkiel Tzvi ben Rabbi Yonah HaLevi Tennenbaum of Lomza — author of Divrei Malkiel
🕯️ Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Bluzhov — founder of the Bluzhov dynasty, author of Tzvi LaTzaddik

👤Their Background^[1]

🕯️ Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apt – author of Ohev Yisrael, of blessed memory – Year 5585 (1825)

Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel, known as the Apter Rebbe, was one of the great early Hasidic masters and a disciple of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk and Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov. He served as rabbi in several communities before settling in Mezhbizh, the city of the Baal Shem Tov. His defining trait was his extraordinary love for every Jew, which earned him the title Ohev Yisrael. His sefer is a foundational Hasidic work filled with Torah, Kabbalah, and teachings of compassion and faith.

🕯️ Passing of the Gaon Rabbi Shneur Zalman Fradkin of Lublin – author of Torat Chesed, of blessed memory – Year 5662 (1902)

Rabbi Shneur Zalman Fradkin, known as the Torat Chesed, was born in Liadi and was a disciple of the gaon and chassid Rabbi Eliyahu Yosef Rivlin. He was an outstanding genius in both Nigleh (revealed Torah) and Chassidus, and among the foremost chassidim of the Tzemach Tzedek and the Rebbe Maharash. He first served as a mashpia in Polotsk, and later, under necessity, moved to Lublin, where he was appointed rav and Av Beit Din.

The Rebbe Rayatz related that a bookseller in Lubavitch would only allow Rabbi Shneur Zalman to look at a book’s title page, since once he glanced inside he would already know the entire book by heart and would no longer need to buy it. In 5652 (1892) he ascended to Eretz Yisrael and settled in Jerusalem, where he was immediately appointed Av Beit Din over all the Chassidic communities. The Rebbe Maharash said of him: “For him, forgetfulness did not exist at all,” and the Rebbe Rashab said: “He was a gaon who would have been considered a gaon even in earlier generations,” referring to him in a letter as “Sar HaTorah.” He is buried on the Mount of Olives.

🕯️ Passing of the Gaon Rabbi Malkiel Tzvi ben Rabbi Yonah HaLevi Tennenbaum of Lomza – author of Divrei Malkiel, of blessed memory – Year 5670 (1910)

Rabbi Malkiel Tzvi Tennenbaum served as Av Beit Din of Lomza and was among the foremost halachic decisors of his era. His multi‑volume responsa Divrei Malkiel address complex questions of Jewish law and are widely cited by later authorities. He was known not only for his brilliance in halachah but also for his personal sanctity and humility, and many sought his counsel and blessing.

🕯️ Passing of the holy Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira of Bluzhov – son of Rabbi David of Dinov, of blessed memory – Year 5684 (1924)

Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira, known as the Tzvi LaTzaddik, was the founder of the Bluzhov Hasidic dynasty and a grandson of the author of Bnei Yissaschar. A leading disciple of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz, he was revered as both a Hasidic Rebbe and halachic authority, whose rulings were sought throughout Galicia. He passed away during World War I and left a profound legacy of Torah leadership and chassidic devotion.

[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.