Table of Contents
đ Today in Jewish History
đ The Battle of Yehoshua against the Philistines at EvenâŻHaEzer
âAnd the word of Samuel came to all Israel, and Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle. They encamped at EvenâŻHaEzer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. The Philistines drew up against Israel, the battle spread out, and Israel was struck down before the PhilistinesâŚâ (see IâŻSamuel, chaptersâŻ4)
The elders of Israel said, âWhy has Gâd smitten us today before the Philistines?ââuntil, in their desperation, even the Ark of Gâd was brought into the battlefield, a tragic episode that revealed the danger of relying on sacred symbols without spiritual readiness.
đ Todayâs Yahrzeits
đŻď¸ YearâŻ5293 (1533) â Passing of Rabbi Avigdor ben Rabbi Yitzchak Kara
AvâŻBeitâŻDin of Prague, author of HaKanehâŻHaGadol
In this generation passed away Rabbi Avigdor ben Rabbi Yitzchak Kara, one of the leading rabbinic authorities of Prague, who served as AvâŻBeitâŻDin and was renowned for his halachic acumen and leadership. He was the author of HaKanehâŻHaGadol, a significant work reflecting his deep engagement with halachah and communal responsibility.
Rabbi Avigdor Kara belonged to the distinguished Kara family, which produced generations of eminent scholars in Ashkenaz. His legacy endures through his writings and through the central role he played in maintaining Torah authority and judicial integrity in one of Europeâs most important Jewish communities. Of blessed memory.
đŻď¸ YearâŻ5664 (1904) â Passing of the holy Rabbi Chaim ben Rabbi Moshe Friedlander of Liska
Author of Tal Chaim uâBerachah, a work reflecting deep spiritual insight and devotion. Rabbi Chaim Friedlander was a revered Chassidic figure associated with Liska, known for his piety and dedication to avodatâŻHashem. Of blessed memory.
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đŻď¸ YearâŻ5686 (1926) â Passing of the holy Rabbi Moshe Hagâer of Shotz
Son of Rabbi Baruch of Vizhnitz, known affectionately as âDer Shabbos Yidâ (âthe Jew of Shabbatâ) for his extraordinary holiness and elevation expressed especially on Shabbat. Rabbi Moshe was renowned for his purity of character, deep reverence, and quiet spiritual influence upon those around him. He exemplified the sanctity of Shabbat in his conduct and bearing, leaving a lasting impression in the Chassidic world. Of blessed memory.
đ Today in Chabad History
đ 9 Iyar 5594 (1834) The Circumcision of the Rebbe Maharash
On the eighth day after the birth of Rabbi Shmuel Schneerson (the Rebbe Maharash), the holy Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (the Tzemach Tzedek) instructed that Shacharit should be prayed early, at ten oâclock, due to the circumcision that was to take place that day.
All the members of the family arrived, foremost among them Rabbi Chaim Avraham, grandson of the Alter Rebbe. As two hours passed after midday, and the Tzemach Tzedek remained secluded in his holy chamber, the assembled guests began to grow uneasy. At that point, Rabbi Chaim Avraham spoke and said, âApparently he is engaged with guests dearer than ourselvesâlet us wait patiently.â
After another half hour, the Tzemach Tzedek emerged from his room, his holy face pale, his eyes reddened from tears, and a red handkerchief in his hand. He announced that the circumcision would indeed take place that day, then paused briefly and returned to his chamber.
Rabbi Chaim Avraham rose from his place, approached the window, rested his head upon his hands, and became deeply absorbed in thought. Meanwhile, the sons of the Tzemach Tzedek spoke among themselves in matters of Torah and Chassidut, while the tension and anticipation of the guests continued to intensify.
At one point, the Rebbetzin sent a messenger to inquire why the circumcision was being delayed and instructed that her husband be asked directly. Rabbi Chaim Avraham, however, stopped the messenger, preventing the question from being brought before the Tzemach Tzedek.
After three oâclock, the Tzemach Tzedek emerged again, this time with a radiant expression, and told the guests to set their minds at ease, for the circumcision would take place that day. He then returned once more to his chamber.
At four oâclock, he came out for the third time and instructed that Mincha should not be prayed, as the circumcision would soon begin. Shortly thereafter, he left his room and went to the chamber of the mother, where he discussed the naming of the child, and then gave instructions to prepare the infant for the brit. The Tzemach Tzedek placed his left hand beneath the pillow and rested it upon the head of the child, and from that moment onward the infant did not cry again. During the festive meal following the circumcision, Rabbi Yehiel (the Maharil)âson of the Tzemach Tzedekâasked his father:
âAfter whom did you name the child? It seems that there is no such name in our family.â
He then added, âPerhaps it is after the Prophet Samuel?â The Tzemach Tzedek replied:
âHe is named after a waterâdrawer from Polotzk, whose name was Shmuel, for a sage is preferable to a prophet.â
Elsewhere it is related that the Tzemach Tzedek told the Rebbetzin that the Prophet Samuel himself came to request that his name be bestowed upon the child, as it is written, âFor from Gâd I requested himââas is stated regarding Samuel in the Torah.
