Notable Dates in Adar

Beginning of the Plague of Darkness

Beginning of the Plague of Darkness.

Private Purim of Rabbi Yom Tov Lipmann Heller

Private Purim of Rabbi Yom Tov Lipmann Heller, Rav of Cracow, 1643.

Rav Avraham Ibn Ezra

Spanish-born Torah commentator, grammarian, astronomer, and mathematician who wrote a commentary on the Torah and Navi rooted in Hebrew grammar and the plain meaning of the text.

1089 – 1164

Rav Azarya Figo

Rav of Venice, author of Binah La'itim and Gidulei Terumah.

1579 – 1647

Rav Baruch Halberstam of Gorlitz

Son of Rav Chaim of Sanz, served as Rav of Rudnick and later of Gorlitz.

1830 – 1906

Rav Baruch Rosenberg

Rosh Yeshiva of Slabodka in Bnei Brak, who escaped to Shanghai with the Mir Yeshiva during WWII and served as maggid shiur for 50 years.

1924 – 2004

Rav Emanuel Chai Riki

Kabbalist and author of Mishnas Chassidim, who received semicha from Rav Chaim Abulafia in Tzefas.

1688 – 1743

Rav Menachem Mendel of Shklov

Leader of the aliya of the followers of the Vilna Gaon to Eretz Yisrael, establishing many Minhagei Yerushalayim.

d. 1827

Rav Shabsai HaKohen Katz

Author of Sifsei Kohen (Shach), one of the most authoritative commentaries on the Shulchan Aruch, completing his commentary on Yoreh De'ah at age 24.

1621 – 1662

Rav Yitzchak Eizik Safrin of Komarna

Author of Heichal HaBrachah and Zohar Chai, father of Rav Tzvi Hirsch of Zhidachov and Rav Yissochor Berish of Zhidachov.

d. 1800

Rav Yitzchak Isaac Eichenstein

The Kiviashder Rav of Forest Hills, Queens, Holocaust survivor who established the Central Rabbinical Council of the United States and Canada in 1953.

1913 – 2004

Anti-Jewish Riots in Cracow

Anti-Jewish riots in Cracow, 1682.

Fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar

Fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar; King Jeconiah captured and exiled to Babylon, 598 BCE.

Greek Jews of Salonika Transported to Extermination Camps

Greek Jews from Salonika transported to Nazi extermination camps, 1943.

Justinian Issues Novella 146

Byzantine Emperor Justinian issued Novella 146, restricting Torah study and rabbinic interpretation, 553.

Knesset Bill Defining Who Is a Jew

Knesset bill defining a Jew as one born to a Jewish mother or one converted to Judaism, 1970.

Nazis Confiscate Books and Torah Scrolls of Kovno Ghetto

Nazis confiscated all books and Torah scrolls of the Kovno ghetto, 1942.

Rav Avraham Kalmanowitz

Av Beis Din of Tiktin and Rosh Yeshivas Mir in the U.S., who was a leading figure in the Vaad Hatzalah rescue efforts during WWII.

1891 – 1965

Rav Meir Paprish

Known as the Ohr Tzadikim, he began learning Kabbalah at age 13 as a student of Rav Yaakov Tzemach.

1624 – 1662

Rav Moshe Schwab

Younger brother of Rav Shimon Schwab, he joined Gateshead Yeshiva in 1946 and authored Ma'archei Lev on the Yomim Tovim.

1918 – 1979

Rav Yaakov Yechezkiya Grunwald of Pupa

Known as the Vayaged Yaakov, he served as Rav of Pupa, Hungary, and established a yeshiva of 300 students.

d. 1941

Rav Yisrael Alter

The Beis Yisrael, fourth Rebbe of Ger, who rebuilt the Ger dynasty after the Holocaust and served as a major force in the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah.

1895 – 1977

Rav Yom Tov Algazi

Known as the Maharit Algazi, he served as Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Kel and as Rishon LeTzion, and was a leading student of Rav Shalom Sharabi.

1727 – 1802

Completion of the Second Beit HaMikdash

Building of the Second Beit HaMikdash was completed, 515 BCE.

Rav Chaim Yaakov Goldvicht

Founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Kerem B'Yavne, who studied under Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, the Brisker Rav, and the Chazon Ish.

d. 1994

Rav Eliyahu Dovid Rabinowitz-Teumim

Known as the Aderes, he served as Rav of Ponovezh, Mir, and then as Chief Rabbi of Yerushalayim.

1843 – 1905

Rav Mordechai Yaffe

Known as the Baal HaLevushim, author of Levush Mordechai, he served as Rav of Grodno, Lublin, and Posen.

1530 – 1612

Jews of Rome Declared Free Citizens

Jews of Rome declared free citizens by the French army, 1798.

Maharam of Rothenburg

The body of the Maharam of Rothenburg was released for burial in 1307, fourteen years after his death, ransomed by R' Alexander Susskind Wimpfen.

1215 – 1293

Rav Avraham Blumenkrantz

Student of Rav Moshe Feinstein, well-known for his annual Pesach guide.

1944 – 2007

Rav Leib Sarah's

One of the hidden tzadikim recognized by the Baal Shem Tov, who devoted his life to ransoming imprisoned Jews.

1730 – 1796

Martyrdom of Lulianos and Paphos

Lulianos and Paphos gave themselves up to save innocent Jewish lives in Laodicea, 1st century CE.

Rav Avraham Landau of Tchechenov

Succeeded the Kotzker Rebbe and Rav Yitzchak Meir as a Rebbe when hundreds of their followers turned to him.

d. 1875

Rav Eliezer Gordon

Leader of the Telshe Yeshiva, student of Rav Yisrael Salanter, who was niftar in London on a fundraising mission after a fire destroyed the yeshiva.

1841 – 1910

Rav Mordechai Shlomo Friedman

Boyaner Rebbe in New York, son of the first Boyaner Rebbe, Rav Yitzchak Friedman.

1891 – 1971

Rav Ze'ev Wolf of Ostracha

Close student of the Maggid of Mezritch and Rav Pinchas of Koritz, who made aliya in 1798 and settled in Teveriya.

d. 1823

Expulsion of Jews from Lubeck

Expulsion of the Jews of the Free City of Lubeck, Germany, 1816.

First Printed Chumash with Onkelos and Rashi

The first printed edition of the whole Chumash with Onkelos and Rashi was published in Bologna, 1482.

Martyrdom of R. Shmuel b. Natronai

R. Shmuel b. Natronai, one of the Baalei Tosafot, was tortured and martyred, 1197.

Moshe Rabbeinu Completes Review of the Torah

Moshe Rabbeinu completed his review of the Torah and was told by G-d that his death was coming near.

Rav Daniel Prostitz

Rav of Pressburg and colleague of the Chasam Sofer.

1759 – 1846

Rav Dovid Povarsky

Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh who learned with Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer and whose chavrusa in Shulchan Aruch was Rav Aharon Kotler.

1902 – 1999

Rav Naftali Amsterdam

Leading disciple of Rav Yisrael Salanter who immigrated to Eretz Yisrael in 1902.

1832 – 1916

First Auto-da-Fe of the Spanish Inquisition

First auto-da-fe of the Spanish Inquisition held in Seville; six conversos burned at the stake, 1481.

Jews Expelled from Austria

Jews expelled from Austria, 1670.

Moshe Rabbeinu

Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest prophet and leader of the Jewish people, was born on 7 Adar.

1393 BCE – 1273 BCE

Moshe Rabbeinu

Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest prophet and leader of the Jewish people, passed away on 7 Adar.

1393 BCE – 1273 BCE

Rav Shlomo Ephraim of Lunshitz

Author of the Kli Yakar, he served as Rosh Yeshiva in Lemberg and as Rav of Prague.

1550 – 1619

Rav Yitzchak Eizik Taub of Kalev

Founder of the Kaliver Chassidic dynasty, the first Admor to take up permanent residence in Hungary, remembered as "the sweet singer of Yisrael."

1744 – 1821

Talmud Seized from Jews of France

All copies of the Talmud were seized from the Jews of France on Shabbat, 1240.

Jews of Barbados Granted Permission to Swear on Old Testament

Jews of Barbados were granted permission to take an oath on the Old Testament, 1674.

Rav Aryeh Leib Hanover

Son of the Pnei Yehoshua, served as Rav of Hanover and author of Pnei Aryeh on Bava Kamma.

1715 – 1789

Rav Moshe Aharon Stern

Grandson of Reb Yaakov Yosef Herman, he served as mashgiach at the Kamenitz Yeshiva for 20 years.

1926 – 1998

Yeshiva Etz Chaim Established

Yeshiva Etz Chaim, the first elementary school with secular studies in the U.S., established 1886.

First Dispute Between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai

Traditional date of the first dispute between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai.

Rav Chaim Ephraim Zeitchek

Mashgiach of Novardok in Yerushalayim and Rosh Yeshivas Ohr Chodosh.

d. 1989

Rav Menachem Mendel Stern

Student of Rav Yaakov Lorberbaum of Lissa, he served as Rav of Sighet, Hungary.

1759 – 1834

Rav Shimon Shkop

One of the great Talmudic methodologists, Rosh Yeshiva of Shaarei Torah in Grodno, and author of the widely studied Sha'arei Yosher.

1860 – 1940

Rav Shmuel Dovid Ungar

Nitra Rav and Rosh Yeshiva.

1886 – 1945

Rav Yechiel Schlesinger

Founded Kol Torah Yeshiva in Yerushalayim in 1939, served as a dayan in Frankfurt.

1899 – 1948

Austrian Jews Granted Equal Rights

Jews of the Austrian Empire were granted equal civil and political rights, 1849.

Massacre of Jews of Freiburg

Massacre of the Jews of Freiburg, Germany, 1349, in the Black Death riots.

Rav Alexander Moshe Lapidus

Student of Rav Yisrael Salanter, author of Divrei Emes.

1819 – 1906

Rav Yosef Baruch Epstein

Known as the Gutteh Yid of Neustadt, son of the Maor Vashemesh.

d. 1867

First Printing of Rashi on Torah

First printing of Rashi on Torah, Italy, 1475.

First Printing of the Whole Tanach

First printing of the whole Tanach, 1488.

Pope Prohibits Anti-Jewish Sermons

Pope prohibits anti-Jewish sermons, 1434.

Rav Avraham Borenstein of Sochatchov

Author of Avnei Nezer and Eglei Tal, son-in-law of the Kotzker Rebbe, and Rav of Sochatchov whose lectures lasted six to eight hours.

1838 – 1910

Rav Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai

Known as the Chida, he authored Birkei Yosef and Shem HaGedolim, and served as emissary for the Jewish communities of Eretz Yisrael.

1724 – 1806

Rav Gershon Ashkenazi

Chief Rabbi of Austria until the expulsion of 1670, author of Avodas HaGershuni which is a major source on the Chmielnicki massacres.

1625 – 1693

Rav Shmuel Brudny

Rosh Yeshivas Mir who escaped to Shanghai during WWII while his family was murdered by the Nazis.

1915 – 1981

Rav Yosef Rosen of Dvinsk

The Rogatchover Gaon, author of Tzofnas Paneach, who learned with the young Rav Chaim Soloveitchik and served as Rav of Dvinsk.

1858 – 1936

Downfall of Haman

Downfall of Haman.

Rav Chaim David Halevy

Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv for 25 years, author of Aseh Lecha Rav and Mekor Chaim.

1924 – 1998

Rav Pinchas Hager of Borsha

Rebbe of Borsha, raised by the Imrei Baruch of Vizhnitz, who perished in the Holocaust along with his two brothers.

1869 – 1941

Fast of Esther

Fast of Esther (Ta'anis Esther).

Rav Moshe Feinstein

Widely regarded as the supreme halachic authority for Orthodox Jewry in North America, author of Igros Moshe, and Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim.

1895 – 1986

Rav Yehuda HeChasid

Author of Sefer Chasidim, one of the most important works of Jewish ethical literature.

1150 – 1217

War Between Jews and Their Enemies in the Persian Empire

War between the Jews and their enemies throughout the Persian Empire, 474 BCE.

Yom Nicanor - Maccabees Defeat Nicanor

The Maccabees defeated the Syrian general Nicanor, 161 BCE.

Purim

Celebration of the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people from Haman's plot to annihilate every Jew in the Persian Empire.

Rav Shimon Schwab

Rav of the Washington Heights community of New York, who escaped Nazi Germany and succeeded Rav Joseph Breuer.

1908 – 1995

Rav Ze'ev Wolf of Zhitomer

Student of the Maggid of Mezeritch, author of Or Hameir, one of the early foundation texts of Chassidus.

d. 1800

King Agrippa Begins Construction of Jerusalem Gate

King Agrippa I began construction of a gate for the wall of Jerusalem, circa 42 CE.

Rav Yosef Leifer of Pittsburgh

Known as the Tzidkas Yosef, a descendant of Rav Meir HaGadol of Premishlan, who lost two sons in the Holocaust.

1891 – 1966

Rav Zvi Hirsch Kaidanover

Author of Kav Hayashar, a popular mussar and Kabbalistic work.

d. 1712

Shushan Purim

In walled cities from the time of Yehoshua bin Nun, Purim is celebrated on 15 Adar.

Ghetto Pillars of Ferrara Destroyed

The ghetto pillars of Ferrara, Italy, were destroyed by professors and students of the Athenaeum, 1848.

Jews Excluded from Public Office in Roman Empire

Jews were excluded from public offices and dignities in the Roman Empire, 418.

Jews of New Amsterdam Denied Right to Build Synagogue

Jews of New Amsterdam were denied the right to erect a synagogue, 1656.

Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Incorporated

Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary was incorporated, 1897.

Rav Pinchas Menachem Alter

The Pnei Menachem, Rebbe of Ger, fifth son of the Imrei Emes, who served as Rosh Yeshiva of Sefas Emes from age 30.

1926 – 1996

Rav Yitzchak Friedman of Boyan

Founder of the Boyaner Chassidim and author of Pachad Yitzchak, grandson of Rav Yisrael of Rizhin.

1849 – 1917

Bulgarian Agreement to Deport Jews

The Bulgarian commissar signed an agreement permitting Germany to deport 26,000 Jews to extermination camps, 1943.

Jewish Quarter of Old Jerusalem Besieged

The Jewish quarter of Old Jerusalem was besieged by Arabs, 1948.

Rav Avraham Menachem Danziger

The ninth Admor of Alexander, a Chassidic dynasty that was nearly destroyed in the Holocaust.

1921 – 2005

Rav Shimon Sofer

Rav and Av Beis Din of Cracow, second son of the Chasam Sofer.

1821 – 1883

Rav Yechezkel Landau

The Noda BiYehuda, one of the greatest poskim of the 18th century, served as Rav of Prague for over 30 years.

1713 – 1793

David Emmanuel Sworn In as Governor of Georgia

David Emmanuel was sworn in as governor of Georgia, 1801.

Expulsion of Jewish Artisans from Moscow

A Russian imperial decree ordering the expulsion of all Jewish artisans from Moscow, 1891.

First Anglo-Jewish Periodical in the United States Published

The first Anglo-Jewish periodical in the United States, The Jew, was published, 1823.

Jews of Smyrna Attacked Over Ritual Murder Charge

Jews of Smyrna, Turkey were attacked by Greeks charging ritual murder, 1901.

Napoleon Suspends Jewish Emancipation

Napoleon I issued a decree suspending emancipation of Jews in French-occupied countries, 1808.

Pope Reaffirms Forced Baptism Rule

The Pope reaffirmed a Church rule forcing Christianity upon a Jewish child baptized against parents' will, 1747.

Rav Alexander Ziskind of Horodna

Author of Yesod V'Shoresh Ha'Avodah, a foundational mussar work on daily conduct and kavanos for tefillos and mitzvos.

1700 – 1794

Rav Chaim Kanievsky

Son of the Steipler Gaon, he completed the entire Talmud Bavli, Yerushalmi, and Rambam annually and was widely regarded as a leading Torah authority.

1928 – 2022

Rav Chanoch Henoch HaKohen

Alexander Rebbe, disciple of Rav Simcha Bunam of Pshis'cha, the Kotzker Rebbe, and the Chidushei HaRim.

1798 – 1870

Rav Yechezkel Levenstein

Mashgiach of Ponevezh who learned with the Chafetz Chaim in Radin and served as mashgiach in Kletsk, Lomza, Mir, and Ponevezh.

1885 – 1974

Capture of Ein Gedi Ends War of Independence

Capture of Ein Gedi by Israel, 1949, ended the military engagements of the War of Independence.

Rav Meir Yechiel Halstock of Ostrovtze

Rebbe of Ostrovtze, one of two courts in Poland known for their high level of learning, author of Meir Einei Chachamim and Ohr Torah.

1851 – 1928

Rav Yaakov Chaim Jofen

Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Yosef for sixty years, grandson-in-law of the Alter of Novardok.

1917 – 2003

Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld

Av Beis Din and Rav of Yerushalayim before the establishment of the State of Israel.

1848 – 1932

Restriction on Sale of Arab Land to Jews in Palestine

The restriction of the sale of Arab land to Jews in Palestine went into effect, 1940.

Choni HaMagel's Prayer for Rain Answered

Choni Ha'M'agel's prayer for rain was answered.

Death of Commodore Uriah Phillips Levy

Commodore Uriah Phillips Levy died, 1862.

Purim Vinz - Private Purim of Frankfurt

Private Purim of the Jews of Frankfurt (Purim Vinz), from 1616.

Rav Meir Schiff

The Maharam Schiff, known for his terse, incisive, and profound chidushim on the Talmud, who became Rav of Fulda at age 17.

1608 – 1644

Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach

Rosh Yeshiva of Kol Torah for nearly 50 years, author of Minchas Shlomo and Meorei Eish, with an estimated 300,000 attending his levaya.

1910 – 1995

Rav Yoel Sirkes

Known as the Bach, author of Bayis Chadash on the Tur, Chief Rabbi of Cracow, and teacher and father-in-law of the Taz.

1561 – 1641

Purim of Narbonne

Purim of Narbonne, oldest private Purim on record, 1236.

Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk

Author of Noam Elimelech, student of the Maggid of Mezritch, and teacher of the Chozeh of Lublin and other great Chassidic leaders.

1717 – 1787

Rav Moshe Shmuel Glasner

Great-grandson of the Chasam Sofer, Rabbi of Klausenberg, and author of Dor Revi'i on Tractate Chullin.

1856 – 1924

Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin

Editor of the Talmudic Encyclopedia, who pioneered the systematic encyclopedic treatment of Talmudic and halachic subjects.

1888 – 1978

Rav Yitzchak Elchonon Spector

Rav of Kovno for 32 years, author of Be'er Yitzchak, Ein Yitzchak, and Nachal Yitzchak.

1817 – 1896

Massacre of Jews of Uberlingen

Jews of Uberlingen, Switzerland, were massacred, 1349.

Rav Avraham Dov Ber Kahana-Shapiro

Chief Rabbi of Kovno who died in the Slobodka ghetto, author of Dvar Avraham.

1870 – 1943

Rav Reuven Grozovsky

Rosh Yeshivas Kamenitz and Torah Vodaas, successor of Rav Baruch Ber Leibowitz.

1896 – 1958

Rav Yechiel Michel Epstein

Author of the Aruch HaShulchan, Rav of Novardok for 34 years, and father of the author of Torah Temimah.

1829 – 1908

Rav Yisrael Moshe Dushinsky

Rosh Yeshiva of Dushinsky and Av Beis Din of the Eida Charedis, son of Rav Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky.

1921 – 2003

Dedication of the Second Beit HaMikdash

The Second Beit HaMikdash was dedicated, 516 BCE.

Massacre of Jews of Estella

Massacre of the Jews of Estella, Spain, 1328.

Rav Raphael Shapiro

Rosh Yeshivas Volozhin who reopened it in 1899, son-in-law of the Netziv and father-in-law of Rav Chaim Soloveitchik.

1837 – 1921

Rav Yisrael Grossman

Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshivas Chabad for 30 years and dayan for the beis din of Agudas Yisrael for over 40 years.

1922 – 2007

Rav Yitzchak Meir Alter

The Chidushei HaRim, founder of the Ger dynasty, who had 13 children and outlived them all yet accepted the tragedy with love.

1799 – 1866

Seven-Day Practice Period of Assembling the Mishkan

The beginning of the seven-day practice period of assembling the Mishkan.

First Organized Arab Assault on Petach Tikva

First organized Arab assault on a Jewish settlement (Petach Tikva), 1886.

German Troops March into Prague

German troops marched into Prague, 1939.

Germany Occupied Hungary

Germany occupied Hungary, 1944.

Jews of Gluchor Massacred by Ukrainian Mob

Jews of Gluchor massacred by Ukrainian mob, 1918.

Jews of Lithuania Permitted to Return After Exile

Jews of Lithuania were granted permission to return after 8 years exile, 1503.

Jews of Wurtzburg Massacred by Crusaders

Jews of Wurtzburg were massacred by the Crusaders, 1147.

Pope Bans Social Intercourse Between Christians and Jews

The Pope issued a bull banning all social intercourse between Christians and Jews, 1451.

Rav Aryeh Leib Heller

Author of Ketzos HaChoshen and Avnei Miluim, among the most widely studied works in yeshivos, produced despite extreme poverty.

1745 – 1812

Rav Eliyahu HaKohen Ha'Itamari

Author of Shevet Mussar and nearly 40 other sefarim, whose lineage traces back to Itamar, son of Aharon HaKohen.

1650 – 1729

Rav Shlomo Elyashiv

Great Kabbalist, author of Leshem Shevo Ve'achlama, Drushei Olam HaTohu, and Hakdamos V'Sha'arim.

1841 – 1926

Rav Yehoshua Menachem Ehrenberg

Author of Teshuvos Dvar Yehoshua, Av Beis Din of Yaffo, widely regarded as the foremost posek on Gittin.

1904 – 1976

Rav Yitzchak Meyer of Alesk

Succeeded his father as Rav of Alesk in 1884, a chasid of Rav Yisrael of Ruzhin and Rav Dovid Moshe of Chortkov.

1829 – 1904

Death of Nebuchadnezzar

Death of Nebuchadnezzar, 561 BCE.

Jews of Strasbourg Burned at Cemetery

Jews of Strasbourg burned at the Jewish cemetery, 1349.

King of France Orders Detention of Jews in Paris

King of France orders the detention for ransom of all Jews in Paris, 1181.

President Harrison Petitioned for Jewish State in Palestine

U.S. President Harrison petitioned to aid in reestablishment of Palestine as Jewish state, 1891.

Rav Gershon Kitover

Brother-in-law of the Baal Shem Tov, the first of the Besht's talmidim to move to Eretz Yisrael.

1696 – 1761

Rav Yaakov Yisrael Fischer

Head of the Eida HaChareidis Rabbinical Court, whose chavrusa was Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer.

1925 – 2003

World Mizrachi Founded in Vilna

World Mizrachi was founded in Vilna, 1902.

Newport Jewish Community Purchases Burial Ground

The Jewish community of Newport, R.I. purchased a plot of land for a burial ground, 1677.

Operation Nahshon Begins

Operation Nahshon, Haganah's first large-scale offensive, began, 1948.

Pope Orders Burning of the Talmud

The Pope issued a bull ordering the burning of the Talmud, 1244.

Rav Avraham Chaim Brim

A leading talmid chacham and baal mussar in Yerushalayim.

1921 – 2002

Sarah Schenirer

Founder of the Bais Yaakov movement, which revolutionized Torah education for Jewish women.

1883 – 1935

Jews Massacred in Stamford-Fair

Jews massacred in Stamford-fair, England, 1190.

King of Austria Grants Favorable Rights to Jews

King of Austria grants favorable rights to Jews, 1255.

Rav Chaim Sinuani

Rav and Av Beis Din of Sinuan, Yemen, who participated in Operation Magic Carpet in 1949.

1898 – 1979

Rav Yeshayah Schorr

Author of Klil Tiferes on Chumash, Rav of Iasi on the Romania-Moldova border.

d. 1879

Rav Yisrael Bergstein

Student of Rav Shimon Shkop and the Alter of Slabodka, taught at Chafetz Chaim in Baltimore and founded a yeshiva in White Plains.

1912 – 1998

Rav Yosef Shaul Nathanson

Author of Sheilos U'Teshuvos HaShoel U'Maishiv, Rav of Lvov for nearly 20 years.

1810 – 1875

Tzidkiyahu (Zedekiah)

Last king of Yehuda, who died in captivity in Bavel.

d. 561 BCE

Antiochus V Grants Religious Freedom to Jews

Antiochus V granted religious freedom and autonomy to the Jews of Eretz Yisrael, 163 BCE.

Jews of Prussia Granted Rights

Jews of Prussia were granted rights, 1277.

Purim of Cairo

Purim of Cairo was observed annually in commemoration of an escape from massacre, 1524.

Rav Moshe Chevroni

Rosh Yeshiva of Chevron.

d. 1986

Rav Shmuel Halevi Klein of Boskowitz

Author of Machatzis HaShekel, a super-commentary on the Magen Avraham on Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim.

1738 – 1827

Roman Decrees Against Torah Study Rescinded

Roman decrees against Torah study, circumcision, and Shabbat observance were rescinded, 2nd century CE.

Austrian Jews Required to Belong to Government Religious Community

Jews of Austria were required by law to belong to the government-established religious community, 1890.

Napoleon Captures Jaffa

Napoleon captured the city of Jaffa, Palestine, 1799.

Rav Shlomo HaCohen Rabinowitz of Radomsk

First Rebbe of the Radomsk dynasty, author of Tiferes Shlomo on Chumash and the Moadim.

1801 – 1866

Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky

Rosh Yeshiva of Torah Vodaas who, along with Rav Moshe Feinstein, led American Jewry in halachic and spiritual guidance. Author of Emes LeYaakov.

1891 – 1986

30 Adar - Only in Adar Rishon of Leap Years

Only Adar Rishon (in a 13-month year) can have 30 days.

Jewish Agency Headquarters in Jerusalem Bombed

Headquarters of the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem was bombed by Arab militants, 1948.