02 July 2026
The Seventeenth of Tammuz in History - repost
1 Tammuz
- Yaakov and family went down to Mitzrayim (according to one source. This would be the establishment of the first voluntary Jewish settlement outside of Eretz Yisrael).
3 Tammuz
- Yehoshua “commanded” the Sun and the Moon to stand still.
5 Tammuz
- Yechezkeil’s first prophecy, 502b.c.e.
9 Tammuz
- Nevuchadnezer’s army breached the walls of Jerusalem, 586bce.
- Pompey captured Jerusalem and killed 12,000 Jews, 63bce.
10 Tammuz
- Tzidkiyahu HaMelech was captured by the Babylonians, 586bce.
15 Tammuz
- Chur, son of Miriam was killed attempting to dissuade the people from demanding the golden calf. As such he is the first Jew to die “Al Kiddush HaShem”, in defense of his faith.
16 Tammuz]
- The golden calf emerged from the fire into which gold of Bnei Yisrael was thrown.
17 Tammuz -
Shiva Asar B'Tammuz: Fast Day and beginning of "The Three Weeks"
The fast of Shiva Asar B'Tammuz: Declared by the Neviim / Prophets, that marks the beginning of "The Three Weeks," a period of mourning for the destruction of Yerushalayim / Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash / Holy Temple, culminating in the fast of Tisha b'Av.
17 Tammuz 1656 - 2105 B.C.E.:
On this day, Noach sent out the dove the first time to see if the waters of the Mabul / Great Flood have receded; (according to Rab' Eliezer) "But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot and she returned to the ark..." (Bereishit / Genesis 8:9). Some say that was a sign that Bnei Yisrael (who are compared to the dove - Shir HaShirim, 2:14) won’t find rest on this day when the walls of Yerushalayim were breached….. See Da’at Zekeinim (Bereishit, 8:3)
The Talmud (Taanit 28b) lists five tragic events in Jewish history that occurred on the 17th of Tammuz, on account of which a fast was instituted on this day:
1) Moshe came down from Har / Mt. Sinai with the first stone Luchot / Tablets, inscribed with the Aseret Hadibrot / Ten Commandments. Moshe broke the Luchotwhen he saw the Bnei Yisroel / people of Israel worshipping the Egel HaZahav / Golden Calf (2448/1313 B.C.E. or 2449/1312 B.C.E.)
2) The walls of Yerushalayim were breached in 3339/422 B.C.E. before the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash / First Temple and in 3829/69 C.E. before the destruction of the Second Beit HaMikdash, according to the Talmud Yerushalmi, Taanit 4:5 The city of Yerushalayim / Jerusalem is conquered.
According to the literal meaning of the verse in Melachim / Kings, during the first churban (destruction) this actually took place on 9 Tammuz. [The Yerushalmi states that the wrong date was recorded due to the enormity of the tzarot (troubles).]
3) The korban tamid (the daily sacrificial offering) in the Beit HaMikdash was discontinued, three weeks before the Babylonians' destruction of the First Beit HaMikdash in 423 BCE.
4) King Menashe placed an idol in the heichal of the (first) Beit HaMikdash.
5) Apostomus, a Greek officer who ruled Eretz Yisrael before the destruction of the Second Beit HaMikdash, burned a sefer Torah in public (3823/63 B. C.E.), setting a precedent for the horrific burning of Jewish books throughout the centuries. According to some, it was he who placed the idol in the Beit HaMikdash at the same time he burned the sefer Torah.
The fighting in Yerushalayim / Jerusalem continued for three weeks until the 9th of Av, when the Beit HaMikdash was set aflame.
17 Tammuz - 1099:
Crusaders captured Yerushalayim.
17 Tammuz - 1148:
Anti-Jewish riots in Cordova, Spain.
17 Tammuz - 1388:
The Jews of Lithuania received a Charter of Privilege.
17 Tammuz 5151 - June 20, 1391:
:
While the Jews of Toledo, Spain were commemorating the fall of the Beit HaMikdash, their Christian neighbors, incited by the archdeacon of Ejica, Ferrand Martinez, attacked. 4,000 Jews were massacred in Toledo, Spain, sparking pogroms in other Spanish Jewish communities, leading to widespread poverty and deaths. Rabbeinu Yehudah of Toledo, the son of the Rosh, (Rabbeinu Asher), his wife (the daughter of the Baal Haturim), and his mother-in-law were killed al kiddush Hashem. Hy"d.
This followed massacres in Seville, where 4000 Jews were murdered. Hy"d, and many others were forced to convert, as well as in Cordova.
On Tisha B'Av 5252/1492, 101 years later, the extinction of Spanish Jewry was completed with the mass expulsion.
Our sages found a hint to the tragedies of the seventeenth of Tammuz in the
story of Noach and the dove which took place on this day, as mentioned
above. The dove's not finding a "resting place" alludes to the trials
which the Bnei Yisroel / people of Israel, which are likened to a dove, experienced on
this day many generations later.
17 Tammuz 5536 - July 4, 1776:
The Declaration of Independence was announced in the "new" country of America promising religious freedom for all. The Declaration of Independence eventually provided the basis for religious tolerance in most other countries. While there were less than 2,500 Jews within the colonies, approximately 600 Jews participated in the revolution including 24 officers (and the great-grandfather of Supreme Court Justice Cardozo). Isaac Franks, David Salisbury Franks and Solomon Bush all attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. One company in South Carolina had so many Jews that it was called the “Jews Company”.
17 Tammuz 5558 - July 1, 1798:
· Special taxes on Jews were finally abolished in Switzerland.
17 Tammuz 5701 - July 12, 1941:
4000 Jews of the Bialystoker ghetto were shot al kiddush Hashem. Hy"d..
17 Tammuz 5701 - July 12, 1941:
Several hundred Jewish women and girls were abducted from their houses, raped and shot by the S.S. during the night in Khotin, Ukraine. Hy"d.
17 Tammuz 5730 - July 21, 1970:
All Jewish property was confiscated in Libya.
17 Tammuz 5762 - June 27, 2002:
In a landmark church-state decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that tuition vouchers were constitutional.
17 Tammuz Yahrtzeits
Rabbeinu Yehudah of Toledo, the son of the Rosh, (Rabbeinu Asher), his wife (the daughter of the Baal Haturim), and his mother-in-law were killed al kiddush Hashem. Hy"d. (1391). See above.
HaRav Yitzchak Hakohen Rappaport, zt”l, (1680 - 5515 / 1755), author of Batei Kehunah
He learned in Yerushalayim in Yeshivat Beit Yaakov, but due to the difficult situation in Eretz Yisrael was sent as an emissary to Turkey and the Balkans to raise money. In 1714 he was invited to be the Rav in Izmir, where he served for 36 years. He returned to Yerushalayim in his old age in 1749 and became the Chief Rabbi.
HaRav Chaim Tzvi Mannheimer, zt”l, (5574 / 1814 - 5646 / 1886), Rav of Ungvar and author of Ein Habdolach.
Harav Chaim Tzvi was born in 5574/1814 to Harav Dovid Leib Mannheimer and Rebbetzin Sheindel.
In his youth, Reb Chaim Tzvi learned under Harav Yaakov Koppel Altenkonstanst, also known as Reb Koppel Charif, mechaber of Chiddushei Yaavetz. From this yeshivah, Reb Chaim Tzvi went on to Toplatchon, to the yeshivah of Harav Binyamin Zev Lev, the author of Shaarei Torah. After that, Reb Chaim Tzvi moved on to the yeshivah of the Chatam Sofer — all before he became bar mitzvah!
The Chatam Sofer arranged a shidduch for him with the daughter of a naggid from Grupe who was willing to support a chattan dedicated to learning. Following his wedding to Gittel in 5592/1832, Rav Chaim Tzvi settled near his father-in-law.
A few years later, the Chatam Sofer told him that the time had come to not rely fully on his father-in-law and advised him to take up a Rabbinic position. Reb Chaim Tzvi said he did not feel worthy. The Chatam Sofer told Reb Chaim Tzvi that if he wouldn’t take the Rabbanut by choice, it would fall on him anyway.
Reb Chaim Tzvi went to work for his father-in-law by day and dedicated the nights to Torah learning. Once, on a business trip, he was robbed and badly hurt. When he returned home, he saw a letter from the Chatam Sofer. “I told you to take up a Rabbinic post by choice…” It was then that Reb Chaim Tzvi finally agreed to become a Rav. He accepted an offer from Shutelsdorf, the first kehillah that offered him a position.
Since the city was relatively small, Reb Chaim Tzvi found time for learning and opened a small yeshivah in the city as well. Later, he became Rav in Verboi, after their Rav, Harav Shmuel Zomer, moved to Pupa. In Verboi, Reb Chaim Tzvi also opened a yeshivah.
After the petirah of Harav Meir Asch, the city of Ungvar was without a Rav, and the Haskalah movement was making inroads there. The leaders of the Torah community of the city all agreed that the best person to fill the post was Reb Chaim Tzvi. Thus he became Rav in Ungvar in 5621/1861. Reb Chaim Tzvi also had an impressive yeshivah in Ungvar.
Rav Chaim Tzvi was niftar on 17 Tammuz 5646/1886 and was buried in Ungvar.
A few years before the outbreak of World War II, his talmidim published some of his responsa in Shu”t Ein Habdolach.
HaRav Avraham Tzvi ben Harav Chaim Ungar, zt”l, Hy”d, (5658 / 1898 - 5704/1944), Rav of Kapawar, Hy”d. Born in Tzehelem, (now Deutschkreutz), in Burgenland, Austria, he was a sixth generation descendant of the Panim Me’irot and a descendant of the Arizal.
As a young child he spent many hours of the day learning. Before his bar mitzvah, he was accepted to the yeshiva of his uncle, Harav Eliezer Dovid Greenwald, the Keren L’Dovid, in Tzehelem.
When the Keren L’Dovid left Tzehelem, Reb Avraham Tzvi moved to the yeshiva of Harav Shmuel Rosenberg, the Be’er Shmuel, in Unsdorf. After several years in Unsdorf, Reb Avraham Tzvi returned to Tzehelem. He was given semichah by the Keren L’Dovid in 5674/1914.
During World War I, Reb Avraham Tzvi fled to Vienna, where he became close with Harav Moshe of Shinev, who was also in Vienna.
After his marriage, Reb Avraham Tzvi settled in Beled, where he plumbed the depths of Torah together with his close friend, Harav Yoel Pelner.
Later, he moved to Kapawar, (Kapuvar, a suburb of Shofron, Hungary), where he served as Rav. He opened and developed mosdot of chinuch — a Talmud Torah and a yeshiva — realizing this was the future of Klal Yisrael. He was met with fierce opposition, but Reb Avraham Tzvi did not waver.
Reb Avraham Tzvi was close with many Rebbes, notably the Minchat Elazar of Munkacz.
He was noted for his avodah in tefillah.
When the Nazis reached Hungary in the summer of 5704 / 1944, Reb Avraham Tzvi was not spared. The Nazis deported the Ungar family to the Shopron ghetto near the Hungarian border. From there they were taken to Auschwitz, where the father, mother and five younger children were murdered. Hashem yinkom damam. All five elder brothers survived. Reb Avraham Tzvi was killed on Shabbat, at the age of 46. His five elder sons survived.
His son, Rav Yitzchak Shlomo, related that his father was a mohel, and he took his knife with him even to Auschwitz. On the last day of his life, as he was being transported to his death, he met a lady from his kehillah who had an eight-day-old infant with her. On the train, Reb Avraham Tzvi performed the emotional brit, adding that the baby will now be a Yiddishe boy being mekadesh Shem Shamayim.
After the war, Reb Avraham Tzvi’s son Harav Yitzchak Shlomo moved to Eretz Yisrael and became a Rav in Bnei Brak. He established Yeshivat Machaneh Avraham Chug Chatam Sofer, named in his father’s memory, in 5722 / 1962. He also published his father’s works, Machaneh Avraham on masechtot Mikvaot and Beitzah.
HaRav Yaakov Yosef Herman, zt”l, (1880 - 5727 / 1967). A native of Slutsk, Russia, he immigrated with his parents and younger sister to New York City at the age of 8 and was left on his own five years later after his family returned to Russia. Following his marriage, Herman's home became known for hachnosat orchim - feeding and lodging dozens of people in his home, including visiting European rabbonim seeking kosher meals. He displayed a staunch commitment to mitzvah observance at a time that many abandoned their faith, and urged promising young Jewish men to pursue advanced Torah study in the great yeshivot of Europe, including his own son-in-law, HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, (1910–2012). For his promulgation of Torah values to his co-religionists, Herman was called the "Chofetz Chaim of America" by Rab' Boruch Ber Leibowitz, the Kaminetz rosh yeshiva, who lived with the Hermans for two years while he was fundraising in the United States. Herman's youngest daughter, Ruchoma Shain (died March 2013), immortalized his exploits in "All For The Boss: The life and impact of R' Yaakov Yosef Herman, a Torah pioneer in America" - An affectionate family chronicle, first published by Feldheim in 1984.
HaRav Salman Mutzafi, zt”l, (1900-1975). Born in Baghdad to Rav Tzion Meir, descendant of an illustrious family of Torah scholars who first arrived in Baghdad during the Spanish expulsion. The person who had the greatest influence on Rav Salman during his childhood was the Ben Ish Chai. Every Shabbat, the young Salman accompanied his father to Baghdad’s main shul to hear the Ben Ish Chai’s drasha, which lasted for two hours and was attended by over 2,000 people. In 1934, he moved to Eretz Yisrael. For two full years, he studied the nine volumes of Siddur Harashash, with all of its kabbalistic kavanot. It is said that his prayers have successfully saved the Jewish people on many occasions.
HaRav Shimon Biton, zt”l, (5742 / 1982), Rav and head of the Beit Din of Marseilles and author of Shalmei Shimon.
HaRav Shmuel Yaakov Weinberg, zt”l, (1923 - 5759 / 1999), Rosh Yeshivat Ner Yisrael of Baltimore, the only son-in-law of Harav Ruderman, the founding Rosh Yeshiva.
The Weinberg family is from the Slonimer chasidic dynasty, a Lithuanian chassidut. The approach and relationship of the Slonim chasidim to Torah has been similar to the classical Litvishe approach. The founder of the dynasty was Rav Avrohom ben Yitzchok Mattisyohu Weinberg, the author of Chessed L’Avraham. As a youth, Rav Weinberg studied in the Rabbenu Chaim Berlin yeshiva in New York City under Rav Yitzchok Hutner, a talmid of the Alter of Slobodke. Rav Weinberg married the only daughter of Rav Yaakov Yitzchok Ruderman, the rosh yeshiva of Ner Yisroel of Baltimore and another talmid of the Alter. In 1964, Rav Ruderman sent him to Toronto, to preside as the rosh yeshiva of a branch that Ner Yisroel had established there several years earlier. Eight years later, when the yeshiva in Toronto decided to become independent, he returned to Baltimore. Shortly before the petirah of his father-in-law in 1987, Rav Weinberg was asked to preside as the rosh yeshiva of Ner Yisroel in Baltimore. He was a member of the Moetzet Roshei Hayeshivot of Torah Umesorah for many years, and was very active in expanding the projects of this important organization.
HaRav Yaakov Yitzchak Spiegel, zt’l, (1937-2001), Rav of the Romanian shul Khal Shaarei Shomayim, son of Rav Moshe Menachem Spiegel, the Admor of Ostrov-Kalushin (formerly of Brownsville, later of the Lower East Side), and the grandson of Rav Naftali Aryeh Spiegel, the former Rav of Ostrov-Kalushin in Poland; a talmid muvhak of Rav Aharon Kotler.
HaRav Benyamin Mekeketz Didi, zt"l, author of Yad Benyamin on Pirkei Avot. (year??)
HaRav Shlomo Shemamso, zt"l, author of Shoresh Yishai. (year??)
Also Note: 17 Tammuz:
- Fast day and beginning of the Three Weeks.
- The first Luchot were broken.
- King Menashe placed an idol in the Beit HaMikdash.
- The Korban Tamid was discontinued in the second Beit HaMikdash.
- 4000 Jews were killed in Toledo, Spain, 1391. The riots spread to many other Spanish Jewish communities bringing death and poverty in its wake.
- The destruction of Spanish Jewry began on the 17th of Tammuzand was completed (so to speak) 101 years later on Tish’a b’Av.
- The American colonies declared their independence, 1776.
- 4000 Jews of the ghetto in Bialystok were shot, 1941.
Parsha Pinchas - 250th of July 4, 1776, 17th of Tammuz, Summer of Moshiach, Eliyahu HaNavi
The Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 was on the 17th of Tammuz during the week of Parsha Pinchas. What is the Holiday of the 17th of Tammuz? How does Pinchas help us overcome the final obstacle that can make this the Summer of Moshiach?
Another Three Weeks’ Happening
Maccabiah Games open in Jerusalem as global celebration of Jewish pride
Thousands of athletes from more than 30 countries gather in Jerusalem
Are these all Jewish attendees? If so, the Zionist mockery of scheduling this glorification of the body being held during one of the most sacred times of our Jewish Calendar, and a remembrance of the destruction of both the First and Second Beis HaMikdash is beyond understanding. Didnt the organizers realize what dates they picked? This event will run all over Israel thru July 13, Erev Rosh Hodesh Av, the beginning of the most historically painful period.
I say mockery because it was the refusal of God’s command on the 9th of Av to enter the Land of (Milk and Honey) Yisrael that caused the series of tragedies during this three week period.
Tisha B’Av vs Maccabiah. What is this “Pride” they signify?
We’ve seen other Pride events but they were abominations!
Maybe they really mean now they are “like all the nations” glorifying physical agility and sport?
Maybe this is their pride in settling and building up this glorious Land of Israel?
Now we have returned from Sinai to our homeland of Eretz Yisrael and to celebrate that we hold Maccabiah games ?
It all seems the mirror opposite of this fulfillment?
The Fifth, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth of Teves - repost
The Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth of Teves
According to II Kings (25:1–25:4), on the 10th day of the 10th month (which is Tevet when counted from Nisan, the "first month" according to Exodus 12:1–2), in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign (588 BCE), Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, began the siege of Jerusalem. Two and a half years later, on the 17th of Tammuz at the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah's reign[1] (586 BCE) Jeremiah (52.6–7), he broke through the city walls. The siege ended with the destruction of the Temple three weeks later, on the 9th of Av, the end of the first Kingdoms and the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon. The Tenth of Tevet is thus considered part of the cycle of fasts connected with these events, which includes: Shivah Asar B'Tammuz (17th of Tammuz) and Tisha B'Av (9th of Av).
See also: Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC)
The first reference to the Tenth of Tevet as a fast appears in Zechariah (8:19) where it is called the "fast of the tenth month." One opinion in the Talmud (b. Rosh Hashana 18b) states that the "fast of the tenth month" refers to the fifth of Tevet, when, according to Ezekiel (33:21), news of the destruction of the Temple reached those already in exile in Babylon. However, the tenth is the date observed today, according to the other opinion presented in the Talmud.[2] Other references to the fast and the affliction can be found in Ezekiel 24:1–24:2 (the siege) and Jeremiah (52:4–52:6).[3]
According to tradition, as described by the liturgy for the day's selichos, the fast also commemorates other calamities that occurred throughout Jewish history on the tenth of Tevet and the two days preceding it:
On the eighth of Tevet one year during the 3rd century BCE, a time of Hellenistic rule of Judea during the Second Temple period, Ptolemy, King of Egypt, ordered the translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek, a work which later became known as the Septuagint.[4] Seventy two sages were placed in solitary confinement and ordered to translate the Torah into Greek. The expected outcome would be a multitude of different translations that would then be compared and critiqued by the Greeks as there were some sentences in the bible that could be understood as offensive to pagans if taken wrongly and would obviously need to be changed. This would demonstrate the muddled meanings of the Torah and the divergent opinions of Jewish interpreters.
However, all seventy-two sages independently made identical translations into Greek. The Greeks saw this as a most impressive feat. However, various rabbinical sources see this event as a tragedy, a debasement of the divine nature of the Torah, and a subversion of its spiritual qualities. They reasoned that upon translation from the original Hebrew, the Torah's legal codes; deeper layers of meaning would be lost. Many Jewish laws are formulated in terms of specific Hebrew words employed in the Torah; without the original Hebrew code, authenticity of the legal system would be damaged. The mystical ideas contained in the Torah are also drawn from the original Hebrew. As such, these would not be accessed by individuals studying the Torah in Greek (or any other language) alone.
On the ninth of Tevet, "something happened, but we do not know what it was..." (Shulchan Aruch). The selichot liturgy for the day states that Ezra the Scribe, the great leader who brought some Jews back to the Holy Land from the Babylonian exile and who ushered in the era of the Second Temple, died on this day, and this is verified by the Kol Bo. But according to the earlier sources (the Geonim as recorded by Bahag and cited in Tur Orach Chaim 580), the specific tragedy of 9 Tevet is unknown. Some manuscripts of Bahag (obviously not those available to the Tur) add that Ezra and Nechemiah died on this day—but only after first stating that the Rabbis have given no reason for why the day is tragic. Other suggestions are given as to why the ninth of Tevet is notable as well.[5]
Day of General Kaddish
The Chief Rabbinate of Israel chose to observe the Tenth of Tevet as a "general kaddish day" (yom hakaddish ha'klalli) to allow the relatives of victims of the Holocaust, and whose yahrtzeits (anniversaries of their deaths) is unknown, to observe the traditional yahrtzeit practices for the deceased, including lighting a memorial candle, learning mishnayot and reciting the kaddish. According to the policy of the Chief Rabbinate in Israel, the memorial prayer is also recited in synagogues, after the reading of the Torah at the morning services.[11][12] To some religious Jews, this day is preferable as a remembrance day to Yom HaShoah, since the latter occurs in the month of Nisan, in which mourning is traditionally prohibited.
NOTES:
1. In the Biblical calendar, each year in the reign of the Kings of Judah or Israel is dated from 1 Nissan. For example, even if a king began his reign on 29 Adar, a day prior to 1 Nissan, the next day would already be tabulated as Year 2 of his reign. Hence, Tevet (tenth month) of Year 9 of Zedekiah is only 18 months prior to Tammuz (fourth month) of Year 11 of Zedekiah.
12. Amar, Shlomo. "Letter of the Rishon Le'Tzion concerning the 10th of Tevet" (PDF) (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 December 2013.
For the full article and other Notes, see Wikipedia
01 July 2026
Vizhnitzer Rebbe, Hundreds of Vizhnitzer Avreichim: “The Cry of Torah”
Hundreds of Vizhnitzer avreichim are expected to hold a protest on Wednesday under the banner “The Cry of Torah,” following a directive from the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, Kikar H’Shabbat reported on Tuesday.
According to the report, the Rebbe instructed hundreds of avreichim and bnei Torah to gather outside the home of a senior figure in Israel’s judicial system to protest against the persecution of the Olam HaTorah, the attempt to humiliate the honor of Torah and its students, and the imprisonment of bnei yeshivos.
The protest will take the form of a public beis medrash. Avreichim will bring Gemaras and shtenders and continue their regular sidrei limmud at the demonstration site.
The chassidus said the purpose of the protest is to give voice to the pain of Lomdei Torah and their families in light of the reality of Bnei Torah being thrown into prison solely because of their commitment to Limmud Torah and adherence to the guidance of their Rabbanim.
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem.
Journey to Har Menuchos- The Kever of Rav Eliezer Simcha Wasserman
The Kever of the Tzadik of Raanana, Rav Yitzchak Hakohein Huberman - Journey to Har Menuchos
Chur ben Caleb zt"l
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Chur, Aaron, Moses – Three Styles of Leadership Chur ben Caleb zt”l The sin of the golden calf is one of the lowest points in our history. In addition to idolatry, the Jews went on to commit the two other sins that are considered by Jewish law to be the most serious of offenses, adultery and murder. Exodus 32:6 describes the scene: “On the next day they arose early, offered up burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings, and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and they got up to make merry.” Rashi comments on the words “to make merry”: “In this, there is [also] a connotation of sexual immorality and bloodshed . . .”1 Where was the Jewish leadership at this time? Why were they not able to stop the sinning before it got out of hand? One cannot answer that since Moses was on the mountain receiving the Torah from G‑d, the Jews were without leaders. The Torah clearly describes how Moses appointed temporary leaders in his place: “Moses and Joshua his servant arose, and Moses ascended to the mount of G‑d. And to the elders he said, ‘Wait for us here until we return to you, and here Aaron and Chur are with you; whoever has a case, let him go to them.’"2 Aaron had excellent credentials as a leader. He was Moses’ older brother and his right-hand man throughout the entire process of the exodus from Egypt. He was later appointed as high priest and received frequent prophecies from G‑d. Chur, too, was a high-ranking and well-known personality. He was Moses’ nephew, the son of his older sister Miriam. Chur’s father was the famous Kalev ben Yefuna, the very righteous and courageous man who stood up to the 10 sinful spies and argued for the goodness of the land of Israel. Chur had already been active as a leader during the war with Amalek, as we see from Exodus 17:12: “Now Moses’ hands were heavy, so they took a stone and placed it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Chur supported his hands, one from this [side], and one from that [side], so he was with his hands in faith until sunset.” Aaron and Chur were both very righteous and respected men, deserving and capable of leading the people. How is it that despite their presence and leadership, the Jews managed to carry out such a public and grand rebellion against G‑d? Let’s examine the reactions of Chur and Aaron to the golden calf. Chur’s reaction can be inferred from a comment of Rashi: “Aaron saw many things. He saw his sister’s son Chur, who had reproved them [the Israelites], and they assassinated him.”3 It is clear from this that Chur did indeed attempt to stop the sinning. He realized that as a leader, it was up to him to respond, and he did so with serious rebuke and condemnation. But his response was so harsh that, in their frenzy, the Jews did the unthinkable and actually killed him. Chur’s response seems natural under the circumstances, and his personal sacrifice was very noble. He did whatever he could to stop the Jews’ sinning, until only death silenced him. But it was not enough. The sinning continued and only seemed to intensify. Aaron’s response was exactly the opposite. He was known as a peaceful and loving person, not the confrontational type. He used diplomacy and appeasement and pretended to go along with the “plan,” in an attempt to stall things until Moses returned. In the end, he simply ran out of time, and the Jews did what they did with Aaron powerless to stop them. What was it about Moses’ leadership that even Aaron and Chur could not replicate? We first need to understand what it takes to be the ultimate, ideal leader of the Jewish people. The ultimate leader must embody two opposite dynamics. On the one hand, he must care deeply for his people, love them, and have only their best interests in mind. And he must find a way to communicate his love, devotion and care, so that the people know their leader feels this way about them. On the other hand, a leader needs to display strength and boldness. He must communicate to his people what is right and what is wrong and stand firmly for what is true and correct. Aaron and Chur each excelled in one of these qualities. Chur, like his father Kalev, was the bold and courageous leader who stood strongly for what was right. The problem was that the Jews didn’t feel his love and devotion. He came across as too critical and harsh, which produced the opposite effect he was trying to achieve. With Aaron, the Jews felt understood, they felt loved and cared for, and they felt like he related well to them and their needs. The problem was that he was too kind and peace-loving, and the people took advantage of this. It is perhaps for this reason that Moses appointed both of them to lead together. Moses knew of their individual strengths and realized that it would take the combination of both to provide solid leadership. If Chur and Aaron would have tempered each other’s reaction and responded to the sin as one, perhaps they could’ve stopped it. Moses, on the other hand, was the ultimate leader who possessed both of these opposite qualities within himself. He was first and foremost a loving and caring leader. He was the one who came to the defense of a helpless Jew in Egypt, which almost cost him his life. He was the shepherd who ran after one stray sheep and returned it lovingly to its flock. He was the judge who sat from morning until evening listening to and advising all those who came before him with their problems and issues. He was the leader who came to the defense of his people time and time again and begged G‑d to forgive them. But at the same time, he was strong and fearless. He stood up to Pharaoh, the ruler of the most powerful empire in the world. He knew how to take a stand and was never intimidated by the masses. Nothing encapsulates this more than his reaction to the golden calf. He seemed to know just what to do the moment he descended from the mountain, and he put a stop to the sinning without facing any opposition. What did he in fact do? He smashed the Luchot, the Tablets. It was this one bold and brilliant move that finally put an end to all the nonsense. What was so brilliant and significant about this one act? It was the double message that it sent. It was a paradox—and that’s what made it so powerful. On the one hand, it was an act of harshness and condemnation. It sent a very strong and clear message that what was going on was totally unacceptable. It said, “Because of this sin, you do not deserve to have G‑d’s most precious gift—the Torah.” But on the other hand, it was an act motivated by and infused with pure love and care. It communicated to the people how Moses was their defender and was looking to protect them. Rashi explains Moses’ motivation for smashing the Luchot: This can be compared to a king who went abroad and left his betrothed with the maidservants. Because of the immoral behavior of the maidservants, she acquired a bad reputation. Her bridesman [the person appointed to defend the bride should any problems arise] arose and tore up her marriage contract. He said, “If the king decides to kill her, I will say to him, ‘She is not yet your wife.’”4 Moses broke the Luchot to save the Jews. It was an act of love, done purely for the benefit of his people, and they were able to feel this love. It was this potent combination, strength and love, that made Moses stand out as such a dynamic and successful leader. We all find ourselves in positions of leadership, whether in our communities, schools or families. There will be times when we will be faced with a difficult situation and we will have to react and show leadership. Let us learn from Moses how to do this best. Take a strong stand and don’t show any weakness. But at the same time, let the love shine through. Then others will accept what you have to say because they see it’s right and they know that you only want was is best for them. Source: https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/2864244/jewish/Will-the-Real-Leader-Please-Stand-Up.htm |
"עיני העדה בריקוד ההכתרה" מרנן ורבנן בראשם המנהיג הרב לנדו והפוסק הרב זילברשטיין בשמחה של מצוה
מנהיג הדור מרן ראש הישיבה הגר"ד לנדו שליט"א ומרן פוסק הדור הגר"י זילברשטיין שליט"א השתתפו בהכתרת רב קהילת חניכי הישיבות אור תורה שע"י כרם ישראל קריית הרצוג
במעמד הובא מכתב מרן ראש הישיבה הגרב"ד פוברסקי שליט"א ע"י הגאון רבי יוסף ליברמן שליט"א רב בית הכנסת בית תפילה.
במעמד השתתפו בנוסף: הגאון הגדול רבי ברוך דוב דיסקין שליט"א ר"י ארחות תורה, הראב"ד הגאון הגדול רבי יהודה סילמן שליט"א, רב העיר ב"ב הגאון הגדול רבי שבח צבי רוזנבלט שליט"א, הגאון הצדיק רבי מרדכי שמואל אדלשטיין שליט"א, הגאון הגדול רבי שמואל אליעזר שטרן שליט"א רב מערב ב"ב. מרא דאתרא שכונת קרית הרצוג הגאון הגדול רבי יהודה אריה שוורץ שליט"א, רב ביהכנ"ס החדש הגאון רבי אליעזר רוט שליט"א, הגאון רבי יוסף אפרתי שליט"א תלמידו ונאמן ביתו של רשכבה"ג מרן פוסק הדור הגרי"ש אלישיב זצוק"ל, הגאון רבי חיים יוסף בידרמן שליט"א, הגאון רבי משה חזקיהו שליט"א רבה הספרדי של קריית הרצוג
🧱לחוץ מכלא 10? ההבטחה הדרמטית של מרן פוסק הדור הרב זילברשטיין שליט"א
מי שלא פסיק פומיה מגרסא לא ינזק
בעקבות חשש הגדול של עמלי התורה מהמעצרים, העביר הרב חיים מלין את זעקתם ושאל את סביו הגדול מרן פוסק הדור שליט"א, מה לעשות במצב הקשה שנוצר:
הנכד: אנשים שואלים מה יהיה פה הסוף, שעוצרים בחורי ישיבות כל הזמן. עכשיו, עכשיו, עכשיו בשבת הזאת ישבו בכלא 42 בחורי ישיבות. מה סבא חושב, שהבחורים צריכים להתחזק? בחורים שהם ב"פרשה"?
הרב: בחור כזה שלא פסיק פומיה מגרסא, אצלנו בכולל, אין אף אחד שמדבר מילה.
הנכד: מה סבא אומר, שיש כזה בחור שיושב ולומד בלי... אז מה יהיה, מה יהיה לו?
הרב: הוא לא יינזק.
הנכד: לא יינזק.
הרב: אין שום ספק, לא יתפסו אותו, לא יעשו לו שום דבר.
- קרדיט תיעוד: דברי חמד
✈️"קשר של דורות: הגר"י אפרתי ישר מנמל התעופה להכתרת נכדו של המנהיג מרן הגרי"ש אלישיב זצוק"ל"
המשא הנרגש של הגאון רבי יוסף אפרתי שליט"א תלמידו המובהק ונאמנו של מנהיג היהדות החרדית מרנא ראש הישיבה הגרי"ש אלישיב זצוק"ל, במעמד הכתרת הגאון רבי אליעזר רוט שליט"א חתדב"נ דמרן פוסק הדור הגר"י זילברשטיין שליט"א ונכדו חביבו של רשכבה"ג מרן הגרי"ש אלישיב זצוק"ל, יצויין כי שעות ספורות קודם לכן הגר"י אפרתי שליט"א נחת ממסעו בחו"ל:
ברשות מורינו מרן רבי יצחק שליט"א, ברשות כל הגאונים שליט"א, ברשות המלך, מרא דאתרא שליט"א, אחי ורעי. ידוע שהרבי הרב אלישיב זצ"ל אמר על הגמ' כשנכנסו חכמים ליבנה, ביקש רבי יהודה לפתוח בכבוד אכסניא, והפתיחה בכבוד אכסניא הייתה על שמע ישראל היום הזה נהייתם לעם וכו' אלא חביבה תורה על לומדיה.
אז הוא ביאר שהפשט הפשוט הוא כאשר באו למקום חדש אחרי החורבן, ופותחים בכבוד אכסניא, מהי אכסניא? אכסניא זה להגיד רבותי, הכל נשאר בעיקר העיקרים, הדבקות בתורה.
והנה לכן אחרי ארבעים שנה, היום הזה נהייתם לעם, חביבה תורה על לומדיה. אז גם אחרי שחלילה חרב החורבן וקרו מאורעות כאלו והגיעו לאן שהגיעו, היסוד הוא חביבה תורה על לומדיה.
אנחנו ברוך השם זוכים פה להכתיר יהודי שכל השנים מקטנותו מקיים חביבה תורה על לומדיה. ברוך הרב וברוכה הקהילה שעשתה אותו עטרה לראשם.
🚨בלי רב - העיר תחרב!!! מצמרר ומרעיד - מרן הרב זילברשטיין במשא נוקב בהכתרת חתנו רבי אליעזר רוט
החובה על כל אב ללמוד תורה עם בניו – תורה מגנא ומצלא!
לאחר מכן עורר את קהל המשתתפים על החובה והזכות על כל אב ללמוד עם בניו, ולקיים את ציווי התורה 'ושננתם לבניך', כי התורה מגנא ומצלא:
"אני רוצה להגיד לכם חבריי, יש לי איזה הערה גדולה מאד להגיד, אני רואה לפעמים משפחות שהאבא כמובן שומר תורה, אבל הוא לא לומד תורה עם הילדים שלו, אין לו זמן כנראה, ואני רואה את הילד מסתובב ככה בחוסר מעש, אמרתי לאבא שלו, תסלח לי, הילד שלך אין לו מי שילמד איתו, מסתובב פה ילד, שאינו יודע בין ימינו לשמאלו, ואתה לא מקיים את חובתך.
"והרי נאמר במסכת קידושין (דף ל ע"א), עד היכן חייב אדם ללמד את בנו תורה, אמר רב יהודה אמר שמואל, כגון זבולון בן דן שלימדו אבי אביו מקרא, משנה ותלמוד, הלכות ואגדות וכו'..., לומר לך, שכל המלמד את בנו תורה מעלה עליו הכתוב כאילו למדו לו ולבנו ולבן בנו עד סוף כל הדורות'.
"ואפילו סבא צריך ללמוד עם נכדיו, וכמבואר בגמ' בקידושין (שם), אמר רבי יהושע בן לוי, כל המלמד את בן בנו תורה, מעלה עליו הכתוב כאילו קיבלה מהר סיני, שנאמר 'והודעתם לבניך ולבני בניך', וסמיך ליה 'יום אשר עמדת לפני ה' אלוקיך בחורב'.
"ויש בירושלמי בשבת (דף ו ע"ב) סיפור נורא על רבי יהושע בן לוי עצמו, דריב"ל היה רגיל לשמוע פרשה מבן בנו בכל ערב שבת, פעם אחת שכח ונכנס לרחוץ באחת ממרחצאות של טבריה, והוי מסתמיך על כתפיה דר' חייא בר בא, ונזכר שלא שמע פרשתו של בן בנו, וחזר ויצא לו,... ר' לעזר בי רבי יוסי אומר שכבר היה מופשט מבגדיו כשנזכר, אמר ליה ר' חייא בר אבא 'ולא כך לימדתנו רבינו אם התחילו אין מפסיקין, כל שכן לת"ת', אמר ליה: 'חייא בני, קלה היא בעיניך שכל השומע פרשה מן בן בנו כאילו הוא שומעה מהר סיני, ומה טעמא והודעתם לבניך ולבני בניך יום אשר עמדת לפני ה' אלוקיך בחורב', יעו"ש".
את משאו סיים רבינו: "חתני הגאון רבי אליעזר שליט"א, ברוך השם הוא לומד טוב מאוד, בכל מקום שאין מי שילמד תורה, הוא מופיע וממלא את המקום טוב טוב ומרביץ תורה לעדרים, ובעזרת השם גם במקום הקדוש הזה הוא ימלא את מקום הרבנות בצורה הטובה ביותר".
"אני רוצה לסיים, יש לי מחברת שלמה להגיד, אך לא אגיד אותה, יש כאן תלמידי חכמים ואיני רוצה להטריח אותם. אני רוצה לברך את כל התלמידי חכמים שהגיעו פה לכבודה של תורה ולחזק את התורה, נזכה כולנו יחד לביאת משיח צדקנו במהרה בימינו, והרב שליט"א יצליח בכל העניינים, ונאמר אמן".
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