Rav Yitzchak of Drovitch (1758). He was the father of R’ Yechiel Michel, the Maggid of Zlotschov. In later years, Rav Yitzchak served as the official maggid or “mochiach” (admonisher) and dayan in the beis din of Brod at the time when Rav Yitzchak of Hamburg was serving as the town’s rav. Rav Yitzchak’s name is specifically attached to Drohobitch, a town that lies 40 miles south of Lelov and today is a major petroleum refining center. Like many towns in this region, the town switched nationalities periodically during its history, starting off as a Ukrainian village before becoming part of Galicia. In the 14th century Drohobitch became Polish when King Kazimierz annexed Galicia to Poland. Then Austria seized the town in 1772 during a partition of Poland. Poland grabbed it back for 20 years just before World War II and, today it is once more under Ukrainian control, minus its Jewish population. In 1939 Drohobitch had about 10,000 Poles, 10,000 Ukrainians and 15,000 Jews. [Hamodia 2006, 2009 says 1744, and noted that “others say 1750”]
Rav Pinchas Zelig, Rav of Lask and author of Ateres Paz (1670).
Rav Aryeh Leib Yelin (ben Shalom Shachna) of Bialystock (1820-1884[or 1886]). Born in Yasinovka, He is the author of Yefeh Einayim, which lists sources, parallel passages, and variant readings in midrashim and in the aggadah of the gemara and draws attention to differences between the Bavli and Yerushalmi. He was also the author of Mitzpeh Aryeh, short notes on the Rif, and of Kol Aryeh, further drashos on the Mitzpeh Aryeh. The Penei Aryeh is a comprehensive commentary on the Yerushalmi.
Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib (ben Techiel Chaim) Epstein of Ozhorov (1852-1928), grandson of Rav Aryeh Yehuda Leib HaLevi (Leibush HaGadol), founder of the Oztrov dynasty. In his early teens, he married Rebbetzin Draizel, who herself learned Gemara and personally tested their five sons. Rav Leibush succeeded his father as Rebbe in 1888. His most famous follower was Rav Meir Yechiel HaLevi Halshtok of nearby Ostrovtza. Rav Leibush was succeeded by his oldest son, Rav Avraham Shlomo, whom in turn was followed by his son Rav Moshe Yechiel HaLevi Epstein (the Aish Das of Oztrov, 1890-1971). Save for its 350-year old cemetery, nothing remains today of the town of Oztrov.
Dr. Moshe Wallach, founder of Shaarei Tzedek hospital (1957)
Today in History – 7 Nissan
· The mourning for Moshe Rabbeinu ended, and Yehoshua commanded the people to prepare provisions for the trip across the Yarden (Yehoshua, Perek 1), c. 1270 BCE
· Yechezkel received the prophecy concerning Egypt’s conquest by Nebuchadnetzar, 419 BCE
· 150 Jews massacred in York, England 1190. Even though the Jews were under special protection from Richard I, because of their wealth that could help fund the Crusades, the mob attacked 150 Jews hiding in the castle at York. Most committed suicide rather than be murdered, but the rest, believing promises that they would be spared if they came out, left the castle and were promptly massacred when they refused to submit to baptism. R’ Eliyahu Hakadosh of York, Rav Yom Tov bar Yitzchak of Jouny and several other English Ba’alei Tosfos were among the martyrs.Due to this cruel massacre, the Jews accepted upon themselves a cherem never to sleep in the city of York overnight which is still in practice.
· Rabbeinu Ovadiah Bartenura arrived in Eretz Yisrael after a three tear journey, 1485
{Yahrtzeits licensed to Matzav.com by Manny Saltiel and Anshe.org/Matzav.com Newscenter}