B"H Yom Yom B"H Yom Yom from Day by Day in Jewish History by Rabbi Abraham P. Bloch z"l [4 Adar] The body of Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg was released for burial, 1307, 14 years after his death. Jews of Rome declared free citizens by the French army, 1798. [February 10] Jews were granted right of residence in Stuttgart, Germany, 1779. (As bad as all the bad things that happened to the Jewish people were, one often considers some of the good things also bad - PC) First ship to break the British blockade of Palestine, 1934. (Worldwide publicity of "illegal" immigration of Jews to Israel was an important factor in England's ultimate decision to give up the mandate.) [February 11] Russia broke diplomatic relations with Israel, 1953. Jews of Uberlingen, Switzerland were massacred, 1349. [6 Adar] Moshe Rabeinu completed his review of the Torah and was told by G-d that his death was coming near. R. Shmuel b. Natronai, one of the Baalei Tosefot, was tortured and martyred , 1197. The first printed edition of the whole Chumash with Onkelos and Rashi was published in Balogna, 1482 (same day as Moshe finished teaching it). Expulsion of the Jews of the Free City of Lubeck, Germany, 1816, 117 years (almost to the day) after they were expelled the first time. [February 12] Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin born on the same day, 1809. [7 Adar] Birthday and Yahrzeit of Moshe Rabeinu a"h. Jews expelled from Austria, 1670. [February 13] Byzantine Emperor Justinian ordered the public reading of the Greek translation to Parshat Hashavuah on Shabbat morning and prohibited Rabbis from giving drashot on the Torah portion, 553. [8 Adar] Jews of Barbados were granted permission to take an oath on the Old Testament, 1674. This was a first for the New World. 151 years later, also on 8 Adar, Jews of Maryland were allowed to take a non-Christian oath. A declaration of belief in Reward and Punishment in the World to Come was part of their oath. Yahrzeit of Levi Eshkol, 1969. [February 14] The Knesset opened its first session, 1949. Jews of Rome had been subjected to a humiliating medieval practice of running a race in the Roman carnivals, scantily clad, amid insults and blows. This practice of "Black Monday" (the day of the weekly carnival) ended in 1667. 2000 Jews were burned in Strasbourg,1349. [9 Adar] Traditional date of the first dispute between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai.. Observed as a fast day in the past. [February 15] Mikveh Yisrael home of the first Jewish agricultural school in Palestine, was founded, 1870. [10 Adar] Massacre of the Jews of Freiburg, Germany, 1349, in the Black Death riots. Jews of the Austrian Empire were granted equal civil and political rights, 1849. (Expelled, given equal rights, Nazi sympathizer partner in the government - some of the ups and downs of Jewish life in galut.) [February 16] Jews miraculously escaped violent earthquake in Italy, 1570. First organized Arab attack, on Tirat Tzvi, 1948. First shul in Madrid for 425 years was dedicated, 1917. Jews of Sweden were emancipated, 1870. [11 Adar] Pope prohibits anti-Jewish sermons, 1434. First printing of Rashi on Torah, Italy, 1475. (This first printing of Rashi was without the text of the Torah. Subsequent printing - for the next 500 years and counting - were done the way we are familiar with.) First printing of the whole Tanach, 1488. Yahrzeit of the Chida, 1806. [February 17] Chaim Weizmann was elected first president of Israel. (First Jew to carry the title NASI in over 1500 years.) [The Truma Homepage]
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