A weekly feature of Torah Tidbits to help clarify practical and conceptual aspects of the Jewish Calendar, thereby better fulfilling the mitzva of HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem... The 20th of Sivan is a dark date in Jewish History. 34 Jewish men and 17 Jewish women were burned at the stake in Blois France, 1171, as a result of the first ritual- murder trial in Europe. Rabbeinu Tam declared a fast day to mark the event. The day was confirmed as a fast day centuries later, in Poland, following the murder of 6000 Jews of Niemirov during the Chmielnicki massacres, 1648. Many Siddurim have Slichot for Kaf Sivan. In our own time, another tragedy was added to 20 Sivan. The battle of Sultan Yacoub during the Lebanon was was the most costly battle of that war. Among the casualties of that 20 Sivan in 1982, was Yair Landau HY"D, who was sup- posed to be a madrich for NCSY rather than a fighter in the IDF. Our library is named in his memory. Zacharia Baumel and others went MIA on that day, as well, [The
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