Hilula and Yarzeit for the Hebrew Month of Iyar עייר

30 th of Nissan ל ניסן is Rosh Chodesh Aleph Iyar- starts Evening of April 20 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Yaakov Berav (1546)

Rabenu Mahari Ben Rav

Rabbeinu Yosef Halevi ibn Migash (Rimigash), talmid of the Rif (1077-1141). As head of the famous academy of Lucena, Spain, R' Yosef taught numerous disciples including Rabbi Maimon, father of Rambam. Rambam's praise of Rabbi Yosef in uncharacteristically ecstatic. "The depth and scope of his wisdom astound all who study his words" said the Rambam. Having absorbed Rabbi Yosef's teachings from his father, Rambam refers to Rabbi Yosef as "my teacher".

Rabbi Chaim Vital (1543-1620). Born in Tzefat in Israel, two years after his family moved there from Calabria, Italy. He learned under Rabbi Moshe Alshich from the age of 14, for several years. He then learned kaballah from Rabbi Moshe Cordevero, the Ramak. In 1570, the Arizal came to Tzefat from Egypt, and after the petira of the Remak, Rabbi Chaim became the Arizal’s closest disciple. The Arizal told him he was to have been his only student, but Rabbi Chaim insisted that others study with them. He wrote Etz Chaim, Shaarei Hakanos, and Shaarei Kedusha (a guide to achieving ruach ha-kodesh and nevuah), and edited and organized all existing manuscripts of the words of the Arizal, today know as Kisvei Arizal. He died in Damascus. His kever was later moved to Kiryat Malachi.

Rabbi Avraham Broide of Frankfurt (1717)

Rabbi Nesanel Weill, Av Beis Din of Karlsruhe and author of Korban Nesanel (1769). On October 17, 1750, he was elected to be Oberland- rabbiner for both Markgrafschaften of Baden-Durlach and Baden- Baden, and also all of the Unterlande. His son, Rabbi Yedidya Taya Weil, is the author of the Hagadah Marbeh Lesaper. (Some believe his Hilula is 15th of Iyar.

Rabbi Yaakov Emden (1698-1776), known as Yaavetz (Yaakov ben Tzvi), son of the Chacham Tzvi. Settled in Altoona in 1733. He was involved in a famous controversy over an amulet (kameya) written by Rabbi Yehonason Eibeshutz, Rabbi Yaakov claiming that the amulet demonstrated an acceptance of Shabsai Tzvi.

Rabbi Chaim Meir Yechiel of Drohbitch (1924)

Rabbi Moshe Hershler, editor of Talmudic Encyclopedia and publisher of many sifrei Harishonim. (1991)

1st of Iyar א אייר is Rosh Chodesh Bet - starts Evening of April 21 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Abba Shaul, one of the Talmudic sages. His teacher is Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai who was smuggled out of Jerusalem in a coffin prior to the Destruction of the City and Temple by the Romans (The ultimate cause of this destruction is Hatred for No Reason).

Rabbi Yaakov Beirav, born neat Toledo, in Spain. After serving as a rabbinical leader in Fez, Morocco, and Cairo, Egypt, he became the chief rabbi of Tzefas. He reinstituted semicha in Eretz Yisrael (1474-1546)

Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk (1720 or 1730 -1788). A close talmid of the Maggid of Mezritch, he – along with Rabbi Avraham of Kalisk – led a contingency of 300 chassidim to Eretz Yisrael in what was the first large aliya of the talmidim HaBesht.

Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Ashkenazi, the Chacham Tzvi (1660-1718); learned in Salinka at 14 years of age under Rabbi Eliyahu Covo; married the daughter of the Av Beis Din of Altuna-Hamburg-Wandsbeck (AHU) in 1689, and succeeded him in 1705; became Azhkenazi Rabbi of Amsterdam in 1710; went to Temishlev, Poland in 1714; then to Lemberg (Lvov); father of Rabbi Yaakov Emden.

Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, the Lev Ha’ivri (1922)

Rabbi Avraham of Slonim, the Beis Avraham (1889-1933), grandson of the founder of Slonimer Chasidus, the Chesed L’Avraham.

Rabbi Moshe Shmuel Shapira (1914-2006). Born to Rabbi Aryeh, the dayan of Bialystok and grandson of Rabbi Rafael (the Toras Rafael) of Volozhin, who himself was a grandson of the Netziv. As he was born during WW I, his family had fled from Bialystok to Minsk, where his uncle, Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, lived at the time. In 1933 Rabbi Moshe Shmuel left home and set out for Yeshivas Ohel Torah of Baranovitch headed by Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman. In the summer 1936, he moved to Mir, where became a talmid muvhak of Rabbi Baruch Ber Lebowitz of Kaminetz. In 1938 he fled to Eretz Yisrael. His father eventually joined him. His mother and two brothers remained behind and perished in the Holocaust. His cousin, the Brisker Rav, arrived in Eretz Yisrael around the same time. Rabbi Moshe Shmuel became one of his closest talmidim. After his marriage in 1946 he learnt in Kollel Chazon Ish for a year and then served as a maggid shiur in Yeshivas Kol Torah in Yerushalayim for three years. The Chazon Ish, to whom he became very close, requested him to open a yeshiva in Beer Yaakov together with the renowned mashgiach, Rav Shlomo Wolbe. In 1963 Rav Moshe Shmuel published the first volume of his sefer "Kuntrus HaBiurim". It included his shiurim on Gittin, Kiddushin and Nedarim. He printed ten additional volumes over the years. He also wrote the seforim "Shaarei Shemu'os" and "Zahav Misheva." Most of his voluminous writings are, however, still unpublished. Rabbi Moshe Shmuel was a member of the Vaad HaYeshivos for fifty years. In 1968 Rabbi Yechezkel Sarna and the Beis Yisrael of Ger invited him to join the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael.

2nd of Iyar ב אייר - starts Evening of April 22 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Today is the Birth Anniversary of Rabbi Shmuel Schneersohn (2 Iyar 1834 -13 Tishrei 1882), the fourth Lubavitch Rebbe, known as "the Rebbe Maharash," was the seventh and youngest son of his predecessor, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, "the Tsemach Tsedek.”

Rabbi Shmuel Shmelke Horowitz of Nikolsburg, known as the Rebbe Reb Shmelke (1726-1778). The firstborn son of Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh of Chortkov, Shmuel Shmelke traced his ancestry back to the Baal HaMaor and to Shmuel HaNavi. As a teenager, he and his brother Pinchas - who was to become the Ba’al HaFla’a of Frankfurt – would study bechavrusa; their chidushim were printed by Rabbi Pinchas in a kunterus called “Sheves Achim.” In their early years, Shmuel Shmelke and Pinchas studied Torah in nonchasidic Lithuanian yeshivos; but after traveling to Mezritch and meeting the Maggid, they became his ardent followers. After becoming a chasid, he became Rabbi of Ritchval, the site of his famous yeshiva that produced his many famous talmidim. After serving there for 10 years, he became Rabbi of Shiniva. Then, in 1773, he was invited to become Rabbi of Nikolsburg in Moravia. Although he was there only 5 years, he made a powerful impact, one that remains associated with that city to this day. Among his disciples are the Chozeh of Lublin, Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Rymanov, Rabbi Yisrael of Koznitz, Rabbi Mordechai Banet and Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov. His homilies and novellae were published in Divrei Shmuel, and anthologies of his Torah thoughts were published under the titles Imrei Shmuel, Nazir Hashem and Shemen Hatov. Some say his Hilula is Rosh Chodesh Bet Iyar.

Rabbi Moshe Zakan Mazuz of Djerba (1851-1915). Rabbi and Av Beis Din in Djerba, he authored Tzadik Venisgav; Shaarei Moche (a collection of responsa); Shem Moche.

Rabbi Avraham Badush of Mexico, author of Me'oros Avraham

Rabbi Yehuda Meir Abromowitz (1915-2007). He was the chairman of the Agudath Israel World Organization for many years (co-chairman with Rabbi Moshe Sherer when he was alive). He was one of the last Talmidim of Rabbi Meir Shapira.

3rd of Iyar ג אייר - starts Evening of April 23 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Choni Hama'agal A famous personage from the Talmud. There are many famous stories about him including one about standing in a circle to have God bring rain. (see Menachot 94b, Rashi).

Rabbi Aryeh Leib Tzintz of Plotzk, the Maharal Tzintz (1833). Author of Get Mekushar, Maayanei Hachachma on Bava Metzia, Yayin Hamesameyach on Hilchos Yayin Nesech, and a peyrush on Pirke Avos.

Rabbi Yeshaya Steiner of Kerestir (1851-1925). Born in Zbarav, Hungary, he lost his father at the age of 3. When he was 12, he was taken by his mother to Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Liska, the Ach Pri Tevua, whom he succeeded as Rabbi of Liska. He himself was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Avraham. Some say his HIlula is in the year 1825.

Rabbi Abba Berman, Rosh yeshiva Iyun HaTalmud (1919-2005). Born in Lodz, Poland to Rabbi Shaul Yosef, who considered the Chafetz Chaim his primary rebbi. He was a descendant of the Kli Yakar. After his Bar Mitzvah, Rabbi Abba began to learn at the Mir and became very close to Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz. He fled to Sanghai with the yeshiva at the outset of WW2, then migrated to America. He was one of the founders of the Mir in Brooklyn. In Brooklyn, he married Rebbetzen Itka Greenberg. After several years, he moved to Eretz Yisrael and founded Yeshiva Iyun HaTalmud in Bnai Brak. He also lectured frequently at Ponevezh. The yeshiva relocated to Yerushalayim, then to Kiryat Sefer in Modiin Ilit. His many shiurim were published in five sefarim, also named Iyun HaTalmud. He is survived by his Rebetzen and 6 daughters.

Rabbi Yosef Breuer (1882-1980). Born to Sophie Breuer, youngest daughter of Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch and Rabbi Salomon Breuer, then rabbi of Papa, Hungary. Rabbi Hirsch died in 1888 in Frankfurt, and in 1890, when Rabbi Salomon Breuer was chosen to succeed him, the family moved to Frankfurt. Joseph became his father's talmid and was ordained by him in 1903. He attended the universities of Giessen and Strasbourg, earning his Ph.D. in philosophy and political economy in 1905. In 1911, Rabbi Breuer married Rika Eisenmann of Antwerp. He assumed his first rabbinical position in 1919 when he was appointed rabbi of Frankfurt's Klaus Shul. Following Kristallnacht in November 1938, Rabbi Breuer and his family emigrated to Antwerp, and then to the Washington Heights section of Manhattan.

Irena Sendler

• Remember this Tzadeket by reading her story here!




4th of Iyar ד אייר - starts Evening of April 24 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Yosef Dov (Yoshe Ber) Solevetchik of Brisk, the Beis Halevi, father of Rabbi Chaim Solevetchik.Yosef Dov (1820-1892) was born in Nisvizh, near Minsk, to Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik. Rabbi Yitzchak Zev was a grandson through his mother of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin. Although Rabbi Yitzchak Zev was not a Rabbi he was known as a baki in Shas and Shulchan Aruch. By the time Yosef Dov was ten he knew Mesechtas Bava Kama, Bava Metzia, Bava Basra, Brachos, Gittin and Kiddushin by heart and was already writing his own chiddushim. When he was 11 his father brought him to Volozhin to learn under his uncle, Rabbi Itzeleh, the Rosh Yeshiva and son of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin. After his marriage, his father-in-law supported him for thirteen years. In 1849, Rabbi Itzeleh of Volozhin passed away. Less than four years later, his successor, Rabbi Eliezer Yitzchak Fried also passed away. The Rabbanim decided that two descendants of Rav Chaim of Volozhin, the Netziv and the Beis Haleivi, would lead the yeshiva. The Netziv would be Rosh Yeshiva and the Beis Haleivi would be assistant Rosh Yeshiva.The sefer Beis Haleivi is comprised primarily from the shiurim he gave in Volozhin. His derech halimud was something that was completely new and original to the Volozhiner Yeshiva and was very different from the traditional way that shiurim were given there. His sefer Beis Haleivi was published in 1863. In 1865, a delegation from the city of Slutzk came to the Beis Haleivi to present him with a ksav rabbanus that was signed by all of the respected members of the community and recommended by Rabbi Yitzchak Elchonon Spektor, the Kovno Rav. The Beis Haleivi served as Rabbi of Slutzk for close to ten years, but his unbending battle against the maskilim and the wealthy eventually forced him from the city. In 1865, a delegation from Brisk came to him and offered him the position of Rav to replace Rav Yehoshua Leib Diskin who had just moved to Eretz Yisrael. The Beis Haleivi served as Rav in Brisk for 17 years until his passing.

Rabbi Yaakov Sasportes, Rabbi of Amsterdam and antagonist of Shabtai Tzvi (1695). He served as envoy to the Spanish court in Morocco and later became head of the yeshiva in Amsterdam. In his battle against Shabsaism, he produced Tzitzis Novel Zvi in which he collected vast material, including pamphlets and letters, and refuted Shabsi Tzvi's messianism in detail.

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu Taub, Modzhitzer-Tel Aviv Rebbe (1984)

5th of Iyar ה אייר - starts Evening of April 25 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Moshe Zorach Eidelitz of Prague, author of Ohr La’yeshorim, Berurei Hamiddos, and Meleches Machsheves, and Ohr LaYeshraim (1780 or 1755). Orphaned as a youth and raised by Rabbi Yonasan Eibeshutz, Rabbi Zorach grew to become a dayan and darshan in Prague. His great, great-grandson, Rabbi Eliezer Eidletz of Los Angeles, is one of the leading authorities on kashrus in the world. According to some his Hilula is 12 Iyar

Rabbi Yeshaya Pick, author of Haga'os to Mesores Hashas and She’ailas Shalom (1799).

Rabbi Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapira of Mogelnitz (1849). Raised and taught by his maternal grandfather, the Koznitzer Maggid, he was the disciple of the rebbes of Lublin, Pesichah, Apta, and Ruzhin. He married the granddaughter of the Rebbe Rabbi Elimelech of Lyzhinsk.

Rabbi Meir Auerbach (1815-1878). Born in Dobri, he became the Rav of Kalisch, then made aliya to Eretz Yisrael in 1860, replacing Rabbi Shmuel Salant (who was traveling) as Rav of Yerushalayim. Upon the latter’s return, they shared the position. Rabbi Meir played a central role in the establishment of the neighborhood of Meah She’arim. He is the author of Imrei Binah on Shulchan Aruch.

Rabbi Eliezer Chaim Rabinowitz of Yompoli (1916).

6th of Iyar ו אייר - starts Evening of April 26 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Levi ben Gershon (Ralbag), philosopher, and commentator on Chumash. Though a distinguished Talmudist, RabbbiLevi never held a rabbinical office. He earned a livelihood most probably by the practice of medicine. (1288-1344).

Rabbi Yosef Meir Weiss, Admor of Spinka, disciple of Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik of Ziditchov and of Rabbi Chaim of Sanz, author of Imrei Yosef (1838-1909)

Rabbi Dov Berish Zeitlyn of Vilna (1920)

Rabbi Yaakov Chaim Perlow of Stolin, buried in Detroit (1946)

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Halberstam of Stropkov, author of Divrei Menachem, uncle of Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga Lifshitz (1954). During the Holocaust, the Rebbe initially hid in Budapest, then, with the Nazi occupation of Hungary, was taken to Bratislava, Slovakia--along with his wife, a granddaughter, and one son. He lived in New York after the war, teaching at the Stropkover Yeshiva in Williamsburg. He authored the sefer Divrei Menachem.

Rabbi Raphael Binyomin Levine, Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Aryeh-Yerushalayim

Rabbi Tzvi (Hersh) Tevel (1916-2006). Born in Dinov, Galicia, he began learning at Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin when he was 17 where his chavrusa was Rabbi Chaim Kreiswirth. At the age of 22, he became Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshiva Divrei Chaim in Cracow. After his father was murdered by the Nazis, Rabbi Tevel escaped to Russia with his mother and six siblings. After his marriage, his moved to Boro Park in 1951, establishing a shul – Siach Hasadeh – in 1966. For two years, he also ran a yeshiva, Zichron Yaakov. He authored several volumes of Tzion L’nefesh and another sefer called Gilyonei Tzvi.

7th of Iyar ז אייר - starts Evening of April 27 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim of Luntchitz, author of Kli Yakar and Ololos Ephraim. Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim was born in Lunchitz in Poland. He was a disciple of Rabbi Shlomo Luria (Maharshal), the famous talmudist and author of Yam Shel Shlomo. After leading the yeshivah in Lvov, Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim was appointed Rabbi of Prague. He sat on the Beis Din of that city with Rabbi Yeshayah Horowitz (the "Shelah Ha'kadosh"). Among Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim's prominent students was Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heller, author of the Mishnah commentary Tosfos Yom Tov. The Kli Yakar died in Prague, Bohemia, (1550-1619).

Rabbi Chaim Moshe Reuven Elazary was a student of the Slobodka Yeshiva, first in Europe and then in Chevron. He began his rabbinic career in the Bronx, and also taught at a yeshiva in Brooklyn. After 1929, he succeeded his father-in-law, Rabbi Ephraim Pelcovitz, as rabbi of Congregation Agudas Achim in Canton, Ohio. (His father had been in Canton since 1914, and in 1929 moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut.) In 1972, Rav Elazary settled in Petach Tikva. He left numerous published and unpublished works and articles, many of them exhibiting the influence of Rabbi Nosson Zvi Finkel, the Alter of Slobodka. Rabbi Elazary's brothers, Rabbi Betzalel and Rabbi Yisrael, were among those murdered by Palestinian Arabs in the 1929 Chevron massacre. (1984).

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8th of Iyar ח אייר - starts Evening of April 28 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Ezra Rachmiel Rabinowitz of Peshischa (1831)

Rabbi Moshe Mordechai Twersky of Trisk (1943)

Rabbi Raphael Binyamin Levine, son of Rabbi Aryeh Levine. Rabbi Refael studied in the Eitz Chaim Talmud Torah, and was very close to its rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer. He continued his studies in the Chevron yeshiva in Yerushalayim and the Lomza yeshiva in Petach Tikvah, where he studied bechavrusa with Rabbi Reuven Katz, the rav of Petach Tikva. He married Channah Liba, daughter of Rav Chaim Shraga Feivel Frank, the rav of the Yemin Moshe neighborhood in Yerushalayim. After his marriage, he continued his studies in the Mirrer yeshiva under Rabbi Eliezer Yehuda Finkel. When the Beis Aryeh yeshiva opened, Rabbi Refael's father, Rabbi Aryeh Levine asked him to serve as its menahel ruchani, a position he occupied until his final day. He was also a dayan in the beis din tzeddek of the Ashkenaz-Perushim community founded by Rabbi Shmuel Salant. (1925-2002)

9th of Iyar ט אייר - starts Evening of April 29 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Moshe Hager, Rosh Yeshiva of Seret-Vizhnitz, Haifa (1999)

10th of Iyar י אייר - starts Evening of April 30 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Eli HaKohen Gadol and his sons Chofni and Pinchas. The Bnei Yisrael were defeated by the Plishtim, 30,000 soldiers were slaughtered, the Aron Kodesh was taken into captivity, and Chofni and Pinchas, the two sons of Eli Kohen Gadol killed, 864 BCE. Eli dies at age 98 in shock on hearing the news. The Mishkan at Shilo was destroyed.

Rabbi Yitzchak Alfasi (RiF), codifier of the Gemara, author of Sefer Hahalachos (1013-1103). The period of the Geonim began in 589, and ended in 1038 with the petira of Rabbi Hai Gaon. Rabbi Chananel's father, Rabbi Chushiel Gaon, had set out from Bavel to collect funds for a needy bride and was seized by pirates. He was sold as a slave in Africa, but was later redeemed by the members of its Jewish communities. From Africa, he headed to Kairuan, where he became a rosh yeshiva. His son, Chananel, was born in Kairuan. A young student from the Algerian city of Kal'a asked to be admitted to Rabbi Chananel’s yeshiva. His name was Yitzchak Hakohen. As Rabbi Yitzchak advanced in his studies, he became keenly aware of the fact that many people were unable to elucidate the halacha from the Gemara due to the vast amount of material it contains. As a result, he conceived of the idea of compiling a comprehensive and extensive halachic work that would present all of the halachos and the practical conclusions of the Gemara in a clear, definitive manner. To achieve this goal, he retreated to his father-in-law's attic, where he worked on his sefer for 10 consecutive years. During this period, however, a Moslem tyrant gained control of Tunisia, and persecuted all those who did not accept his faith, especially the Jews of Kairuan. As a result, all of the city's Jewish residents fled to places controlled by the Elmuhides, who were more tolerant of the Jews. Among the fugitives was Rabbi Yitzchak who, with his wife and two children, moved to the Moroccan city of Fez. Rabbi Yitzchak remained in Fez for 40 years, during which time he completed his Sefer Ha'halachos, which is considered the first fundamental work in halachic literature. Eventually, he became known as Rabbi Yitzchak Alfasi, or the Rif. Rabbi Yitzchak was niftar at the age of 90 in 1103. He was succeeded by the Ri mi'Gaash. Some say his Hilula is 11 Iyar

Rabbi Yosef Teumim, author of Pri Megadim, on the Shulchan Aruch, Rabbi of Frankfurt (1727-1792). Pri Magadin is actually a 2-part commentary: (a) Mishbetzos Zahav on the Tur, and (b) Aishel Avraham on the Magen Avraham. He also wrote a commentary on the Torah entitled Rav Peninim, as well as Porat Yosef and Rosh Yosef, chidushim on various mesechtas. Some say his Hilula is 11 Iyar.

Rabbi Yitzchak Yehuda Yechiel Eizik of Komarna, author of Shulchan Hatahor (1806-1874)

Rabbi David Twersky of Tolna (1808-1882), son of Rabbi Mordechai of Chernobyl. His works include Magen David. There is a Tolner Shul in Tzefas even today.

Rabbi Hillel Lichtenstein of Kalamei, in the Ukraine (1814-1891). Born near Pressburg (present-day Bratislava, Slovakia), he became one of the leading students of the Chasam Sofer. After his marriage, Rabbi Lichtenstein studied in Galante, Hungary. His rabbinic career in 1846, first as rabbi of Margareten, Hungary, then as rabbi of Klausenberg (today, Cluj, Romania). Eventually, he became rabbi of Kolmyya, Galicia (today in Ukraine). He was among the fiercest opponents of the Haskalah and a strong supporter of settlement in Eretz Yisrael. He helped his son-in-law, Rabbi Akiva Yosef Schlesinger, buy up land for what became the city of Petach Tikva. He wrote numerous books including Avkas Rachel (mussar), Beis Hillel (letters regarding strengthening observance), Maskil El Dal (derashos), Teshuvos Beis Hillel (responsa), and others.

11th of Iyar יא אייר - starts Evening of May 1 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz, author of Ayalah Sheluchah and Zera Kodesh, (1760-1827). When Rabbi Naftali decided to join the chassidic movement he chose Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk as his mentor. He subsequently became a dedicated chasid of the Chozeh of Lublin, the Maggid of Koznitz, and Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Rymanov. Foremost among his talmidim is Rabbi Chaim of Sanz. His son, Rabbi Yaakov, was the author of the sefer Zerah Yaakov.

Rabbi Aaron Pfeffer, Rabbi in South Africa

Rabbi Yitzchak of Radwill, son of Rabbi Yechiel Michel, the Zlotchover Maggid (1832)

12th of Iyar יב אייר - starts Evening of May 2 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Yehuda Tzvi Eichenstein of Dolima (1909)

13th of Iyar יג אייר - starts Evening of May 3 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Masoud bar Yaakov Abuchatzera, the father of the Baba Sali (1908) . Some say his Hiula is 12th of Iyar.

14th of Iyar יד אייר - starts Evening of May 4 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

This is the day for Pesach Sheini

Rabbi Meir Baal Haness (121 CE). A descendant of proselytes, Rabbi Meir was a talmid of Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Yishmael, and Elisha ben Avuyah. There are 335 halachos are mentioned in the Mishnah with Rabbi Meir's explanations. His wife was the famous wise woman, Beruriah. She advised him wisely when neighboring wicked people disturbed him (Berachos 10a), and when their two sons died she broke the news gently and comforted him. He was one of the five scholars ordained by Rabbi Yehuda ben Bava during the persecutions following the Bar Kochva revolt (Sanhedrin 14). Rabbi Meir was buried in Teveria. His main Teacher was the Acher (The Other) who entered the Pardes with Rabbi Akiva and came out a heretic due to his misunderstanding of what he saw in the Garden.

Rabbi Shmuel of Karov (1820). Born in Neustadt, he became a close chassid of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk and later the Chozeh of Lublin. From the year 1815, he became Rabbi in Karov and Wangrob.

Rabbi Leib of Zelikov, talmid of the Chozeh of Lublin and author of Lekutei Maharil (1826)

Rabbi Yehudah Tzvi of Stretin (1907)

Rabbi Eliyahu Chaim Meisel, av beis din of Lodz (1821-1912). Born in Horodok, he became the Rabbi of the city from 1840 to 1843. Later Rabbi of Drazin 1843-1861, Prozan 1861- 1867 (were he showed heroic dedication during a deadly epidemic), and Lomza.1867-1879 where he was able to reduce by 500 a year the number of people called for army service. He was Chief Rabbi of Lodz from 1873 until his petira.

Rabbi Tuvia Goldstein (2003). Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Emek Halacha in Boro Park.

15th of Iyar טו אייר - starts Evening of May 5 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

֑Rabbi Chaim Meir Yechiel Shapira of Mogelnitz (or Moglonitza) (1849). He was raised and taught by his maternal grandfather, the Koznitzer Maggid. He married the granddaughter of the Rabbi Elimelech of Lyzhinsk. He was also the disciple of four leading figures of his generation: the rebbes of Lublin, Pesichah, Apta, and Ruzhin. Some say his Hilula is 5th Iyar.

16th of Iyar טז אייר - starts Evening of May 6 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Meir ben Gedaliah of Lublin, author of Maharam on Shas, also known as Meir Einai Chachamim. He was invited to the rabbinate of Cracow in 1587, before the age of 30. In 1591 he became rabbi at Lemberg. In 1613 he became rabbi at Lublin and established a Yeshiva (1558-1616).

Rabbi Yechiel Michel Feinstein (1906-2003), born to Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak in Uzda, Lithuania. At the age of seven Yechiel Michel lost his father and went to live with his grandfather, Rabbi David Feinstein, the Rabbi of Stravin, Byelorussia. There he learned with his grandfather and uncles, Rabbi Moshe and Rabbi Mordechai. After his bar mitzvah he traveled to Slutsk to learn under Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer. When the Bolsheviks arrived, the yeshiva was forced to flee Lithuania, to Kletsk, Poland. There, he continued his studies with Rabbi Meltzer and Rabbi Aharon Kotler. After three years, he moved to Mir to learn with Yeruchom Leibovitz. He also learned in Brisk, Grodno, and Vilna. He escaped Europe for America in 1941, traveling together with Rabbi Aharon Kotler. Upon his arrival he opened a yeshiva in Boston for the talmidim of Yeshivas Mir. Six months later his uncle, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, summoned Rabbi Yechiel Michel to serve at his side as head of Yeshivas Tiferes Yerushalayim in New York. He was to spend the next sixty years there. During a brief trip to Eretz Yisrael in 1946, he married a daughter of the Brisker Rav, Lifsha.Some say his Hilula is 17th Iyar.

17th of Iyar טו אייר - starts Evening of May 7 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, the Noda Beyehuda (1713-1793). Born in Apta, Poland, learned and served in Brody, then Prague. He also wrote Dagul Meirevavah on the Shulchan Aruch and Tzelach on Shas, as well as Doresh Tziyon and Ahavas Tziyon. He was able to trace his family lineage back to Rashi.

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Ephraim of Sadlikov, grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, author of Degel Machaneh Ephraim (1748-1800). He was born and died in Medzibosh, and his grave is next to that of the Baal Shem Tov. His brother was the famous Rabbi Baruch of Medzibosh. After the Baal Shem Tov's passing, Moshe Chaim studied under the Maggid of Mezritch and Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polnoye, the author of Toledos Yaakov Yosef.

Rabbi Mordechai ("Mottele") Twersky of Rachmistrivka (~1830-1921). Born in Rachmistrivka, Podlia (Ukraine), his father Nachman was a grandson of Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl. He moved to Yerushalayim from Europe in 1908 (or 1906). His father, Rabbi Yochanan Twerski, son of the famous Rabbi Mottele of Chernobyl, was the first Rabbi of the Rachmistrivka dynasty. When his father was niftar in 1895, Rabbi Menachem and his two brothers shared the Rachmistrivka court together for 11 years. On the first day of Chol Hamoed Pesach in 1921, Rabbi Mordechai was attacked by a mob of Arabs while on his way to the Kotel. He passed away a month later, due to complications of injuries sustained during that attack.

Rabbi Pinchas of Ostila Twerski. The son of Rabbi Mordechai of Rachmistrivka, both of Rabbi Pinchas’s parents were descendants of the Baal Shem Tov’s greatest talmidim – Rabbi Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl (on his father’s side) and Rabbi Pinchas of Koritz (on his mother’s side). After marrying Chana Rachel, the daughter of Rabbi Yissacher Dov of Belz, Rabbi Pinchas settled and learned in Blez for 23 years. In 1923, he became the Rav of Ostilla, and after a few years he moved to P’shemish. Rabbi Pinchas was deported to the Belzec Extermination Camp on the 17th of Iyar in 1943. Close to one million Jews were murdered at Belzec; it is lesser known that other camps since almost no one survived to tell of it. No one knows exactly when Rabbi Pinchas was niftar, so his yahrtzeit was established on the same day as that of his father. The only member of his family to survive the war was his daughter, who married Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Skver. Together, they built Kiryas Skver and the Skverer Torah institutions (1880-1943).

Rabbi Tavi Hirsch Rosenbaum, the Kretchnif-Sighet Rebbe (1921-2005).

18th of Iyar יח אייר - starts Evening of May 8 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

This is the High Energy of Lag B'Omer. This is due to the actual counting of the Omer for this day and represents the spiritual potential of the Torah without the physical limitations of this world.

Lag Ba'Omer, Hilula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai,, author of the sacred Zohar (“Brilliance”), was a tannaitic sage in ancient Israel, and one of the most eminent disciples of Rabbi Akiva. He was active after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. During the persecution by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, when the Talmudic Academies were shut down and the study of the Talmud was forbidden on penalty of death, Rabbi Akiva continued to teach the Talmud publicly, and his devoted pupil Shimon stayed at his side. Even after the arrest of Rabbi Akiva, Shimon continued to visit his master in prison to receive instruction there. After Rabbi Akiva died a martyr’s death at the hands of the Romans, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, together with his son Rabbi Elazar, went into hiding in a cave in the mountains near Peki'in in the Galilee, where they stayed for 13 years. There, he wrote the Zohar. This body of mystical knowledge was given orally by Hashem to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai. With the passage of Israel's history, these teachings were lost to most people, until Rabbi Shimon, fearing a permanent loss of this knowledge, recorded them in the Zohar. After leaving the cave, Rabbi Shimon settled in the town of Tekoa, where he founded a great academy, where the greatest scholars of the time gathered to receive instruction from him. Among them was Rabbi Yehudah, the son of Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel, the Nassi, later the compiler of the Mishnah. Bar Yochai died on the 33rd day of the Omer, known as Lag BaOmer. On that evening, the daylight was miraculously extended until he had completed his final teaching and died. As his passing left such a "light" behind, many candles and/or bonfires are lit at his burial place in Meron as well as in locales throughout Israel and the Diaspora. Some teach that this is not the Hilula for Rabbi Shimon but it is the night that Rabbi Akiva began to teach Rabbi Shimon Kabbalah. After being hidden for a 1000 years, the Zohar was rediscovered by Rabbi Moshe de Leon in Spain, in the 13th century. There are some people who teach that the Zohar was taken by the Knights Templar from Jerusalem to Spain where it came into the hands of Rabbi Moshe De Leon.

Rabbi Moshe Isserles (the Rema), on the Shulchan Aruch (1520-1572). Born and died in Cracow, Poland. He composed glosses on those paragraphs of the Shulchan Aruch in which he differs from the author, stating the Halacha as it has been decided by the Ashkenazi authorities, which is binding on Ashkenazi Jews. Rema named his glosses Mappah ("Tablecloth"), as a "cover" for the Shulchan Aruch ("the Set Table"). These glosses have been incorporated into the text and are distinguishable in that they are printed in Rashi script. This consolidation of the two works symbolizes the underlying unity of the Sephardi and Ashkenazi communities. It is thru this unification that the Shulchan Aruch became the universally accepted Code of Law for the entire Jewish people. The Rema also wrote Darkei Moshe, a commentary on the Arba’ah Turim. He became a son-in-law of Rabbi Shalom Shachna, Rosh Yeshiva of Lublin. He was also related to Rabbi Meir Katzenelenbogen – the Maharam Padua – and to Rabbi Shlomo Luria – the Maharshal.

Rabbi Moshe Kohen Narol, Rav of Metz and author of Sefer Kel Molei Rachamim (1659)

Rabbi Moshe Eiseman, Rosh Yeshiva in Beis Meir-Vineland. He was sent by Rabbi Yechiel Schlesinger in the Frankfurt yeshiva to Ponevezh. He is a cousin to the Baltimore mashgiach by the same name.

Rabbi David Hecksher, Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshiva Kol Torah

Rabbi Alter Eliyahu Rubinstein (1947-2005). Born in Siget, Hungary to his father Rabbi Fishel HaLevi Rubenstein. A few years later his parents moved to Eretz Yisrael and settled in the village Beit Gamliel near Yavneh. After his bar mitzvah, Rav Alter Eliyahu studied under the Sanz-Klausenberger Rebbe in Netanya . He married the daughter of Rav Yehoshua Deutch, the Av Beis Din of Katamon, Yerushalayim. After studying for a few years in Rechovot, the Rebbe appointed him head of "Kollel Sanz" in Yerushalayim where he served for twenty-two years, from 1970 until 1993. He also headed "Kollel Shomrei Hachomos" and was a member of the "Vaad Rabanei Sanz." In 1993 he was appointed as rabbi of the Shomrei Hachomos kehilla in Ramat Shlomo, Yerushalayim. In 2004, Rabbi Alter Eliyahu was appointed Av Beis Din of the 1,300 families of Kehillas Antwerp, to replace Rabbi Chaim Kreiswirth.

19th of Iyar יט אייר - starts Evening of May 9 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Meir ben Baruch, the Maharam MiRottenberg, teacher of the Rosh, (1215-1293). In 1286, Rudolf of Germany wanted to institute a new tax on the Jews of Germany. The Jews objected to this tax. The Maharam decided to leave Germany, but on the 4th of Tamuz, he was kidnapped by the Bishop of Bazil and handed over to the Emperor, who held Rabbi Meir captive in the Tower of Enzisheim in Alsace. Rabbi Meir composed “Shaali S'-rufa B'esh,” which is included in the kinos of Tisha B'Av. He was niftar in the prison and wasn’t properly buried until 4 Adar in 1307.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Rimanov (1755-1815). He was introduced to Chasidus at the age of 11 when he met the Maggid of Mezritch. He studied Torah and Chassidus under Reb Shmelke of Nikolsburg, together with two of his friends, the Chozeh of Lublin and the Maggid of Koznitz. His main teacher, however, was of Reb Elimelech of Lyzensk. Among his disciples were such outstanding Chassidic leaders as Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz and Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov. His teachings are collected in Menachem Zion, Divrei Menachem, and Be'eros HaMayin.

Rabbi Pinchas Twersky of P’shemishel (1943).

Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Mordechai Soloveitchik of Lucerne (1915-1995). His father was Rabbi Yisrael Gershon Soloveitchik, son of Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk. Soon after his Bar Mitzvah, he traveled to Kamenitz to study under Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz. He fled Poland to evade the draft, along with Rabbi Ahron Leib Shteinman, and the two stayed in Switzerland until the end of World War II. After the war, they traveled to Eretz Yisrael and studied at the Lomza Yeshiva in Petach Tikva, where he shared a room with Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky. He moved to Lugano and then Lucerne to head a Yeshiva and married Rivka Ruchama, daughter of Rabbi Shmuel Zanvil Neuman.

Rabbi Ezra Attia of Syria, Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef, Yerushalayim from 1925 to 1970 (1885-1970). He was born in Aleppo, Syria in 1887, and was named after the prophet Ezra because his mother Leah had had several miscarriages before his birth and gave birth to him after praying at Ezra's grave in Tedef, Syria. Rabbi Attia began his studies in Aleppo under Rabbi Yehuda Aslan Attia (possibly a distant relative), but he soon moved with his family to Yerushalayim. After his father died when Rabbi Attiah was 20, three leading Sephardic sages took upon themselves to support him so he could continue his studies. In 1907, Rabbi Attia began studying in the new Yeshivat Ohel Moed (which later became Porat Yosef) under Rabbi Raphael Shlomo Laniado and Rabbi Yosef Yedid. His studies were interrupted by World War I, and he fled to Egypt to avoid being drafted into the Ottoman Army. While there, he established Yeshivat Keter Torah in Cairo, which continued to exist until 1948. Returning to Eretz Yisrael, Rabbi Attia was appointed to head Yeshivat Porat Yosef and also to serve on the Sephardic Bet Din. He continued to head Porat Yosef until his death, and among his students were Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, Rabbi Ben Zion Abba Shaul, and leading rabbis of the Syrian communities in the United States and Panama.

Rabbi Moshe Kopshitz (1941-2004), great-grandson of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld. Rosh yeshiva of Kol Yaakov and Rav of yerushalayim’s Romema neighborhood.

20th of Iyar כ אייר - starts Evening of May 10 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Mordechai (“Mottel”) of Chernobyl (1770-1838). Successor to his father, Rabbi Nachum, the Meor Einayim, he became the son-in-law of Rabbi Aharon the Great of Karlin and subsequently of Rabbi David Seirkes. His eight sons all became major Chasidic leaders. One of them married the daughter of Rabbi Dov Ber of Lubavitch.

Rabbi Chaim Avraham Gagin (1787-1848). Born in Constantinople, Turkey, to Rabbi Moshe, a descendent of Rabbi Chaim Gagin, a fugitive of the Spanish expulsion. Rabbi Chaim Avraham’s father died when his son was just one year old. His second wife was the daughter of the, Rabbi Avraham Shalom Sharabi, grandson of the Rashash, Rabbi Shalom Sharabi. After his marriage, he became Rosh Yeshiva of Beis Kel, founded by Rabbi Gedaliah Chayun in 1737. He later became Rishon Letzion. His writings included Mincha Tehora on Gemara Menachos, Chukei Chaim (halachic responsa), and others.

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik HaLevy Rabinowitz, author of Doros Harishonim, a Torah-true history of the Jewish People, written to counter the history of the maskilim. He was also an important figure in the founding of Agudas Yisrael. (19th century)

Rav Yosef Valtuch, the tzadik nistar (1983)

21st of Iyar כא אייר - starts Evening of May 11 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Segal, author of Raza Meihemna (1783).

Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Hakohen Rabinowitz (1873-1902). The son of the Chessed L’Avraham of Radomsk, who in turn was the son of the Tiferet Shlomo. During his abbreviated life, he served as Rav of two towns, Breznitza and Klobitz. His older brother, the Keneses Yechezkel included a lengthy hakdama in his sefer, Emes L’Yaakov, about the greatness of his brother, Rabbi Yaakov Yosef.

22nd of Iyar כב אייר - starts Evening of May 12 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer Alfandri, the Maharsha Alfandri (1820-1930). Born in Istanbul, Rabbi Shlomo Eliezer served as the chief rabbi in Istanbul, Damascus, and subsequently in Tzefat for 20 years. He passed away at age 110 in Yerushalayim. Many of his halachic responses are included in his book, Saba Kadisha.

Rabbi Mordechai Shraga Feivish Friedman of Husiatin [Husyatin,Gusyatin] (1835-1894). The sixth and youngest son of Rabbi Yisrael of Ruzhin, he married in 1850 (just four months before the petira of his father) and established a Chasidic court in Husyatin in 1861. As a result, the city became one of the most important Chasidic centers in Galicia, Jews comprising 4197 of the town's 6060 residents in 1890. Sadly, the golden age did not last for long. Husyatin was heavily damaged during World War I, then destroyed during World War II.

23th of Iyar יח אייר - starts Evening of May 13 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

This is a good day to check out the Tzadikim that we do not know their Hilula

24th of Iyar כד אייר - starts Evening of May 14 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Simcha HaKohen of Worms was slain by Crusaders in a church for stabbing the bishop's nephew after he had pretended to submit to baptism (1096)

Rabbi Yitzchak Feigenbaum, Rabbi in Warsaw (1911)

Rabbi Binyamin Mendelson, Rabbi of Kommemiyus, one of the most prominent fighters for kedushas sheviis (1979). Born in Plotzk at the end of the 19th century, his father was Rabbi Menachem Mendel Mendelsohn - a close chassid of the Alexander Rebbe – who served there as Rosh Yeshiva. After World War I, Rabbi Binyomin married and opened a yeshiva in Bodzanov. During his years there, he became a chassid of the Gerer Rebbe, the Imrei Emes. In fact, his notes were used to publish the sefarim of the Imrei Emes decades after the War, as tens of thousands of pages of the Imrei Emes' written chiddushei Torah were lost. With the bracha of the Gerer Rebbe, Rabbi Binyomin moved to Eretz Yisroel in 1933, and was offered the position as Rabbi of Kfar Ata not far from Haifa and served in that capacity for 17 years. In 1951, Rabbi Binyomin left Kfar Ata and its kehilla of 20,000 families and accepted the offer to become the Rav of a small, religious settlement in the Negev called Kommemius, serving the community for the next 27 years One of the most defining aspects of his rabbanus in Kommemius was the fact that all of the mitzvos hateluyos ba'aretz - land based mitzvos, were kept with great alacrity. Shemitta was adhered to according to the opinion of the Chazon Ish with no reliance on the heter mechira that was almost unanimously accepted in those years. Rabbi Binyomin felt that keeping Shemitta was a key to bringing about the geula. He was moser nefesh for Shmitta observance, not only in Kommemius, but in other places as well. His letters, masterpieces of hashkafa and emuna were published posthumously in the sefer Igros HaGrab.

Rabbi Akiva Moshe Gottlieb (1923-2005). Born to Rabbi Shlomo Gottlieb, Rabbi of the Ohr Hachaim shul in Philadelphia, the family moved to Yerushalayim in 1929. After learning at the Chevron Yeshiva, his family moved back to the United States, where he learned at Torah Vodaas. He married in 1946. In 1963, he moved back to Eretz Yisrael to help his parents. He was appointed general manager of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, which he held for 14 years. He also assisted his father in Yeshiva Rabbeinu Chiam Yosef, founded in 1942. After his father’s death, Rabbi Akiva Moshe was responsible for it. He wrote Beis Shlomo, a biography of his father, and Kerem Shlomo, six volumes on chumash and the moadim

25th of Iyar כה אייר - starts Evening of May 15 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Yaakov Loeberbaum of Lisa, author of Chavas Daas and Nesivos Hamishpat

(1832)

Rabbi Ozer of Klementov, author of Even Ha'Ozer on Shulchan Aruch

Rabbi Chaim Hager of Kosov, author of Toras Chaim (1795-1854). Son of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager of Kosov - author of Ahavas Shalom, grandson of Rabbi Yaakov Kopel, and father of the first Vizhnitzer Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Hager, the Tzemach Tzaddik.

Rabbi Chaim Chori, Rosh Beis Din in Tunis, author of Motza Chaim

Rav Shaul Halevi, Rabbi of The Hague and author of Binyan Shaul

26th of Iyar כו אייר - starts Evening of May 16 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Saadyah ben Yosef Gaon (882-942). Born in Fayum (the former name of Cairo), Egypt, he led an all-out war against the Karaites when he was just 23, criticizing their theories with articulately advanced arguments. In 915, he moved from Egypt to Teveria to further his studies. However, the yeshiva of Sura in Babylonia invited him there. Six years later, in 928, he was appointed Gaon of the yeshiva. Two years later, a rift between him and the Rosh Galusa – David ben Zakai – over a beis din decision prompted Rabbi Saadyah’s move to Baghdad. He returned 7 years thereafter, having mended the relationship. His most famous written work is Ha’Emunos veHaDeyos, the first Jewish philosophy book, originally written in Arabic and translated into Hebrew by Rabbi Yehuda ibn Tibbon. His translation of the Chumash into Arabic is used by Yemenite Jews to this day.

Rabbi Aharon Lapapa (1590-1667). Born in Magnesia (Manisa), Turkey, he was a disciple of Rabbi Avraham Motal and Rabbi Yosef Trani in the yeshivos of Salonika and Constantinople. Late in life, on Rosh Chodesh Iyar in 1665, he was appointed dayan of Smyrna (Izmir), effectively splitting rabbinical functions with Rabbi Chaim Benveniste. On the 6th of Tevet of that year, Shabsai Tzvi proclaimed Rabbi Benveniste “supreme rabbi” of Smyrna, no doubt having learned of Rabbi Aharon’s disbelief of his Messianic claims. As such, he was forced to stay home-bound. Some of his response and chidushim to Tur Choshen Mishpat were published in Bnei Aharon.

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, the Ramchal (1707-1747), author of Mesilas Yesharim, Derech Hashem, Pis'chey Chochmah (138 chapters on the entire scope of the Kabbalah in what many authorities consider the most systematic manner ever achieved), and Daas Tevunos. Born in Padua, Italy, the Ramchal was a student of Rabbi Yitzchak Lampronti, author of the Pachad Yitzchak, the first major Talmudic encyclopedia ever assembled. The novelty of his approach drew opposition from a number of his contemporaries. Partially as a result of this opposition, Luzzatto left his native Italy in 1735 and settled in Amsterdam. In 1743, he traveled to Eretz Israel and settled in Acco. He died in a plague only four years later, along with his wife and his son. The Vilna Gaon declared that the Ramchal had the most profound understanding of Yiddishkeit that any mortal human could attain. He furthermore stated that if Luzzatto were alive in his generation, he would go by foot from Vilna to Italy to sit at his feet and learn from him. According to a mesorah, the Gaon was going to Eretz Yisrael to be a talmid of the Ramchal but then found out that the Ramchal was niftar so he returned to Vilna. There is an interesting teaching that the Ramchal was a gilgul of Rebbe Akiva. The two are buried right next to each other and the Ramchal was niftar when he was 40; it is said to make up for the first 40 years of Rebbe Akiva’s life, prior to his doing teshuva.

Rabbi Yitzchak ben Chaim of Volozhin (1779-1849 or 1851), the son of, and successor to, Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin. Rabbi Yitzchak's works include Mili D'Avos on Pirkei Avos and a Torah commentary entitled Peh Kadosh. He is Father-in-law of Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (the "Netziv").

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu of Zhvill (1888).

Rabbi Shlomo (“Shlomke”) Goldman, the Zhviller Rebbe (1870-1945). The younger of the two sons of Rabbi Mordechai of Zhvil, and a descendant of Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov. When a pogrom in Zvhil targeted his brother’s compound and killed the Rebbetzin along with many of the Jews of the area, his brother, Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael, moved to Boston, and Rabbi Shlomo moved to Yerushalayim in 1926. He was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Gedaliah Moshe.

Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Epstein (1770-1857), who served as the rabbi of the town of Homel in White Russia for 58 years, was a leading figure in the first three generations of Chabad Chassidism. As a young man, he became attracted to the teachings of the first Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, and remained a devoted follower of the 2nd and 3rd Rebbes, Rabbi DovBer and Rabbi Menachem Mendel. He authored a number of Chassidic works, including Sh'tei HaMeorot and Chanah Ariel.

Here is a link to a story by Rabbi Yitzchak Eizik Epstein from Chabad. Please copy and paste the link.

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1312/jewish/One-On-One.htm

27th of Iyar כז אייר - starts Evening of May 17 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Eliezer Ze’ev of Kretchenif (1944)

Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Schneerson (1830-1900), Rebbe of of Kapust (Kopys) and author of Magen Avot.

Rebbetzin Yocheved “Jackie” Wein (1934-2006). Born in Vaskai, Lithuania, the youngest child of Rabbi Lazer and Rebbetzin Sarah Menucha Levin. (Rabbi Lazer was a talmid of Kelm and learned with the Chofetz Chaim for five years.) The family moved to Detroit in 1938, to escape the growing terror in Europe. By the time of his (Rabbi Lazer) petirah, fourteen years ago, he was respected as the Chief Rabbi of Detroit. In the mid 1950s, Jackie, a young woman trained as a qualified teacher (at the urging of the legendary Rabbi Simcha Wasserman,) married Rabbi Berel Wein, son of Rabbi Zev and Esther Wein, who was the daughter of Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Rubenstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Bais Medrash L'Torah. The young couple set up their new home in Chicago. In the early sixties, after several productive years in Chicago, Rabbi Wein's rebbi, Rabbi Chaim Kreiswirth advised the brilliant young scholar to go into rabbonus, where he could contribute so much to Klal Yisrael. When a position became available in Miami, the Weins packed up and moved South. But before they left, Rabbi Wein was instrumental in founding the Telshe Yeshiva in Chicago. The family remained in Miami for about a decade, until the early seventies, when Rabbi Wein became the Rabbinic Administrator of the OU, and then founded the kehilla of Bait Torah in Monsey, New York. In addition to raising her young family, Jackie, a trained teacher, accepted a fourth grade teaching job at Yeshiva Spring Valley, a position she held until they moved to Eretz Yisrael. In 1994, when the Weins moved to Eretz Yisrael she once again accepted the role of Rebbetzin with grace, reaching out from their new home in Rechavia, near the Shaarei Chesed neighborhood, where Rabbi Berel serves as a Rabbi.

28th of Iyar כח אייר - starts Evening of May 18 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Shmuel Hanavi (930-878 BCE). He is the son of the famous Channa from the book of Judges

Rabbi Yosef Yehuda Reiner, rosh yeshiva in Yeshiva Kol Torah

Rabbi Yitzchak of Corbeil (or Kurweil), the Baal HaChotem (1280). A student and son-in-law of Rabbi Yechiel of Paris, he authored a halachic compendium called Amudei HaGolah. Because it is briefer than the Semag of Rav Moshe of Coucy, his work is referred to as the Sefer Mitzvos Kattan, or Semak. It lists all post-Temple mitzvos with pertinent halachic details. He also authored some of the writings of the Tosefot.

Rabbi Yerachmiel Yehuda Meir Kalish, the Amshinover Rebbe (1901-1976). Born in Peshischa, he learned with his grandfather, Rabbi Menachem, who was the grandson of the first Amshinover Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Dovid. When Rabbi Mencahem passed away in 1918, one of his sons, Rabbi Yosef, became the Rebbe of Amshinov, and the other son, Rabbi Shimon Shalom – Rabbi Meir’s father – became Rebbe in Otvotzk. Rabbi Shimon was a major driving force behind the exodus of thousands of bachurim in Mir, Kletzk, Radin, Novardak, and other yeshivos to Japan and Shanghai at the outbreak of World War II. By the time Shanghai came under Japanese control, it held 26,000 Jews. After the war, Rabbi Shimon immigrated to America. Upon his petira in 1954, Rabbi Meir accompanied the aron to Teveria in Eretz Yisrael. He later moved to Tel Aviv, and then to the Bayit Vegan section of Yerushalayim. Rabbi Meir was noted for his genius in Torah, as well as his warmth and sensitivity to all Jews. His grandson, Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Milikowski, succeeded him as the Amshinover Rebbe. Some say his Hilula is 27th Iyar.

Rabbi Shlomo Avraham Eliyahu Green of Bnei Brak, the tailor mekubal

29th of Iyar כט אייר - starts Evening of May 19 2023

• Ritual for the Counting of the Omer

Rabbi Meir of Premishlan (1773), a talmid of the Baal Shem Tov. (1850) lived in abject but patient poverty, yet exerted himself tirelessly for the needy and the suffering. His ruach hakodesh and his ready wit have become legendary. He wrote no works, but some of his teachings were collected and published by his Chassidim after his death.