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Hilula and Yarzeit for the Hebrew Month of Nissan ניסן
The first 13 days of Nissan have a special ritual connection to achieve control of each of the months of the year. Please check out the suggestions by the ARI here.
Per the sages, it is good just to say the Name of a Tzadik. Of course, the more one learns about each individual Tzadik strengthens one's connection to that Tzadik and assists in the Channel of connection between you and he/she. As we develop more information about a particular Tzadik his or her name will appear as a Link. Otherwise it will just be listed below the date.
One spiritual ritual recommended by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov is to say the Names of the Tzadikim starting with Adam and Chava and continuing until today. This list will be added as a link when it is available. In the meantime try doing this ritual with the Names of all the Tzadikim who passed in an Hebrew month.
Here is a link to make a donation or to purchase a spiritual gift to help support the building of this list.
Below are the Tzadikim who celebrate their Hilulah during the month of Nissan ניסן
Rosh Chodesh Nissan א ניסן - starts Evening of March 22 2023
Nadav and Avihu, sons of Ahron HaKohen (1309 BCE)
Rav Rachumai, Tanna
Rabbi Shmuel Kellin of Boskowitz, wrote the Sefer Machtzit Hashekel on Magen Avraham
Rabbi Moshe Yosef Hoffman, Dayan in Pupa
Rabbi Elimelech ben Rabbi Chaim Meir Yechiel of Grodzensk, wrote Divrei Elimelech and Imrei Elimelech.He also wrote Aish Kodesh and Chovat Hatalmidim. He is the Father of the Piazeczna Rebbe HY"D
It is the Birthdate of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
The Name Nachman נחמן has a gematria of 148 which is the same gematria as Pesach פסחBy studying some writing or making another connection to Rabbi Nachman we are able to utilize Rabbi Nachman's Light to help us elevate ourselves in preparation for Pesach over the next 14 days. Below are a few quotes from the writings of Rabbi Nachman.
It is recommended in the Kabbalah and by Rabbi Nachman to follow the Nissan Minhag. Click on the link above or below that is called "Ritual for the First Days of Nissan
Always wear a smile. The Gift of Life will then always be yours to give.
It is a great Mitzvah to always be happy.
אם אתה מאמין שיכולים לקלקל, תאמין שיכולים לתקן
Transliteration:Im ata ma'amin sh'ykholim lekalkel, ta'amin sh'yecholim letaken.
If you believe breaking is possible, believe/(know) fixing is possible.
כל העולם כולו גשר צר מאוד, והעיקר - לא לפחד כלל.
Transliteration: Kol ha'olam kulo gesher tzar me'od, v'ha'ikar lo lefahed klal.
All the world is a very narrow bridge, and the most important thing is not to fear at all.
'זכור תמיד: השמחה איננה עניין שולי במסעך הרוחני - היא חיונית
Transliteration: Z'khor tamid: ha'simha einena 'inyan shuli b'masa'akh ha'ruhani - hi hyunit.
Always remember: happiness is not a side matter in your spiritual journey - it is essential.
'היום אתה חש מרומם. אל תיתן לימות האתמול והמחר להשפיל את רוחך
Transliteration: Hayom ata hash m'romam. Al titen l'ymot ha'etmol v'hamahar lehashpil at ruhekha.
Today you feel uplifted. Do not let yesterday and tomorrow bring you down.
Nissan ב ניסן - starts Evening of March 23 2023
Rabbeinu Baruch, father of the Maharam miRottenberg (1275)
Rabbi Eliyahu Kalmankash, Rav of Lublin (1633)
Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber Schneerson, the Rebbe RaShab, 5th Lubavitcher Rebbe (1860-1920). He is the author of hundreds of major tracts in the exposition of Chassidic thought.
Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Twersky, Skverer Rebbe (1899-1968). In the summer of 1919, because of the pogroms in the Ukraine that followed the Bolshevik Revolution, the family moved to Kiev. A few months later, on 15 Kislev, his father, Rabbi David, the Skverer Rebbe, was niftar, and the following fall, the remaining family left for Kishinev, Bessarabia (Moldavia). In 1925, Rabbi Yaakov Yosef married and moved to Belz. A few years later, he returned to Romania and led the Skverer Chasidim in Kolorash as their Rebbe. In the winter of 1945, he moved to Bucharest, from where he moved to the United States (in 1948). After establishing his court in Boro Park, then Williamsburg, he founded New Square a town of Hasidim in 1957.
3rd of Nissan ג ניסן - starts Evening of March 24 2023
Included in the ritual for the Third day of Nissan which is the Tribe of Zevulun is a suggested reading of the Parasha of Manna, Exodus Chapter 16, as this helps with a persons financial issues and sustenance. Please note this is a good thing to do daily except Shabbat.
Rabbi Aryeh Leib Grossnass, author of Lev Aryeh
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Slonim, is the son of Rebbetzin Menuchah Rochel, daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe
Rabbi Eliyahu Meir Finkel, Nasi Yeshivas Mir, Jerusalem, and father of the current Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel.
Rabbi David Stavsky (1930-2004), served in the Columbus (Ohio) Jewish community for the last past 47 years of his life, including as Rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation. He graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in Psychology in 1952, ordained at the RIETS in 1955, and earned a Masters degree in Psychology from The Ohio State University in 1966. Served as Chaplain in the United States Army as a First Lieutenant at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital and was the Post-Chaplain at Fort Carson in Denver, Colorado from 1955-1957. He helped found Columbus Torah Academy in 1958, led the effort to build a mikvah (ritual bath) in Columbus in 1970, helped found the Columbus Community Kollel (learning center) in 1994.
4th of Nissan ד ניסן - starts Evening of March 25 2023
Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi Mecklenberg, author of HaKesav Vehakabala (1865)
Rabbi Yochanan Twersky of Rachmistrivka (1816-1895), son of Rabbi Mordechai, the Maggid of Chernobyl.
5th of Nissan ה ניסן - starts Evening of March 26 2023
Rabbi Moshe ben Shlomo Rokeach(1939) Kiev-Zlotchover Rebbe. He is a descendent of Rabbi Elazar of Amsterdam. He is buried in Mount Judah Cemetery in Queens, NY.
Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heshel of Apt, the Ohev Yisrael (1755-1825). He is the son of Rabbi Shmuel the Apta rebbe. He learned under Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk and Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov. In 1800 he accepted the post of Rabbi of Apta. Although he held many other rabbinic positions, to the chasidim he remained always the Apter Rav. He lived his last years in Medzibosh, the birthplace of the Baal Shem Tov. He is buried next to the Baal Shem Tov.
Rabbi Shneur Zalman Ashkenazi of Lublin, Rav of Polotzk, Lublin; author of Torat Chessed (1830-1902).
Rabbi Reuven Yosef Gershonowitz, the tzadik of Ofakim, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva of the Negev. (1915-1995)
Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Spira (1841-1924). Born to Rabbi David of Dinov, son of Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov (the Bnei Yissaschar), he became very close to Rabbi Chaim, the Sanzer Rav, at a very early age. At the age of 16, he married Sarah Horowitz, a great-granddaughter of Rabbi Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz. He was appointed Av Beis Din of Bluzhov. In 1874, with the passing of his father, his older brother, Rabbi Naftali Hertz, became Rebbe of Dinov, but with his passing a few years later, most of the Chasidim followed Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech. He wrote the Sefer Tzvi Latzadik.
6th of Nissan ו ניסן - starts Evening of March 27 2023
Rabbi Aharon ben Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Roth, (1947) He wrote the Sefer Shomer Emunim The Shomer Emunim, Toldos Ahron and Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok dynasties come from him.
Rabbi Hillel ben Zev Tzvi HaKohen Klein, Buried in Brooklyn's Washington Cemetery.
Rabbi Meir ben Yaakov Schiff, the Maharam Schiff (Some sources say 20Adar)
Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch of Koristchover - He is a student of the Baal Shem Tov
Rabbi Shmuel Yehuda Katzenellenbogen (1521-1597). The son of Rabbi Meir of Padua (the Maharam Padua), Rabbi Shmuel was born in Padua. He served on the Beis Din of Venice and became Rav of the city and headed its yeshiva. His sefer, Drashos Rabbi Shmuel Yehuda, also called Shteim Esre Drashos, is sometimes erroneously named Drashos Mahari Mintz.
Rabbi Yaakov Temerlis (1668). Borns in Worms, he traveled to Lublin and then Kremenitz, Poland. Late in life, he moved to Vienna. His sefarim included Sifra DiTzniyusa DeYaakov, a kabbalistic commentary on the Torah.
Rabbi Chaim Abulafya, born in Chevron, Rabbi of Tzefas, Izmir (Turkey), Tveria (1660-1744), He is known as a miracle worker
Rabbi Meir Dan Plotsky (Plotzki) of Warsaw (1866-1928), the son of Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Ber Plotzker from Kutno, a chassid of Rabbi Chanoch Henich of Alexander, and then of the Sfas Emes of Ger. At the age of nine, Rabbi Meir Dan was sent to learn in the yeshiva of Rabbi Chaim Eliezer Wacks, the Nefesh Chayah, in Kalish. Shortly before his Bar Mitzvah, he became a talmid of Rabbi Avraham of Sochotchov, the Avnei Nezer, whom he considered his lifelong rebbi muvhak. He married at the age of 15 and spent the next 10 years in Dvohrt with his in-laws. In 1891, he became Rav in Dvohrt. Later he helped expose the forged Yerushalmi on Kodshim, claimed to be discovered by Shlomo Yehuda Friedlander, who also claimed he was a Sefardi named Shlomo Yehuda Algazi. At the age of 36, he published his work on the Sefer Hamitzvos of the Rambam, called Kli Chemdas Yisrael. In 1918, he became Rav of Ostrov-Mozbaisk in eastern Poland. He was voted chairman of Agudas Harabbanim of Poland, a prelude to Agudas Israel. At the age of 60, he left to head a large yeshiva in Warsaw, known simply as the Mesivta. Rabbi Meir Dan also authored Kli Chemda on Chumash and Chemdas Shlomo on Orach Chaim.
7th of Nissan ז ניסן - starts Evening of March 28 2023
Rabbi Pinchas Zelig, Rav of Lask and author of Ateres Paz (1670)
Rabbi Aryeh Leib Yellin of Bialystock, author of Yefeh Einayim (1884)
Dr. Moshe Wallach, founder of Shaarei Tzedek Hospital (1957), known for his Righteousness.
Rabbi Yitzchak of Drovitch (Drohobich) ben Rabbi Yosef (1758 some say 1744). He was the father of Rabbi Yechiel Michel, the Maggid of Zlotschov. In later years, Rabbi Yitzchak served as the official maggid or "mochiach" (admonisher) and dayan in the beis din of Brod at the time when Rabbi Yitzchak of Hamburg was serving as the town's rav. Rabbi 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.
Rabbi Aryeh Yehuda Leib Epstein (Leibush the 2nd) of Oztrov (1852-1928 some say 1914), son of Rabbi Yechiel Chaim of Oztrov and grandson of Rabbi 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. Rabbi Leibush succeeded his father as Rebbe in 1888. His most famous follower was Rabbi Meir Yechiel HaLevi Halshtok of nearby Ostrovtza. Rabbi Leibush was succeeded by his oldest son, Rabbi Avraham Shlomo, whom in turn was followed by his son Rabbi 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.
8th of Nissan ח ניסן - starts Evening of March 29 2023
Rabbi Eliyahu of Prague ben Binyamin Wolf Shapiro, author of Eliyahu Rabba (1712)
Rabbi Yechiel Michel Tikochinsky, author of Gesher HaChaim (some say his Hilula is the 25 th of Tevet)
Rabbi Eliyahu ben Binyamin Wolf Shapiro MiPrague, the Eliyah Rabba on Shulchan Aruch, and Eliyah Zuta on the Levush to Orach Chaim. He was a student of the Magen Avraham in his youth (1660-1712).
Rabbi Eliyahu Hakadosh of York, Rabbeinu Yom Tov, and several other English Tosafists, who perished at Clifford's Tower, during the Crusades, 1146. This is where the Cherem of York, forbidding Jews to never sleep in the City of York overnight, started.
Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi Yales of Premezyl, author of Melo Haroim and Kehillas Yaakov (1825)
Rabbi Mordechai ben Dov Ber Shapira of Neshchiz (1740-1800). Descended from the Maharal of Prague and Don Yitzchak Abarbanel, Rabbi Mordechai was a disciple of Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov. His sayings were collected in Rishpei Eish. He was succeeded by his son, Rabbi Yitzchak of Neshchiz.
9th of Nissan ט ניסן - starts Evening of March 30 2023
Rabbi Yosef Yoska (Yozfe) Han Nargolin ben Pinchos, He is the author of Yosef Ometz (1637)
Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi Yalish (Yolles) of Dinov, the Melo Haro’im {Malei Roim} (1778-1825). He was born in Premeshyl, but moved in with his grandfather, the Rabbi of Mezhibuzh, after his mother passed away at an early age. He was a chassid of the Chozeh of Lublin, and he also authored Kol Yaakov (on Torah and Nach). Dinov is a town 175 miles SSE of Warsaw, in the Lvov district. Jews are first noted in 1552.The Dinov Chassidic dynasty was started by Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech Shapira. By 1880 the Jewish population stood at 1,241 (total 2,784). Most of the Jews left Dynów for Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Austria at the outbreak of World War I, returning four years later to find the town virtually destroyed. On 15 Sept. 1939, an SS unit arrived and rounded up 300 men and shot them in the forest. The Great Synagogue was burned to the ground on the same day. The rest of the Jews were expelled to Soviet-held territory. Some 200-250 survived the war, most in the Soviet Union. Rabbi Yaakov Tzvi served as Rabbi in Dinov, and later of two other cities, but decided to devote himself to full-time learning and left the Rabbinot. He also authored Beis Vaad Lechachamim on the history of the Tana’im and Amora’im, Emes Le’Yaakov on Torah, Chinuch Beis Yehudah (named for his grandfather) on Chanukah, Parashas Derachim Zuta, and his most famous sefer Melo Haro’im.
Rabbi Aryeh Leib Ben Rabbi Binyamin Beinish Levine, the Tzadik from Yerushalayim, Mashgiach, Yeshiva Eitz Chaim (1885 1969); emigrated to Eretz Yisrael in 1905. There are many stories told about him including some published on the world wide web.
Rabbi Chaim Meir Hager, the Imrei Chaim (1887-1972). Son of Rabbi Yisrael of Vizhnitz, he became the son-in-law of Rabbi Zev of Rachmistrivka. In 1910, he became Rabbi of Wilhovitz. After World War II, he moved to Eretz Yisrael and established Kiryat Vizhnitz in Bnai Brak where he rebuilt Chassidus Vizhnitz as Rebbe for 35 years.
10th of Nissan י ניסן - starts Evening of March 31 2023
This is the day to take control of your lamb, If you are a person who reads the Torah literally. This mitzvah is considered not doable since the Temple is destroyed. It also only applies within the Land of Israel. The Kabbalists do this action as least once in their lifetime.
Miriam Hanevia The sister of Moshe and Aaron. After she passed the Well of Miriam stopped giving water until Moshe again hit the rock even though HaShem told him to speak to the rock. (1270 B.C.E. some say 1272 BCE)
Rabbi Chaim of Sanz -
Rabbi Betzalel Hacohen, Rav of Vilna, author of Mareh Cohen and Shu”T Reishis Bikkurim. [note: a sefer by the same name was written by Rabbi Dov Ber Baruchoff of Congregation Beth Israel in Malden, MA; d Pesach 1939]
Rabbi Shalom Mashash, Sephardic Rav of Yerushalayim (1909-2003). Born the Moroccan city of Meknes, a city of Torah known as the Yerushalayim of Morocco. Rabbi Shalom learned under Rabbi Meir Toledano until the age of 14. His father then sent him to learn under the great sage Rabbi Yitzchak Sabag. Writing in his sefer, Tevu'as Shemesh, Rabbi Shalom declares, "The fact that I was able to grow in Torah may be credited to my father, who did not yield to the pressures and offers that I pursue lucrative positions in banks….Thus, all the credit for my Torah learning is his, too.” His other main mentor was his relative from both his paternal and maternal sides, Rav Yehoshua Birdugo, the raavad of Meknes. In 1960 with the petirah of the chief Rabbi and dayan of Casablanca, Rabbi Dovid Ibn Sussan, Rabbi Shalom became its raavad and chief rav, serving there for thirty years. In 1978, he moved to Eretz Yisrael to take the position as Chief Sepharic Rav of Yerushalayim. He was niftar on Shabbat Hagadol 5763 which is the Georgian Calendar year of 2003.
11th of Nissan יא ניסן - starts Evening of April 1 2023
Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Lipschitz, Chemdas Shlomo (1839)
Rabbi Betzalel Hakohen of Vilna, He is the author of Mareh Kohen
Birthday of The 7th Chabad Rebbe
Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, the Ramban, (1194 or 95 -1270), was born a scion of a renowned rabbinical family, in Gerona, Spain, where he remained most of his life. He is known as a talmudist, kabbalist, halachist, and a commentator on holy books. Commonly spoken of as the Ramban (after the initials in his name), or as Nachmanides, he was a student of the Ramah (Rabbeinu Meir ha'Levi Abulefia), and was described by the Ari as the last of the ancient Kabbalistic school, who received direct transmission of the mystical secrets that were later concealed. The Rivash (Rabbi Yitzchak ben Sheset Perfet), wrote of 
him, "All his words are like sparks of fire, and the entire communities of Castille rely upon his halachic ruling as if given directly from the Almighty to Moshe Rabeinu." His mentors in Kabbalah were were R' Ezra and R' Ezriel, both of Gerona. He also studied medicine, which he practiced professionally, as well as languages and physics. The Ramban authored the Milchamos HaShem on the Rif Alfasi against the critique of Baal HaMaor and Ravad; he also wrote a work defending the Bahag against the Rambam’s criticisms of his classification of mitzvos; and he wrote an account of his public disputation in Barcelona with the convert Pablo Christiani in 1263. After the disputation the Ramban sojourned in Castille of Provence, where he began writing his monumental Torah Commentary, unique in that it not only interprets the verses, but also analyzes the topics, presenting them in a Torah Perspective. The Ramban’s commentary on Chumash is multi-dimensional including all methods of interpretation from simple pshat to esoteric Kabbala. He held that the mitzva of settling Eretz Yisrael applies even today and in 1267, at the age of 72, after a difficult journey and much suffering, he settled there himself, in Acco, a Torah center at that time. He gathered around him a circle of students. The Ramban spent Rosh HaShanah in Jerusalem, which was is a deplorable condition as a result of the havoc wrought by the Crusaders. He designated a desolate house as a synagogue, and brought in a Torah scroll from Shechem. In this synagogue he gave a drasha on the laws of Shofar, and exhorted the inhabitants of Israel to be exceedingly careful that their actions be righteous, for they are like servants in the King's palace. With Rambam's help the Jewish community in Jerusalem, which had all but ceased to exist, began its revival. He passed away in the Holy Land in 1270. Various opinions place Ramban's burial site at Hebron, near the cave of Machpelah, or in Haifa, Acco, or Jerusalem.
Rabbi Yeshayah Horowitz, author of Shnei Luchos Habris (Shelah Hakodesh) (1560-1630), born in Prague, where he became chief rabbi. In his later years he moved to Eretz Yisrael and became the chief rabbi of Yerushalayim.
12th of Nissan יב ניסן - starts Evening of April 2 2023
Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Lifshitz, Rabbi of Warsaw, author of Chemdas Shlomo (1839) [11 Nissan according to some] Rabbi Shlomo was born in Posen, which was part of Poland at the time. Posen was a Torah metropolis for centuries. Its rabbonim included the Maharsha, the Maharal and the Levush. (Rabbi Akiva Eiger would serve Posen, beginning in 1815.) Rabbi Shlomo learned under the son-in-law of the Noda bi'Yehuda, known as Yosef haTzaddik, who was Rabbi in Posen, for 25 years until his passing in 1801. After being supported by his father-in-law for 22 years, he took up the yoke of rabbanus in about 1804. He was about 40 years old at the time. His first position was in Nashlask, Poland. After 15 years in Nashlask, Rabbi Shlomo moved to the Warsaw neighborhood of Praga, and in 1819 he became the first chief rav of Warsaw, which boasted 5,000 Jewish families and was the largest and wealthiest kehillah in Poland. An official 1826 census found that 2,500 talmidim were studying in 215 cheders. However, an 1827 government report estimated that 25% of Polish Jews had no livelihood. After serving as rav of Warsaw for 25 years, Rav Shlomo fell ill and passed away. Rabbi Shlomo was survived by his son Rabbi Yoel from his first marriage.
Rabbi Shimshon Dovid Pincus (1944-2001). Born to Rabbi Avraham Chaim and Chava Pincus in the United States, he learned at Brisk in Yerushalayim. He married Chaya Mindel, daughter of Rabbi Mordechai Man, Rosh Yeshiva of Kenesses Chizkiyahu, and continued his studies in Bnei Brak. Then, in 1981, upon the request of the Steipler Gaon and Rabbi Shach, he moved into the Negev to start up the community at Ofakim. He was killed in a car accident along with his wife and daughter.
13th of Nissan יג ניסן - starts Evening of April 3 2023
Rabbi Yosef Karo, Beis Yosef, Shulchan Aruch, Kesef Mishneh,and Magid Meisharim, (1488-1575). His first major work, the Beis Yosef is a comprehensive commentary on the Tur; it took 20 years to write. In it, he gathered the opinions and decisions of all the major authorities up until his time and cross-referenced them. He ruled between differing views on the basis of a consensus between the three preeminent halachic authorities, the Rif, the Rambam, and the Rosh. The work was completed in 1542, but he continued to refine it for the next 12 years, and published a second edition. After he had completed the Beis Yosef, Rabbi Caro made a summary of his rulings in the form of an index without reference to sources and titled it Shulchan Aruch ("Laid Table"). It was completed in 1555 in Israel; it was first published in Venice in 1565. Eventually, the Rama's gloss (called HaMapa -- "The Tablecloth") was published together with the Shulchan Aruch in Cracow in 1578, and together they became the universally recognized Code of Jewish Law. The Rambam had published his Mishna Torah without references for his rulings. The Maggid Mishna, a commentary on Mishneh Torah written by Rabbi Vidal di Tolouse, had referenced six of the fourteen sections of the work, and Rabbi Caro set out to complete the references, while at the same time explaining the Rambam's view and defending it from the Raavad. The Kesef Mishneh, as it was called, was published in Venice between the years 1574-76.
Rabbi Moshe ben Chaim Alshich (1508-1593) [others say 1522-1570]. Born in Adrianople, Turkey, student of Rabbi Yosef Karo in Adrianople and Rabbi Taitatzak in Salonica. He authored Toras Moshe. His students included Rabbi Chaim Vital and Maharitatz (Rabbi Yom Tov ben Moshe Tzahalon). He became a member of the Beis Din in Tzefas and is buried in Tzefas.
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Tzemach Tzedek, 3rd Lubavitcher Rebbe, was born September 9, 1789 CE (29 Elul, 5549) in Liozna, in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. He was known as the Tzemach Tzedek ("Righteous Sprout" or "Righteous Scion"), after the title of a voluminous compendium of halakha (Jewish law) that he authored. He assumed the leadership of Lubavitch on the eve of Shavuot 5591 (May 5, 1831 CE). 
His close friendship with professor J Berstenson, the Czar's court physician, often helped the delicate negotiations relating to the welfare of the Jewish community. The Tzemach Tzedek set up an organization called Hevras Techiyas Hameisim to assist Jewish boy-soldiers who were being recruited and converted to Christianity by the Russian army. These soldiers known as Cantonists were taken away from the Jewish community to other villages. Schneersohn arranged for his students to pay them regular visits to keep up their spirits and discourage them from converting. In 1844-45 he took steps to increase the enrollment and viability of the Lubavitch Yeshivas in Dubroŭna, Pasana, Lyozno and Kalisz, expanding their enrollment to around 600 students in total. Repeated attempts by the Russian authorities to entrap him using informers such as Hershel Hodesh, Benjamin the Apostate and Lipman Feldman failed. He passed away March 17, 1866 CE (Nissan 13, 5626) in Lyubavichi, in the Russian Empire. Several of his sons established Chasidic dynasties.
Rabbi Yoel Moskovitz of Shatz, great-grandson of Rabbi Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov. He was betrothed at the age of thirteen to Rebbetzin Miriam, the youngest daughter of Rabbi Meir of Premishlan. Rabbi Yoel served as a rav in Vornika and Solitza and, after Rabbi Meir's passing in 1850, he set up his court in Shatz, a town in the Bukovina district of Moldavia, an area that straddled modern-day Romania, Ukraine and Hungary. Shatz is now called Suceava or Suczawa. Although Shatz was Moldavia's capital between 1388 and 1565, it was a provincial backwater of the Austrian Empire by the 19th century. According to a 1880 census the town had 3,750 Jews who constituted 37% of the town's total population of 10,104. Today's population of over 100,000 people includes almost no Jews.
14th of Nissan יד ניסן - starts Evening of April 4 2023
This is Erev Pesach
Rabbi Asher Yeshaya of Ropshitz ben Rabbi Eliezer Lipman (1845), son-in-law and successor of Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz.He is the main Rebbi of Rabbi Yechezkel Shraga Halberrstam, the Shinover Rav
Birthday of Maimonides and Maharal of Prague
Rabbi Avraham Yaffen, Rosh Yeshivas Novardok (1897-1970). Educated as a youth in the Pinsk Talmud Torah, he then learned under Rabbi Isser Zalman Melter in Slutzk. In 1913, he was apppinted rosh yeshiva of the main Novardok yeshiva by Rabbi Yosef Yoizel Horowitz and became his son-in-law. From then on, he assisted his father-in-law with all aspects of Novardok’s yeshivas. By 1939, there were over 80 Novardok yeshivas throughout Poland, serving over 4000 students. He moved to Eretz Yisrael in 1964.
15 th of Nissan טו ניסן - starts Evening of April 5 2023
Yitzchak Avinu (1713-1533 BCE) Also his Birthday
He is famous for many things. The most famous is that he did not rise up to strike his father Abraham when he came to bind him as a sacrifice. This is why the incident is called the Binding of Issac and not the Sacrifice of Issac. Even thought the Midrash says he died and was resurrected. This is one of the reasons that the Resurrection of the Dead will come through his Torah teachings.Yehuda ben Yaakov Avinu
Iyov-JobThe Book of Job was written as the story of this man's Tikune of pain and suffering. It is only through the insight of the Zohar that we can understand this true cause and effect on many levels. The Zohar teaches that Job was an advisor to Pharoh who gave advice to Pharoh to enslave the Jewish nation and to kill the male babies. Og another advisor told Pharoh to kill all of them. The Torah testifies to his Tikun. Yitro the third advisor to Pharoh did not answer and ran away to Midian when asked what to do with the Jews!
The Zohar also testifies that Job also was used by HaShem as a scapegoat to keep the Satan away from the Light of Shimini Atzeret.
Rabbi Yona Teumim Frankel (1595-1669), He was Av Beis Din in Metz. He was the son of Reb Yeshia Teumim. He is the author of Kikayon DeYona. In it, he explains the commentaries of Rashi , Tosfos , the Maharsha and the Maharshal on Gemara.
16th of Nissan טז ניסן - starts Evening of April 6 2023
Levi ben Yaakov Avinu, 1567 BCE. This is also his birthday
Rabbi Mordechai Dov Ber Twerski of Tomashpol, son of Rabbi Nachum, son of the Mitteler Rebbe, 1920.
Rabbi Nosson Ordman, Rosh Yeshivas Etz Chaim London for more than 50 years. Born in Tavrik, Lithuania and educated in Telz, he came to London in 1936 (1906-1996)
Rabbi Simcha Zissel Brodie (Broyde), Rosh Yeshiva of Chevron, 2000.
17th of Nissan יז ניסן - starts Evening of April 7 2023
Rabbi Meir Abuchatzeira of Ashdod (1983) ben Rabbi Yisrael the Baba Sali, His sons are all great tzadikim who are sought after by people around the world for their Blessings.
Rabbi Yisrael Noach of Niezhin ben Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch
Rabbi Avraham Reuven ben Hoshke Hakohen Katz of Prague (1673), author of Yalkut Reuveni, a collection of kabbalistic material, arranged according to the verses in the Torah.
Rabbi Yitzchak of Skver (1885)
Rabbi Yirmiyahu Lev, the Divrei Yirmiyahu (1811-1874). Born to Rabbi Binyomin Zev Lev (the Shaarei Torah), he received smicha from Rabbi Mordechai Banet, the Rav of Nicholsburg, at the age of 17. He served as Rav of Magendorf from 1844 to 1851, then succeeded his father in Verbau. Finally, he took a position in Ujhel (Hungary).
Rabbi Moshe Mordechai, succeeded his father, Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Heschel, as Kapischnitzer (Kopycznitzer) Rebbe, until his sudden petirah in 1975.
Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, mashgiach of Yeshivas Givat Shaul in Yerushalayims Sanhedria neighborhood (1916-2005). Born in Berlin, Rabbi Wolbe's early education was in the Yeshiva of Frankfurt and in Rabbi Botchko's yeshiva in Montreux, Switzerland. In the 1930s, he spent several years in Mir, where he became a close talmid Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz and Rabbi Chatzkal Levenstein. Rabbi Wolbe spent the war years in Sweden. After the war, Rabbi Wolbe moved to Petach Tikvah, where he married the daughter of Rabbi Avraham Grodzinsky, hy"d, the last mashgiach of Slobodka. Through her, he became a nephew of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky, and a brother-in-law of Rabbi Chaim Kreisworth. In 1948, Rabbi Wolbe became mashgiach at Yeshivah Gedolah of Be'er Yaakov, a position he held for over 35 years. Later, he served as mashgiach in the Lakewood Yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael and he opened Yeshivas Givat Shaul. Rabbi Wolbe published his first Hebrew work, Alei Shur, to provide today's yeshiva student with a basic guide to assist him to become a ben Torah.
18th of Nissan יח ניסן - starts Evening of April 8 2023
Rabbi Yehudah Tzvi Brandwein (1966 or 1967) - Student of Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag, Teacher of Rabbi Phillip Berg , Second Leader of the Kabbalah Learning Center. He is most famous for the relationship he had as a Rabbi of the orthodox appearance with the non religious Kibbutzniks who described him as a Kabbalist not a Rabbi. He is also noted for his Teachings that are published by the Kabbalah Learning Center in his teachings to Rabbi Phillip Berg by letters durring the 1960's prior to his passing.
Rabbi Meir Halevi Abulafia, the Yad Rama, 1244.
Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik (1903-1993). Son of Rabbi Moshe Soloveitchik, and older brother of Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik. Great-grandson of Rabbi Yosef Ber Soloveitchik, the Beis HaLevy (1820- 1892), and nephew of the Brisker Rav, Rabbi Velvel. Born in Pruzhan, Poland, on 30 Shevat. He was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Berlin, and then settled in Boston in the early 1930’s. He became Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva University, and gave weekly shiurim to senior students, while delivering philosophy lectures to graduate students.
Rabbi Moishe Ellinson, Rabbi Ohel Torah Manchester. His passing was after Jan. 2001.
19th of Nissan יט ניסן - starts Evening of April 9 2023
Rabbi Yehoshua Falk ben Rabbi Alexander Hakohen, author of Me'iras Einayim and D'risha & P'risha on the Tur, the Sema on Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat (1614) As a youth, he learned under the Rema (to whom he was related) and the Maharshal. He later served as Rosh Yeshiva in Lemberg. He is the grandfather of the Pnei Yehoshua.
Rabbi Aharon Hagadol of Karlin (1736-1772). Student of the Maggid of Mezritch, founder of Chasidus in Belarus and the Karlin-Stolin dynasty. Rabbi Aharon left behind a son, Rabbi Asher of Stolin who was the father of Rabbi Aharon Karlin II (1808-1872). His father was known as "the Nistar" which means the hidden.
Rabbi Menachem Ben Rabbi Elazar Ziemba (also known as RabbiMenachem Prager) (1883-1943). Born in Praga, a small neighborhood of Warsaw along the right bank of the Wisla River, Rabbi Menachem was only nine years old when his father, Rabbi Elazar Ziemba was Niftar. He then lived and learned with his grandfather, Rabbi Avraham Ziemba. He married Mindel, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, Rabbi Chaim Yeshaya Tzederboim, when he was 18. When his father-in-law died, he wrote a treatise on carrying on Shabbos and entitled it Totza’as Chaim in his honor. He became a chasid of the Imrei Emes Gur. He was appointed Chief Rabbi of Warsaw in 1935. He became close to Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk, and through him, his son-in-law, Rabbi Avram 'the small' Luftbir of Warsaw. When the latter died childless in 1919 Rabbi Menachem published his sefer Zera Avraham, based on their many correspondences. He died in the Warsaw ghetto.
Rabbi Shlomo Leib of Lentche, 1843.
Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Weiss of Sprinka, 1988.
Rabbi Shmuel Alexander Unsdorfer of Montreal and Petach Tikva, 2002.
20th of Nissan כ ניסן - starts Evening of April 10 2023
Rabbi Yechezkel Panet of Karlsberg ben Rabbi Yosef, Wrote Mareh Yechezkel (1845)
Rabbi Yaakov of Moglonitza ben Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk, was called Tzadik Nistar"
Rabbi Hai bar Sherira Gaon, rosh yeshivas Pompedisa, last of the Gaonim of Pumpedisa (1038)
Rabbi Yitzchak Chori, dayan in Djerba
Rabbi Yitzchak Dov Ber of Liadi, grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek, author of Siddur MaHaRiD, (1910)
21st of Nissan כא ניסן - starts Evening of April 11 2023
Rabbi Shmuel Shapiro, elder Breslav chosid Ziknei Breslov (1989)
Rabbi Shimon Yisrael Posen, the Shoproner Rebbe, author of Toras Aleph, 1969.
22nd of Nissan כב ניסן - starts Evening of April 12 2023
Rabbi Moshe ben Yosef Mitrani, Mabit (some say the 23nd) (1585)
Rabbi Shimon "Caftan" Shlisgal, Gabbai Tzedaka who the Chofetz Chaim said was a hidden tzadik
Rabbi Yehuda Rosanes of Constantinople, author of Mishneh Lamelech, (1658-1727). He also wrote Parashs Derachim.
Rabbi Yitzchak Kalish of Vorki Ben Rabbi Shimon "Baal Rachmonit" Kalish (1779-1848), founder of the Vorki dynasty, father of Rabbi Yaakov Dovid (founder of the Amshinov dynasty) and Rabbi Menachem Mendel, who continued the Vorki dynasty. Through his travels with his teacher, Rabbi David of Lelov, he became a disciple of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak (the "Chozeh") of Lublin and of Rabbi Simchah Bunim of Peshischa. Some of his teachings and stories involving him appear in Ohel Yitzchak and Hutzak Chein, others in Shemu’as Yitzchak.
Dr. Nathan Birnbaum, 1864-1937. A leader in the early Zionist movement, he is credited for coining the word “Zionism” in 1890. He played a prominent part in the First Zionist Congress (1897) and was elected Secretary General of the Zionist Organization. However, ideological differences with Theodore Herzl led to his leaving the movement. In the years preceding World War I he gradually abandoned his materialistic and secular outlook, eventually embracing full traditional Judaism. He may be seen as the forerunner of the modern Baal Teshuvah movement. His most famous book of this period was Gottesvolk (“G-d’s People”) first published in German and Yiddish in 1917 (translated into English in a shortened form by J. Elias in 1947 titled "Confession"). In 1919, he became the first Secretary General of the new Agudath Yisrael Organization. He lived in Berlin 1921-1933. After the rise of Nazism, he left Germany for Scheveningen, Netherlands, until his death.
23rd of Nissan כג ניסן - starts Evening of April 13 2023
Rabbi Yisrael Shalom Yosef ben Rabbi Yitzchok of Bohosh (1926 some say 1923) author of Peer Yisrael
Rabbi Moshe ben Yosef MiTrani, the Mabit (1505-1585). Son of the famous Rabbi Yosef MiTrani (Mahait), Rabbi Moshe was born in Salonika, Greece. He was sent to sent to Adrianople (Italy) as a boy to pursue his studies under the supervision of his uncle Aaron. At the age of 16 he went to Safed and completed his studies under Yaakov Beirav. He was one of four people to receive the special semicha from him in 1538, in Safed, along with Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, and Rabbi Yosef Sagis. In 1525 he was appointed rabbi at Safed; he held this office until 1535, when he moved to Jerusalem, where he lived until 1585. His main work was Kiryat Sefer, a commentary on Rambam's Yad Chazakah. Hamabit, was an halachic responsa with 841 answers. He also wrote Beit Elo-him – a thematic discussion of the elements of prayer. Some say his Hilula is the 25th of Nissan and others say the 22nd.
24th of Nissan כד ניסן - starts Evening of April 14 2023
Rabbi Avrahaom Yehoshua Heschel Weinberg, the Slonimer Rebbe of Tel Aviv (1978)
Rabbi Moshe of Premishel, author of Mateh Moshe (1606)
Rabbi Chaim Menachem Heschel of Zhinkov (1837-1893). Succeeded his father, Rabbi Meshulam Zusya, and expanded the Chassidus throughout Russia, Ukraine, and Serbia. Some of his divrei Torah are found in the sefer Shemuos Tovos.
Rabbi Yosef Friedman of Rimanov (1913)
Rabbi Eliyahu Akiva Rabinowitz of Poltava (1917)
Rabbi Chaim Yitzchak Chaikin, rosh yeshiva of Aixes-les-Bains.(1995)
25th of Nissan כה ניסן - starts Evening of April 15 2023
Rabbi Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, author of Divrei Chaim (1793-1876 [some say he was born 1797]), founder of the Sanzer Chasidim. Born in Tarnograd, Poland. At the age of 18, he was appointed Rav of the small town of Rudnick, where he became a close talmid of Rabbi Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz. In 1830, he became Rav of Sanz (Tzanz), where he stayed for 46 years. He had 15 children, including Rabbi Yechezkel of Shinov. His 3rd son, Rabbi Meir Nosson, died of an epidemic at an early age; his only son was Rabbi Shloime, who would become the 1st Bobover Rebbe. Another scion of Sanz, Rabbi Yekusiel Yehuda Halberstam, the Klausenburger Rav, has erected several towns, yeshivos, and a modern medical center in Israel, as well as yeshivos in New Jersey and New York. The Sanz Chassidim have a yicchus document showing how they are descended via the Maharal of Prague from Rabbi Yosef I of Rome and back to King Dovid. Many great dynasties descend from the Divrei Chaim, most famous among them is Bobov and Klausenberg. Some thinik his Hilula is 10th of Nissan.
Rabbi Nachum Tzvi Goldberg (1922-2006). Born to Rabbi Kalman Avraham Goldberg, Rav of Vasilkov, he moved with the family to America in 1926. As a bachur, he learned with Rabbi Shlomo Heiman for 5 years, then moved to Lakewood to learn with Rabbi Aharon Kotler for 9 years (1943-1952). As a married man, he moved back to the East Side and taught at Yeshivas Rabbeinu Yaakov Yosef (RJJ) for over 20 years. After his father was nifter in 1968, he replaced him as Rabbi of Adas Yisrael. In 1973, he also became administrator of Ezras Torah and made out the checks for all the yungeleit.
26th of Nissan כה ניסן - starts Evening of April 16 2023
Rabbi Nachman Tulchiner ben Rabbi Avraham Halevi (1884) prominent talmid of Rabbi Noson of Breslov
Yehoshua bin Nun. Buried in Timnas Serach in Har Ephraim (1354-1244 BCE)
Rabbi Ephraim Navon, He authored and is also known as the Machaneh Ephraim (1677-1735). He was born in Andrinople to Rabbi Aharon, he married the daughter of Rabbi Yehuda Ergaz. He served as Chief Rabbi of Constantinople.
Rabbi Moshe Halberstam (1932-2006). Born in the town of Tshakawe, Galicia, to Rabbi Yaakov Halberstam, he was a great-great-great grandson of the Divrei Chaim of Sanz. As a youth, he studied at Yeshivas Beis Avraham Slonim under the Nesivos Shalom of Slonim. His rebbi muvhak was Rabbi Shmuel Wosner. He delivered shiurim for decades in a kollel for halacha that he headed. He was a member of the Eida Chareidis Beis Din and rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Tshakawe. In 1997, he was appointed a member of Badatz. He published a collection of responsa called Divrei Moshe. He founded the Vaad HaRabbonim LeInyonei Tzedaka, and was the head of the charity Chibas Yerushalayim Kupas Rebbe eir Baal Hannes. His son-in-law Rabbi Mattisyahu Deitch founded the Yad Ramah Institute under the guidance of the greatest halachic authorities of today, and it deals with solutions for problems in halacha and medicine. Some say his Hilula is 27th Nissan and some say 28th of Nissan.
Rabbi Moshe Teitelbaum, The Satmar Rebbe (2006). Author of Beirach Moshe, he is buried in Kiyas Yoel.
The first name you might have heard of; Dov Gruner. Born in 1912 in Hungary, Dov was part of a Rabbinic and Chassidishe family. He made Aliyah in 1940 by organizing a ship of people escaping Europe, something considered illegal by the British who were running Israel during those dark days. On one hand, the mission was a success as the ship made it safely to Israel but Dov was arrested and spent 6 months in the Atlit prison, near Afula. Immediately after WWII, Dov joined the underground Etzel movement, under the leadership of Menachem Begin. In 1946 he was part of a team that attacked the Ramat Gan police station, which was run by the British. While the operation was a success, as Etzel fighters managed to take large amounts of weapons from this police station and use them in defense of Jews all across Israel, it did have its failures. One fighter, Yisrael Feinerman, was killed in the battle and one was seriously injured, and captured. His name was Dov Gruner. He was shot in the jaw. Dov’s trial was front page news as he refused to recognize the legitimacy of the British judges in Israel. He spoke only one time, in Hebrew – on the first day of his trial. Here is a quick translation and summary of what he said; “You (the British) were given a mandate by the world to correct the horrific wrong that was done to the Jewish nation. You accepted the responsibility to help set up a Jewish state in Palestine but very quickly veered off course in a cruel and brutal way. You closed the door to immigration, causing the deaths of millions of Jews who would have left Europe, had they been allowed to enter Palestine. You enacted laws that benefitted yourselves and put Jews in grave danger and you became an occupying army in our G-d given land. Therefore, it became our obligation to rise up and fight against you to drive you out of our land. It is the Jewish nation – as mandated by G-d Himself – who will be the only ones running this country and anyone who attempts to sever that bond will pay the ultimate price.” Dov then concluded with the words; “I will not speak any more at this illegal trial. I understand that I face a possible death sentence but I will not defend myself before those who have no right to judge me.” He then sat down and did not utter another word, even after the death sentence was handed down. 48 hours before he was hanged, Dov Gruner wrote a letter to Menachem Begin thanking him for his leadership and guidance and saying how proud he was to be a fighter in his army. He concluded with these words, which send chills down my spine every time I read them; “I write these words just 48 hours before I will be hanged and at a time like this, a man does not lie. I swear to you that if I had the chance to start all over, I would have picked the exact same path…” The other 3 men who were hanged were younger than Dov. Yechiel Dresner, originally from Poland, was 25. Eliezer Kashani, born in Israel to parents who made Aliyah from Persia, was 24 and Mordechai Alkachi, born in Israel to parents who made Aliyah from Turkey, was just 22. These 3 men were caught in an operation called “The night of the flogging” when Etzel members caught and flogged British officers after they had done the same to Jews. These 3 fighters followed the lead of Dov Gruner and also did not participate in their trial. At the end of the trial, before their death sentence was announced, Yechiel Dresner, who was known as a Talmudic genius in Poland, spoke briefly; “Neither my friends, nor I, recognize your authority to judge us. You are an occupying army and we are prisoners of war. Since when are prisoners of war put on trial? Allow me to say just one thing about what we did. When British officers flogged Jewish men all across Israel, you did it to shame and humiliate our nation, but we are not like the Jews of the exile. We do not allow these things to happen. We do not enjoy flogging the British but felt the need to do it so that you understand we are a nation that demands respect and honor. We will not allow ourselves to be humiliated any longer! If you want to flog people, do it in your own country and to your sons, not ours! Take yourselves and your whips and leave our country at once. Only then will there be peace for you and us.” These 4 Etzel fighters were held in the infamous Acco prison and on the night of the 26th of Nissan, at 4am, they were taken out of their cells and hanged, one at a time. As they walked to the gallows they sang “Ha’Tikva”. Gruner was first, yet before the hanging, he blessed the other 3 men. I am not sure who was next but by 5:30am it was all over. The four had been hanged. They are buried next to each other in the same section as 20 Jews who were brutally murdered during the 1929 riots. Most Jews have heard of the 1929 massacre in Hebron but did you know about the 20 who were murdered, and 80 who were seriously wounded, in Tzfat also in 1929? These 4 holy Etzel fighters, plus 3 more who were hanged just 4 months later, are all resting in one section in the old Tzfat cemetery, just a short walk from the Arizal!!! What pained me greatly is that on the day I visited the graves – 70 years exactly to the day of their hanging – there should have been thousands of people there. Yet, sadly, it was just my wife, my daughter and I who went to this holy place. While there, a Haredi fellow saw us davening and asked which Tzaddik was buried there? I told him their names but he never heard of them before. I then told him their story and he admitted that they were true Tzaddikim. He went to their graves, said some Tehillim and put a stone on each one.27th of Nissan כו ניסן - starts Evening of April 17 2023
Rabbi Yeshayahu Asher Zelig Margulies, famous Yerushalayimer mekubal, author of Kumi V'Roni
Rabbi Sholom Moshe Ungar, Nitra Rav of Mount Kisco, Holocaust rescue worker in Slovakia together with his brother-in-law Rabbi Michael Ber Weissmandl.
Rabbi Moshe ben Rabbi Yaakov Halberstam, moreh tzedek of Badatz Eida Hachareidis. See Above.
Rabbi Yehuda Kahana, the Kuntres Hasefeikos (1819)
Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Greenwald, the Tzelemer Rav (1980). He arrived in America in 1939, just before the onset of WW2, after his Beis Medrash was destroyed on Kristellnacht, and he re-established his Beis Medrash in Williamsburg. He also established one of the first Chasidishe yeshivos in America, Arugas Habosem, named after his father, the Chuster Rav, who was known as the Argas Habosem.
Rabbi Shalom Moshe Ungar, son of Rabbi Shmuel David Ungar, a descendent of the Abarbanel (who was himself a descendent of David Hamelech). (1916-2003) Born in Krumpach, Slovakia. In 1941, he married the daughter of Rabbi Simcha Greenberg, an ardent Munkatcher chasid. He supported by his father-in-law, Rabbi Shalom Moshe learned bechavrusa with his brother-in-law, Rabbi Meir Greenberg, later to become the Kezmarker Rav of New York. Rabbi Shalom Moshe worked with another brother-in-law, Rabbi Michael Ber Weissmandl, in rescue operations during the War. Deportations from Nitra that began in Elul of 1944. The Nitra yeshiva (of 200 bachurim) was the last yeshiva in Europe to remain open and was liquidated on the 17th of Elul. Hiding in the forest for the remainder of the War, Rabbi Shalom Moshe lost his father, his wife, and his three children. In 1947, he was officially named Rav of Nitra. In 1948, the Nitra kehilla was established in Mount Kisco, Westchester County, NY.
Rabbi Avigdor Miller. (1908-2001). Born in Baltimore, Rabbi Avigdor attended public school like all the other Jewish boys from religious homes, and he studied Torah with his grandfather and other local rabbonim. At the age of 14, he left to study at Yeshivas Rabbenu Yitzchak Elchonon, which at the time was the only Jewish high school offering high-level Jewish studies in the U.S. It was there that he met future leaders of US Jewery, such as Rabbi Nosson Wachtfogel, Rabbi Yehuda Davis and Rabbi Mordechai Gifter. They met met secretly in Rabbi Miller's dormitory room in to hear a shiur in Mesillas Yeshorim by Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Herman. In 1932, he followed Rabbi Aizik Sher to Slobodka, where he spent 6 years learning. In 1935 he married his life partner for 64 years, Ethel Lessin. The first rabbinical position which Rabbi Avigdor accepted was in Chelsea, Massachusetts. In 1945, Rabbi Miller was offered a job as mashgiach of Chaim Berlin by Rabbi Hutner, a position he kept for 19 years. He was then invited by the Young Israel of Rugby to be their unofficial rav. The shul, located at East 49 street in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn, a position which became official in 1946-47. He began writing his first book, Rejoice O Youth, in 1963. In 1964, when Yeshivas Chaim Berlin moved to Far Rockaway, Rabbi Miller decided to resign and devote himself full time to his congregation and his writing. He finished writing the book in 1965.
28th of Nissan כח ניסן - starts Evening of April 18 2023
This is [ YOM HASHOAH] Holocaust Memorial Day. [The year of 5781 the 28th of Nissan fell on a Shabbat and the observense was moved to the previous Thursday.]
Rabbi Shem Klingberg HY"D ben Rabbi Avraham Mordechai, the Zaloshytzer Rebbe of Krakow,from the Komarna dynasty. Killed in a concentration camp. One of the greatest Mekubalim of his time. Wrote sefer Ohelei Shem. (1943).
Rabbi Shabsai Sheftl Horowitz II (1590-1660). The son of the Shelah Hakodesh, Rabbi Yeshayah. Rabbi Shabsai studied under his father and under Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Lunshitz. After his father left for Eretz Yisrael, he became dayan of Prague. He then became Rabbi of Fuerth, then Frankfurt am Main, then Posen, where he founded a yeshiva. In 1654, he was appointed Rabbi of Vienna. In 1649, he published his father’s work, Shnei Luchos HaBris, along with his own extensive introduction, Vavei HaAmudim.
Rabbi Yichiyeh ben Yosef Tzalach, the Maharitz, founder of the Baladi community of Yemen (1713-1805). He is described as “without question,….the greatest rabbi and exponent of Jewish law ever to have been produced by Yemen.” By 1795, he served on the Beis Din of Sanaa.
Rabbi Yehoshua of Ostrova, son of Rabbi Shlomo Leib of Lentcha, and author of Toldos Adam (1819-1873).He is a Talmid of Rabbi Moshe of Kobrin (whose yartzeit is tomorrow)
Rabbi Yosef Yozke (or Yozpe) Rosenberg of Zalkava, author of Yad Yosef (on the first three perakim of Bava Metzia) and Revid Hazahav (1905).
Rabbi Yehoshua Pinchas Bombach of Ushpetzin (or Oswiecim) (1921). According to a frequently told story of the brothers Reb Elimelech and reb Zusia, this city would later be called Auschwitz.
Rabbi Yissacher Leib Weinberg of Slonim (1928).
Rabbi Aryeh Shapira, rosh yeshivas Volozhin [also known as Valozhyn, Volozhy'N, Wolozyn, Volozine, and Wolozine; note:
Rabbi Aharon Hakohen Rosenfeld, the Pinsk-Karlin Rebbe (1927-2001). For many years, he served as a maggid shiur in the Eitz Chaim yeshiva, and then in the Belz yeshiva in Eretz Yisrael and Belgium. When he was only thirty his wife was niftar, leaving him with five small children. He later married the widow of Rabbi Chaim Halberstam, who raised the orphans and brought them to marriage. On Pesach 1991, at the yahrtzeit of his grandfather, Rabbi Aharon of Karlin, he was appointed Admor of Pinsk-Karlin.
29th of Nissan כט ניסן - starts Evening of April 19 2023
Rabbi Moshe Pallier of Kobrin (1784-1858). A close follower of the Rebbe, Rabbi Mordechai of Lechovitch and his son, Rabbi Noach, he became the first Rebbe of the Kobrin dynasty in 1833. His talmid muvhok was R' Avrohom of Slonim. His teachings are collected in Imros Taharos.
Rabbi Mordechai Shalom Yosef Friedman, Sadigerer Rebbe, the Keneses Mordechai (1897-1979) The son of Rabbi Aharon of Sadiger, and grandson of the 2nd Sadigerer Rebbe, Rabbi Yisrael.
30th of Nissan ל ניסן is Rosh Chodesh Aleph Iyar- starts Evening of April 20 2023
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), was sometimes referred to as Rabbi Chaim Vital Calabrese, since his family was from Calabria, Italy. He was born in Tzefas in Israel, two years after his family moved there from Italy. Rabbi Chaim’s father, Rabbi Yosef, was famed as an expert scribe whose tefillin were much sought after, having been written in holiness and purity, and with special kabbalistic intentions. Rabbi Chaim studied the revealed aspects of Torah under Rabbi Moshe Alshich, one of the foremost rabbis in Safed, then studied Kabbala under the leading kabbalistic luminary in the world at that time, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (Ramak). In the year 5330 (1570 CE) Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (the Ari) came to Safed from Egypt. After the passing of his teacher, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Chaim became attached to the Ari, quickly becoming his chief disciple. He describes his initiation into the Ari’s new approach to Kabbala as follows:
“When I [first] came to my teacher of saintly memory [the Ari] to study this wisdom under him, he was about to leave for Tiberius. He took me with him. We boarded a boat, and as we were sailing [across the Kinneret] at a point opposite the arches of the Old Synagogue of Tiberius, my teacher dipped a cup into the water and gave it to me to drink. He told me that now I would be able to grasp this wisdom [the teachings of Kabbala] for I had just drunk water from the well of Miriam [which is buried in the Kinneret]. From that time on I began to enter the depth of this wisdom.” Within a year of his initiation into the Ari’s teachings, Rabbi Chaim had become famous throughout Israel and the Diaspora as one of the great kabbalists. When the Ari passed on in 5332 (1572 CE), a mere two years after Rabbi Chaim had begun studying with him, Rabbi Chaim was almost universally regarded as his successor. He began teaching the kabbalistic insights he had received from his master to his many disciples and thus he became the revered leader of a significant group of kabbalists. He also gained a reputation as a miracle worker, a healer and a master of practical kabbala. He was able to discern the nature and history of the souls of men. In 5347 (1587 CE) Rabbi Chaim was appointed a leading judge in the rabbinical courts in Jerusalem. He remained in Jerusalem for several years and then returned to Safed. He moved to Damascus in 5354 (1594) where he passed away in 5380 (1620 CE) at the age of seventy-seven. 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)
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