History events
1305 — (4st of Av, 5065) Today, Rashba, ….. who was opposed to the philosophic-rationalistic approach to Judaism often associated with Rambam, and who was part of the beit din (rabbinical court) in Barcelona that forbade men younger than 25 from studying secular philosophy or the natural sciences (although an exception was made for those who studied medicine) wrote: ‘In that city [Barcelona] are those who write iniquity about the Torah and if there would be a heretic writing books, they should be burnt as if they were the book of sorcerers.’” Rashba is the Hebrew acronym for the title and name of Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderet, a medieval rabbi, halakhist, and Talmudist. The Rashba was born in Barcelona, Spain, in 1235. He became a successful banker and leader of Spanish Jewry of his time. He served as rabbi of the Main Synagogue of Barcelona for 50 years. His teachers were the Ramban and Rabbeinu Yona. Among his numerous students were the Ritva, Rabbeinu Behaye, and the Ra’ah. The Rashba was considered an outstanding rabbinic authority, and more than 3,000 of his responsa are known to be extant. Questions were addressed to him from Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, and even from Asia Minor. His responsa, which cover the entire gamut of Jewish life, are concise and widely quoted by halakhic authorities. The Rashba’s responsa also illustrate his opposition to messianism and prophetic pretensions as a general phenomenon, with examples against Nissim ben Abraham and Abraham Abulafia. The Rashba defended Rambam (Maimonides) during contemporary debates over his works, and he authorized the translation of Rambam’s commentary on the Mishnah from Arabic to Hebrew.” He passed away in 1310
1555 — (8st of Av, 5315) The Jews of Rome were forced into a ghetto by order of Pope Paul IV
1806 — (11st of Av, 5566) First sitting of the Assembly of Notable
1918 — (17st of Av, 5678) It was reported today that “the Jewish colony of Merchavya in Northern Palestine had been attacked by a band of robbers, one of whom was captured and handed over to the Turkish district commandant who released him the next day
1946 — (27th of Tammuz, 5706) The Czech government, through the influence of its foreign Minister Jan Masaryk, opened its borders to Jews wishing to flee Poland. Within 3 months over 70,000 Jews using transportation paid by the Czechs would use this route on the way to Eretz-Israel.
1948 — (19th of Tammuz, 5708) The Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums (IDAM) of the Ministry of Education which “took over the functions of the Department of Antiquities of the British Mandate in Israel” was founded today with archaeologist Shmuel Yeivin serving as director
1948 — (19th of Tammuz, 5708) Operation Shoter came to a successful conclusion as the three villages south of Haifa in an area called the “Little Triangle” surrendered to Israeli forces
People
1719 — (21th of Av, 5479) Rabbi Samuel Filorintin, author of Olat Shemel passed away today
1929 — (18th of Tammuz, 5689) Birthdate of Netiva Ben Yehuda an Israeli author, editor, and former soldier of the Palmach” whose “writings, including a dictionary of Hebrew slang (written with Dan Ben Amotz) and several books on pre-state Israeli music, made her one of the aforementioned fighting force’s most famous members
2006 — (1st of Av, 5766) In an act of unbelievable self-less courage, Major Roi Klie threw himself on a live grenade, sacrificing his life so that his comrades would live. The action took place on the second day of the Battle of Bint Jbeil
2010 — (15th of Av, 5770) Six members of the IDF — Lt. Col (Res.) Avner Goldman, 48, from Modi’in; Lt. Col. Daniel Shipenbauer, 43, from Moshav Kidron; Maj. Yahel Keshet, 33, from Hatzerim; Maj. Lior Shai, 28, from Tel-Nof; Lt. Nir Lakrif, 25, from Tel- Nof; and Staff Sergeant Oren Cohen, 24, from Rehovot – were killed when their helicopter crashed in Roumania