27 Teves
- Yahrzeit of Rav Shamshon Refael Hirsch (d. 1889) champion of German Orthodox Judaism, and author of classic commentary on Chumash as well as important works on Jewish thought.
- Megillas Taanis says that after King Yannai killed out almost the entire rabbinate his brother-in-law, Shimon ben Shatach debated the Sadducees in the presence of the king. On this day, they capitulated to his wisdom.
28 Teves
- Yahrzeit of Rav Shmuel Barenbaum (d. 2007), Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Mir in New York. I was privileged to meet him and speak to him on a number of occasions. He was a throwback to an earlier generation and truly dedicated his life to Torah, never allowing himself to get pulled into politics. An extremely friendly man he always had a smile on his face.
29 Teves
- Purim Burghul, observed on the 29th of Teves by the Jews of Tripoli, celebrated the city’s release from the reign of terror of Ali el-Jezairli, who was also known as Ali Burghul.
1 Shevat
- Some have the custom to eat fruit on this day as it is the New Year for the trees according to the opinion of Bais Shammai
- Yahrzeit of Rav Moshe Yechiel Halevi Epstein (d. 1971), Chassidic rabbi who lived much of his life in New York. Author of B'Er Moshe an important Chassidic commentary on Chumash, as well as Aish Dos which unfortunately has been out of print for many decades.
2 Shevat
- Yahrzeit of Rav Ephraim Greenblatt of Memphis (d. 2014) best known as the author of numerous volumes of response entitled Rivivos Ephraim.
3 Shevat
- There is a tradition that teaches that: ו' יהיה ג' שבט שלג גדול יהיה וקר (the first letters of each word spell out ויגשforward and backward). That when the third of Shevat is on a Friday there will be a lot of snow and cold that year.
- Yahrzeit of Rav Yaakov Yeshaya Blau (d. 2013). He was a banker who was a great Halachic authority. He wrote many books on Halacha and was letter a member of the Bais Din of the Eida HaCharedis. My favorite amongst his works is Bris Yehudah on the halachos of interest which deals with many modern day issues.
4 Shevat
- Yahrzeit of Rav Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg (d. 1966), best known as the author of Seridei Aish and as principal of Hildessiemer's Seminary in pre-war Berlin. A very original thinker whose personal life was marred by tragedy.
- Yahrzeit of Rav Yisroel Abuchazeira, known as the Baba Sali (d. 1984) a Moroccan kabbalist.
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