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The Semichas Chaver Program is taking the Torah world by storm with ongoing weekly shiurim for men in 80 different locations. Currently Nishmas Yisroel is privileged to host the only one in London. 

In depth halacha shiurim going through key sections of Gemara and Rishonim all the way through Shulchan Aruch, Mishna Brura and contemporary Poskim. Shiur is each Thursday night 8.30-9.45 at Nishmas Yisroel and on Zoom, given by Rabbi Dovid Tugendhaft . 

Each participant gets sent a weekly summary of the material learned plus fascinating and practical Q&As on the topic to be printed out for the Shabbos table to engage the rest of the family. Every 6 months there is a test and those who pass get the coveted Semichas Chaver certificate with their name on signed by Rav Avigdor Nevenzal, Rav Shlomo Amar and Rav Hershel Shechter. 

Topics this zman deals with Hilchos Birkos Haehenin. There is no charge for the programme. To sign up and join the group send a message to 07971460469.

Change the way you learn halacha. Understand it. Enjoy it. Review it. Know it!

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Please send a message to mail@bhny.co.uk to request membership.

24 Tishrei - R' Yaakov Yosef ben R' Tzvi HaKohen of Polnoye (1783), foremost disciple of the Baal Shem Tov, author of Toldos Yaakov Yosef, the first chasidish sefer
24 Tishrei - R' Eliyahu Guttmacher, Av Beis Din Greiditz (1874)

24 Tishrei - R' Elchonon Sorotzkin, chairman of Vaad Hayeshivos
24 Tishrei - R' Chaim Zanvil ben R' Moshe Abramowitz, the Ribnitzer Rebbe (1995) Great tzadik and baal mofes, he was a talmid of the Stefanester Rebbe. He lived in communist USSR until 1970, then moved to Eretz Yisroel and then settled in the USA. He lived the last years of his life in Monsey, NY. Buried in the Vizhnitzer Cemetery in Monsey, NY.
24 Tishrei - R' Avrohom Yehuda Leib ben R' Pinchos Zelig HaKohen Schwartz, the Kol Aryeh (1883)
 

25 Tishrei - R' Yom Tov Lipman Heilprin, author of Kedushas Yom Tov (1794)
25 Tishrei - R' Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, the Kedushas Levi (1809) Son of R' Meir. He is traditionally mentioned with his mothers name, Sarah Sosha.
25 Tishrei - R' Moshe ben R' Shmuel Sofer, the Chasam Sofer (1839)
25 Tishrei - R' Dovid Mattisyahu Rabinowitz, Biala Rebbe- Bnei Brak (1997) son of the Chelkas yehoshu, R' Yechiel Yehoshua of Biala
 

26 Tishrei - Rav Aharon of Zhitomer, author of Toldos Aharon (1816). A talmid muvhak of Rav Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev

26 Tishrei - R' Asher ben R' Ahron "HaGadol", the Stoliner Rebbe (1828)

26 Tishrei - Rav Yehuda Yudel Rosenberg (1859-1935). Born in Skaraschev, a small town near Radomsko, Poland. He served as Rav in Tarlow, and age 25, he was appointed Av Beis Din. In 1903, he published Yados Nedarim

27 Tishrei - Rabbeinu Yitzchak Hazaken bar Shmuel, "the Ri", a Baal Tosfos and grandson of Rashi who headed yeshivos in Ramerupt and Dampierre (1200)
27 Tishrei - R' Nosson Tzvi ben R' Yerachmiel Moshe Kenig (1997), Rosh Kollel Breslov in Bnei Brak (I think the actual date is 17 Tishrei)
 

28 Tishrei - R' Ephraim Zalman Shorr, author of Tevuos Shor (1732)
28 Tishrei - R' Lieber "HaGadol" of Berdichev His real name was R' Eliezer ben R' Avrohom (1770) one of the talmidim of the Baal Shem Tov. He was a great-grandson (ben acher ben) of R' Shimshon Ostropolier and was also a descendent of the Megaleh Amukos
28 Tishrei - R' Avrohom ben R' Avrohom Eiger, the Lubliner Rebbe (2002) Named after his father who died a few months before his birth

29 Tishrei - Shimon Hatzaddik of the Anshei Knesses Hagedola (c. 350-300 B.C.E.)
29 Tishrei - R' Menachem Mendel ben R' Chaim Hager of Vizhnitz, the Tzemach Tzaddik (1885)
29 Tishrei - R' Shmuel Tzvi ben R' Yechiel Danziger of Alexander, the Tiferes Shmuel (1923)
29 Tishrei - Don Yitzchok Abarbanel (1519)
29 Tishrei - R' Meir beb R' Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev

30 Tishrei - R' Tzvi Hirsch Chayos - Maharatz Chiyos (1856)

30 Tishrei - R’ Avraham Dovid Wahrman of Butchatch (1840) Author of Daas Kedoshim and Eishel Avrohom

30 Tishrei –R’ Yitzchak Meir Hazenpertz (1916), author of Ohr Yakar, a commentary on the Ohr Hachaim al HaTorah.

30 Tishrei –Rav Chaim Hager of Kossov (1942)

1 Cheshvan - R' Yosef Engel, author of many seforim including Asvin D'Oraysa, Beis Ha'Otzar, Lekach Tov and Gilyonei HaShas (1910)
1 Cheshvan - R' Yisroel ben R' Yehoshua Shapira, the Bluzhover Rebbe (1990)

1 Cheshvan – R’ Shmuel ben Moshe Di Modena, the Maharashdam (1589) Author of Ben Shmuel, Rebbe of the Ibn Ezra

1 Cheshvan - Rav Yissachar Dov Ber, the Velbrozher Rebbe, author of Avodas Yissachar (1877)

1 Cheshvan - Rav Akiva Meir, Velbrozher Rebbe, the Divrei Haam, son of the Avodas Yissachar (1918)

1 Cheshvan – R’ Shlomo Zalmen Unsdorfer, the “Sifsei Shlomo”  Pressburger Maggid hy”d (1944 – Auschwitz)

2 Cheshvan - R' Boruch ben R' Yisroel Hager (1963), the Seret-Vizhnitz Rebbe, the Makor Boruch
2 Cheshvan - R' Elazar Simcha Wasserman (1996), son of R' Elchonon Bunim Wasserman
2 Cheshvan - R' Yosef ben R' Mordechai Dovid of Dombrovna (1866) Talmid of the Chozeh of Lublin, R' Chaim Meir Yechiel of Moglenitza and Reb Yisachor Dov of Radoshitz.
 

3 Cheshvan - R' Yitzchok ben R' Chaim of Volozhin (1848) (I also have the date as 26 Iyar, not sure which is correct)
3 Cheshvan - R' Yosef Zundel ben R' Binyamin Beinush of Salant (1865) Talmid of R' Chaim of Volozhin and R' Akiva Eiger. Rebbe of R' Yisroel Salanter. After moving to Eretz Yisroel he became one of the leaders of the Jews in Yerusholayim
3 Cheshvan - R' Mordechai Miller, principal of Gateshead Seminary (2000)
3 Cheshvan - R' Yisroel Friedman of Rizhin (1850) ben R' Sholom Shachna of Probisht
3 Cheshvan - R' Eliezer of Dzikov (1860) ben R' Naftali Tzvi of Ropshitz

3 Cheshvan – Rishon Leztion – Harav Ovadia Yosef. Posek Hador of the Sephardi Community. Sefardi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1973 to 1983, and the founder and long-time spiritual leader of the Shas Party. Mechaber of Yabia Omer and Yechaveh Da'at amongst others. (2013)
 

4 Cheshvan – R’ Yehuda ben Yeshayahu Modrin (1894) of Sighet. Author of Pri HoEitz and Zichron Shmuel, talmid of the Chasam Sofer and the Yismach Moshe.

4 Cheshvan - R' Klonimus Kalman (sometimes written Kalmish) Shapiro HY"D, Piazetsna Rebbe (1943), author of Chovas Hatalmidim, Aish Kodesh, Derech Hamelech and others. He was the son of R' Elimelech of Grodzensk. He was a descendant of the Noam Elimelech, Koznitzer Magid, Meor Veshemesh and many other great tzadikim.
4 Cheshvan - R' Aryeh Zev Gurwitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Gateshead (1983)
 

5 Cheshvan - R' Meir Heilprin, Rov and Av Beis Din of Lublin (1722)
5 Cheshvan - R' Avrohom Yosef Rice (1862), pioneer of the Baltimore Jewish community and founder of one of the first Hebrew schools in the U.S.
5 Cheshvan - R' Avrohom Halevi Zions, Rosh Yeshiva of Knesses Yisroel in New York
 

6 Cheshvan – R’ Yehuda Hachossid, founder of the Churva Shul in the Old City of Jerusalem (1700)

6 Cheshvan - R' Shlomo Dovid Yehoshua Weinberg of Slonim HY"D(1944) son of R' Avrohom, the Bais Avrohom

7 Cheshvan - R' Yehuda Meir ben R' Yaakov Shimshon Shapiro (1933), Rosh Yeshiva Chachmei Lublin and innovator of Daf Yomi. He was a descendant of R' Pinchos of Koritz and a Chosid of R' Yisroel of Chortkov, who told him to spread the idea of Daf Yomi.

7 Cheshvan - Rav Yehuda Tzvi Eichenstein of Rozdol, author of Daas Kedoshim (1791-1847). The son of Rav Moshe of Sambor and son-in-law and successor of Rav Zvi Hirsch of Zidachov

7 Cheshvan - Rav Nosson Dovid Rabinowitz of Shidlova (1865)

7 Cheshvan - Rav Yerachmiel Tzvi of Biala-Shedlitz (1878 [or 1877]-1905), son of the Divrei Binah (Rav Yitzchak Yaakov Rabinowitz of Biala). His son was Rav Yechiel Yehoshua Rabinowitz, born in 1900. The Biala-Shedlitz Rebbe was niftar only five years later.

7 Cheshvan - Rav Yisrael Weltz, Rav of Budapest and author of Teshuvos Divrei Yisrael (1973). In 1927, he published a compendium of halachos and customs called Chok LeYisrael on Shabbos Erev Pesach. His father-in-law was Rav Chaim Ephraim Baloity (b. 1877), who was a student of the Shevet Sofer and whose many responsa were printed in the rabbinical journals Tel Talpiot and ve-Yelaket Yosef.

7 Cheshvan - Rav Avraham Meisels, mechutan of the Rema (1599)

7 Cheshvan - Rav Shimon Deutsch of Dobromil, author of Nachalas Shimon (1801)

7 Cheshvan - Rav Tzvi Hersh of Tomoshov, a talmid of Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk (1870)

7 Cheshvan - Rav Dovid of Sevorn (1914)

8 Cheshvan - Rabbeinu Yonah ben Avrohom of Gerondi (1263) Author of Shaarei Tshuvah
8 Cheshvan - R' Nochum "Hachassid" of Horodno, Lithuania (1879) Rebbe of the Chofetz Chaim
8 Cheshvan - R' Yaakov Rosenheim, a founder of Agudas Yisrael (1965)
8 Cheshvan - R' Moshe Yosef Hakohen Tawil (1977), From the great Rabbonim of Aram Soba
 

9 Cheshvan - Rabeinu Asher ben Yechiel, the Rosh (1327)
9 Cheshvan - R' Yosef Leib Bloch, the Telzer Rosh Yeshiva (1928)
9 Cheshvan - R' Shimon Yehuda ben R' Yitzchok Shmuel HaKohen Shkop of Grodno (1940)
9 Cheshvan - R' Yehuda ben R' Yitzchok Horowitz of Stutchin (1981) Descendant, ben acher ben, from R' Naftali of Ropshitz.
9 Cheshvan - R' David Laniado, of Aram Soba, author of Likedoshim Asher Ba'aretz
 

10 Cheshvan - Gad ben Yaakov Avinu (1563-1438 B.C.E.)
10 Cheshvan - R' Avraham Oppenheim, author of Aishel Avraham on Shulchan Oruch (1786)
10 Cheshvan - R' Dov Berish Weidenfeld, the Tchebiner Rov (1965) One of the Gedolei Hador of his time in Eretz Yisroel
 

11 Cheshvan - Mesushelach ben Chanoch, died at age 969. (2103 B.C.E.)
11 Cheshvan - Rachel Imeinu (1552 B.C.E.) (according to the GRA, she was 36 years old, according to Sefer Hayashar, 45)
11 Cheshvan - Binyamin ben Yaakov Avinu (1441 B.C.E.)
11 Cheshvan - R' Menachem Nachum ben R' Tzvi Twersky, of Chernobyl, Me'or Einayim (1797)

11 Cheshvan - R' Avraham ben R' Yitzchok Matisyahu Weinberg, First Slonimer Rebbe, author of Yesod HaAvoda (1883) He was a talmid of R' Noach and R' Michel of Lechovitch and R' Moshe of Kobrin.
11 Cheshvan - R' Yehuda Leib Chasman, mashgiach of Yeshivas Chevron (1936)
11 Cheshvan - R' Pesach Pruskin, Rov and Rosh Yeshivah in Kobrin (1940) He was one of the Rabbeim of R' Moshe Feinstein.
11 Cheshvan – Reb Nosson Zvi Finkel, Legendary Mirrer Rosh HaYeshiva (2011)
 

12 Cheshvan - R' Zev Wolf Kitzis (1788) Talmid and Baal Tokea of the Baal Shem Tov, who he is buried immediately next to.
12 Cheshvan - R' Nochum of Shadik, Great Rov in Yerushalayim (1866)
12 Cheshvan - R' Yehuda ben R' Shaul Tzadka, Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef (1992)
 

13 Cheshvan - R' Yehuda HaChosid, author of Sefer Chasidim (1217) son of ben R' Shmuel HaChosid (There are many different dates given as his yartzeit and I don't know which one is accurate)

13 Cheshvan - Rav Baruch of Kosov (1782). Disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch and of Rav Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk; author of Yesod HaEmunah and Amud HaAvoda.

13 Cheshvan - Rav Haim Nahum Effendi (1872-1960). Served as Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Egypt (1925-1960).
13 Cheshvan - R' Tzvi Shraga Grossbard, head of Chinuch Atzmai in Eretz Yisrael (1993)
 

14 Cheshvan - R' Avrohom Elimelech Perlow of Karlin HY"D (1942) ben R' Yisroel, killed al kiddush Hashem.
 

15 Cheshvan - Mattisyahu Kohen Godol (166 B.C.E.)
15 Cheshvan - R' Leib "Baal Yisurim" (1836), from the greatest talmidim of the Baal HaTanyain, Buried in Tzefas. Before he died he said that anyone that has a tzarah should come to daven at his kever and he will be helped.
15 Cheshvan - R' Avraham Yeshaya ben R' Shmaryahu Yosef Karelitz, the Chazon Ish (1953) Desended from the Maharal, Baal HaMaor and Baal HaPardes. He was one of the greatest and most respected Gedolim of his time.
 

16 Cheshvan - R' Amram Chasida, the Amora
16 Cheshvan - R' Chaim Pinto (1937), great Rov on Morocco
16 Cheshvan - R' Elazar Menachem Man ben R' Azriel Shach, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh (2001) See Rav Shach's Will.

16 Cheshvan – Reb Shlomo Carlebach. Most influential Jewish singer and composer of the 20^th century. (1994)
 

17 Cheshvan - R' Reuven Katz, author of Degel Reuven, rosh yeshiva in Petach Tikva (1964)
17 Cheshvan - R' Menachem Mendel of Kosov (1825), Ahavas Sholom, son of R' Yaakov Koppel "Chosid"
17 Cheshvan - R' Binyomin Zev ben R' Nechemia Cheshin (1988) great mekubal involved in the Kiruv movement. He was also one of the Ziknei Breslov of his time. He descended from the talmidim of the Vilna Gaon. He has several well known sons.
 

18 Cheshvan - R' Yaakov Friedman of Husyatin (1952) ben R' Yitzchok of Buhosh. He was a son-in-law of R' Yisroel of Husyatin
18 Cheshvan - R' Rafael Baruch Toledano, author of Sephardic Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (1970)

18 Cheshvan - R' Nochum Partzovitz, Rosh Yeshivas Mir (1986)

18 Cheshvan – The 11 Kedoshim of Pittsburgh, murdered at the Tree of Life Congregration during shul on Shabbos morning for being Jewish.

19 Cheshvan - Hevel
19 Cheshvan - R' Pinchas Epstein, Rosh Av Beis Din of the Eida Hachareidis (1970)
19 Cheshvan - R' Avrohom Tzvi Hirsch Kamai, HY"D, rosh yeshiva and Rov of Mir (1941)
 

20 Cheshvan - R' Avrohom bar Yitzchak, Raavad II, author of Sefer Eshkol (1198)
20 Cheshvan - R' Sholom ben R' Yaakov Yosef HaLevi Rosenfeld of Kaminka (1851) talmid of R' Shlomo Kluger and R' Naftali of Ropshitz
20 Cheshvan - R' Moshe Nosson Nota ben R' Menachem Mendel Lemberger, the Makover Rov (1982) Talmid of R' Sholom Eliezer Halberstam of Ratzfort
20 Cheshvan - R' Mordechai Sharabi (1983), descendant of the Rashash, one of the greatest mekubalim of his time and rosh yeshiva Nahar Sholom, buried on Har Hamenuchos
 

21 Cheshvan - R' Dovid ben R' Zimra, the Radvaz, Rebbe of the Arizal(1573)
21 Cheshvan - R' Avrohom Azulai, the Chessed L'Avraham (1643) great-great-grandfather of the Chida
21 Cheshvan - R' Betzalel ben R' Avrohom Stern (1988), great posek in Australia and author of Betzel Hachochma, brother of the R' Moshe Stern, the Debreciner Rov
21 Cheshvan – R' Yichya Halevi Alshich, head of Teimani community (1996)
 

22 Cheshvan - R' Ezriel Ben R' Dov Halevi Horowitz of Lublin, the "Eizener Kop"
22 Cheshvan - R' Dovid Shlomo ben R' Yeruchim Eibishutz (1813) author of many seforim including Levushei Serad, Arvei Nachal and Neos Deshe. Talmid of talmidim of the Mezritcher Magid. Settled in Eretz Yisroel
22 Cheshvan - R' Yissachor Dov ben R' Yehoshua Rokeach of Belz (1926) Third Belzer Rebbe.
 

23 Cheshvan - R' Aharon Katzenellenbogen of Brisk, author of Minchas Aharon (1854)
23 Cheshvan - R' Moshe ben R' Yaakov Leib Midner (1929), a talmid of the Slonimer Rebbes. He was known as a Baal Ruach HaKodesh. R' Elchonon Wasserman would stand up for him out of respect. He put together the sefer Toras Avos, which contains Torah from the Rebbes of Lechovitch, Kobrin and Slonim.
23 Cheshvan - R' Yehosef ben R' Tzvi Rottenberg of Koson (1911) son-in-law of R' Meshulam Feivish of Tosh
23 Cheshvan - R' Tzvi Aryeh (Hirsh Leib) ben R' Ahron Betzalel Lippel (1979) One of the Ziknei Breslov. While living in Uman, he was part of a group that would rise nightly at midnight, immerse in the river (including when they needed to break the ice to do so ) and then spend hours in the field in hisbodedus. He was allowed to leave Ukraine and moved to Eretz Yosroel in 1934. He was know for his intense prayer and kedusha, but despite this he was able to speak with anyone and understood everything.

23 Cheshvan – Rabbi Mordche Rabin – Rov of ‘Ohel Yisroel’ Skoler Beis Hamedrash Hendon, London.
 

24 Cheshvan - Binyamin ben Yaakov Avinu (according to many) (1554 B.C.E.)
24 Cheshvan - R' Refoel HaKohen of Hamburg ben R' Yekusiel Ziskind (1803) Learned by the Shaagas Aryeh and Vilna Gaon. He was a Rebbe of R' Chaim of Volozhin. He became close with the Mezritcher Magid. Wrote Toras Yekusiel. (some have the date as 26 Cheshvan)
24 Cheshvan - R' Raphael Dovid ben R’ Eliezer Auerbach (1987), Rosh Yeshiva of Shaar Shomayim
24 Cheshvan - R' Gedalya Moshe Goldman, Zvhiler Rebbe (1950) Son of the famous Reb Shlomka (Shlomo) of Zvhil
24 Cheshvan - R' Hillel Moshe ben R' Tzvi Hirsch Mashel (1907) talmid of the Kotzker and Chidushei HaRim. Settled in Eretz Yisroel

24 Cheshvan – Yahrtzeit of  the 6 Kedoshim of the Har Nof Massacre (2014) who were killed whilst davening at the Kehilat Bnei Torah synagogue in Har Nof.
 

25 Cheshvan - R' Avrohom ben R' Shlomo Zalman, brother of the Vilna Gaon, author of Ma'alos Hatorah (1807)
25 Cheshvan - R' Naftali ben R' Elazar of Lizhensk (1838), grandson of the Noam Elimelech, talmid of R' Menachem Mendel of Kosov
25 Cheshvan - R' Mordechai Rokeach of Bilgoraya (1949) ben R' Yissachor Dov of Belz (1949)

25 Cheshvan – R’ Eliyohu Schmerler, renowned Rosh Yeshiva of Kiryat Sanz for over 60 years (2018).
 

26 Cheshvan - R' Shlomo Segal (1638), Av Beis Din of Polnoah and Lvov, the "MiBeis Levi"
26 Cheshvan - R' Simcha ben R' Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik, buried in Mt. Judah Cemetery in Queens, NY. son of the Bais Halevi
26 Chehsvan - R' Abba ben R' Yitzchok Abuchatzeira (1935) grandson of the Abir Yaakov
 

27 Cheshvan - R' Yaakov ben R' Dovid Yitzchok Leizer of Antwerp, Known as “Reb Yankele” Pshevorsker Rebbe (1998) son-in-law of R' Itzikil Gewirtzman of Pshevorsk

 

28 Cheshvan - Rabbeinu Yonah ben R' Avrohom of Gerondi, author of Shaarei Teshuva (1263)

28 Cheshvan - R' Sholom Eisen (1988), talmid of R' Isser Zalman Meltzer, Moreh Tzedek in the Eida Hachareidis and expert on esrogim
 

29 Cheshvan - R' Yitzchak Eizik Chover, author of Teshuvos Binyan Olam and Si'ach Yitzchak (1852)
29 Cheshvan - R' Chaim ben R' Dov Berish HaKohen Rappaport, author of Mayim Chaim

29 Cheshvan - Rav Avraham Abish Kanner, the Tchechover Rebbe of Haifa (1983)
 

30 Cheshvan - R' Tzvi Hirsch HaKohen of Riminov (1846) ben R' Yehudah Leib, succesor of R' Mendel of Rimanov and author of Sefer Be'eros Hamayim
30 Cheshvan - Rav Yaakov Betzalel Zolty, Rav of Yerushalayim
30 Cheshvan - R' Eliezer Yehudah Waldenberg ben R' Yaakov Gedalyahu (2006) Tzitz Eliezer, Famous posek, he was especially know for his rulings on medical isssues.