Today is Sunday, Av 26, 5786 · August 9, 2026
Today in Jewish History
• Tzemach Tzedek Departs Petersburg (1843)
In 1843, the Interior Ministry of the Czarist government convened a rabbinical conference in the Russian capital of Petersburg, to the end of imposing changes in Jewish communal life and religious practice. Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (1789-1866, known as the "Tzemach Tzedek" after his Halachic works by that name) was invited; as a primary figure in the leadership of Russian Jewry, his compliance was required to lend legitimacy to the government's proposed "reforms". In the course of the conference, the Tzemach Tzeddek was placed under arrest no less than 22 (!) times for his refusal to cooperate. When he finally departed Petersburg on the 26th of Av, he had successfully prevented the government's disruption of traditional Jewish life.
Links:
A Brief Biography of the Tzemach Tzedek
More on the Tzemach Tzeddek
• Passing of R. Yoel Teitelbaum (1979)
R. Yoel Teitelbaum was the founding rebbe of the Satmar
chassidic dynasty, named after the town of Satmar (or Satu Mare) in what is
today northwestern Romania. After World War II (see entry for 21 Kislev), he
relocated to the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, where he continued to
lead his thousands of followers. He passed away on 26 Menachem Av, 5739 (1979).
Daily Quote
The wicked in their lifetimes are called "dead"; the righteous in death are called "living."
— Talmud, Berachot 18
Daily Torah Study
Chumash: Shoftim, 1st Portion Devarim (Deuteronomy) 16:18-17:13 with Rashi
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English / Hebrew Linear Translation
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Video Class
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Daily Wisdom (short insight)
Tehillim: Chapter 119, Verses 97-176
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Hebrew text
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English text
Tanya: Iggeret HaKodesh, middle of Epistle 8
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English Text (Lessons in Tanya)
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Hebrew Text
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Rambam:
• Sefer Hamitzvot:
• 1 Chapter A Day: Kiddush HaChodesh Kiddush HaChodesh - Chapter 10
• 3 Chapters A Day: Shegagot Shegagot - Chapter 6, Shegagot Shegagot - Chapter 7, Shegagot Shegagot - Chapter 8
Hayom Yom:
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