This Day, May 16, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 160942(21st of Iyar, 4702): Saadia Gaon passed away. Born in 882, Saadia Gaon was the head of the Talmudic Academy of Sura (Babylonia). He was a recognized authority on the Talmud, and a profound...
View ArticleThis Day, May 17, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 17 142 BCE: “Simon the Hasmonean captured the citadel of Jerusalem and expelled its Syrian garrison ad the Hellenized Jews” who had fought with them. Simon was the last surviving Hasmonean brother....
View ArticleThis Day, May 18, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z'L
May 18323BCE: Alexander dies at the age of 32. Despite the legend, there is no proof that Alexander ever came to Jerusalem. He did pass through Judea on his way to conquer Egypt and on his way from...
View ArticleThis Day, May 19, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 19363: For a second day in a row, a series of earthquakes that took place along a fault-line stretching from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba shook the region around the Galilee. According to...
View ArticleThis Day, May 20, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 20 68(3rd of Sivan, 3828): During the Great Revolt, Vespasian captured Jericho and slaughtered the Jewish inhabitants.325: The First Council of Nicaea, convoked by Emperor Constantine, opens....
View ArticleThis Day, May 21, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 21383: As the emperor struggles to make Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire he promulgates a law that denies anybody who converts from Christianity to another religion the right to...
View ArticleThis Day, May 22, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levim Z"L
May 22334 BCE: The Macedonian army of Alexander the Great defeated Darius III of Persia in the Battle of the Granicus. This was the first step of a “journey” that would lead to the turning Egypt and...
View ArticleThis Day, May 23, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 23142 BCE (23rd of Iyar): Simon the Hasmonean drove the Syrians and their allies out the citadel which was their last stronghold in Jerusalem.1052: Birthdate of Philip I, King of France who passed...
View ArticleThis Day, May 24, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 241218: The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. The driving forces behind the crusade were two Popes who broke new ground in the mistreatment of the Jews – Innocent III and his successor,...
View ArticleThis Day, May 25, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 251085: Pope Gregory VI passed away. Gregory opposed Henry IV, the Holy Roman Emperor who saw himself as a protector of the Jews. Henry contended that the Jews, regardless of where they lived,...
View ArticleThis Day, May 26, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 261096(1st of Sivan): The Crusaders massacred the Jews of Neuss, Germany1135: Alfonso VII of León and Castile was crowned in the Cathedral of Leon as Imperator totius Hispaniae, "Emperor of all of...
View ArticleThis Day, May 27, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 271096 (3rd of Sivan): Count Emicho and the Crusaders entered Mayence, Germany. The Jews took refuge in the Episcopal Palace and committed mass suicide rather than convert. One Jew by the name of...
View ArticleThis Day, May 28, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 28408: Emperor Theodosius issued a decree restricting Jewish activities related to Purim. Specifically, he banned the burning of Haman’s effigy because early Christians felt the Jews were mocking...
View ArticleThis Day, May 29, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 29363: A good day for the Romans and bad day for the Jews. Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the Sassanid capital, but is impossible to...
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This Day, May 30, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
May 3070: During the Siege of Jerusalem, Titus and his Roman legions breach the Second Wall of Jerusalem. The Jewish defenders retreat to the First Wall. The Romans build a circumvallation, cutting...
View ArticleThis Day, May 31, In Jewish History by Mitchell A. and Deb Levin Z"L
May 311279 BCE: Ramses II (The Great) (19th dynasty) becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. If you accept the contention that Moses lived from 1391–1271 BCE, Ramses would be the Pharaoh who came to power...
View ArticleThis Day, June 1, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
June 1987: Hugh Capet was elected King of France making him the first of the Capetians. During this period, power lay with the nobles and the leaders of the Church. Among other things this meant that...
View ArticleThis Day, June 2, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
June 2876 BCE (28 Iyar 2884): This is the traditional date of death of Samuel, prophet and priest (born 2832). 455: The Vandals entered Rome and plundered the city. Among the treasures they took with...
View ArticleThis Day, June 3, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
June 3350: Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering Rome at the head of a group of gladiators. The Constantinian Dynasty took its name from its...
View ArticleThis Day, June 4, In Jewish History by Mitchell A and Deb Levin Z"L
JUNE 41039 Conrad II passed away. Born in 990, he served Holy Roman Emperor from 1027 until his death. His reign was part of positive period for the Jews of the Rhineland. The first synagogue was...
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