11 Iyar 5770 – 25 April 2010

Aggadah

Rabha said, “In the reading of the Shema and the Hallel the redemption of Israel should be referred to in the past tense, ‘Who has redeemed…’, while in the prayer embracing the eighteen benedictions it should be referred to in the future tense, ‘Who will redeem, because they are requesting mercy.”

R. Zera said, “When the Kiddush is said, the benediction contained must read, ‘Who has sanctified us with his commandments,’ but in prayer the sentence should read, ‘Sanctify us with your commandments,’ since it is requesting mercy.

Pesachim Chapter 10

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April 25 in History

In 1850, Paul Julius Reuter used 40 pigeons to carry stock market prices. Born Israel Beer Josaphat, Reuter had left his uncle’s bank just two years before to establish what would become one of the world’s greatest news gathering organizations.

At the San Remo Conference, held in 1920, the Supreme Allied Council assigns mandates for Mesopotamia and Palestine to Britain, and Syria and Lebanon to France. The Zionists scored a triumph since, when awarding the mandate to the British it was stated that “the mandatory would be responsible for putting into effect the declaration originally made on the 8th November 1917 by the British government.” In other words, “the Blafour Declaration was affirmed in an international treaty.

As the San Remo Conference comes to an end, “Jewish and Arab delegations dined together in the Hotel Royal, toasting each other as the British looked on benevolently at the next table.” Enmity between Zionists and Arabs was neither inevitable nor “present at the creation.”

11 Iyar in History

In 1881, anti Jewish riots (pogroms) continue to escalate in Russia and break out on the 11th of Iyar in Waslikow and Konotop. The Jews were blamed for the assassination of Czar Alexander II, who was assassinated by revolutionaries. The riots continued for three years across the entire Russia.

1n 1948, the Israeli Army defeated the advancing Syrian Army, following the shelling at the entrance of Deganya, which began at sunrise and lasted nine hours. It is considered the first Israeli victory following the start of the War of Independence.

Rav Yitzchak Alfasi (RiF), codifier of the Gemara, author of Sefer Hahalachot (1013-1103). The period of the Geonim began in 589, and ended in 1038 with the passing of Rav Hai Gaon. Rav Chananel’s father, Rav Chushiel Gaon, had set out from Bavel to collect funds for a needy bride and was seized by pirates. He was sold as a slave in Africa, but was later redeemed by the members of its Jewish communities. From Africa, he headed to Kairuan, where he became a rosh yeshiva. His son, Chananel, was born in Kairuan. A young student from the Algerian city of Kal’a asked to be admitted to Rav Chananel’s yeshiva. His name was Yitzchak Hakohen. As Rav Yitzchak advanced in his studies, he became keenly aware of the fact that many people were unable to elucidate the halacha from the Gemara due to the vast amount of material it contains. As a result, he conceived of the idea of compiling a comprehensive and extensive halachic work that would present all of the halachos and the practical conclusions of the Gemara in a clear, definitive manner. To achieve this goal, he retreated to his father-in-law’s attic, where he worked on his work for 10 consecutive years. During this period, however, a Moslem tyrant gained control of Tunisia, and persecuted all those who did not accept his faith, especially the Jews of Kairuan. As a result, all of the city’s Jewish residents fled to places controlled by the Elmuhides, who were more tolerant of the Jews. Among the fugitives was Rav Yitzchak who, with his wife and two children, moved to the Moroccan city of Fez. Rav Yitzchak remained in Fez for 40 years, during which time he completed his Sefer Ha’halachot, which is considered the first fundamental work in halachic literature. Eventually, he became known as Rav Yitzchak Alfasi, or the Rif. Rav Yitzchak died at the age of 90 in 1103. He was succeeded by the Ri mi’Gaash. His Yahrzeit is either on the 10 or 11 Iyar.