Today the 5th of Shevat , Jan. 12 in Jewish History

On the 5th of Shevat, 1892, the Russian government closed the Volozhin Yeshiva, 1892.

The Valozhyn Yeshiva, which is also known as the Etz Chaim Yeshiva, was situated in the city of Valozhyn, known today as Belarus during the 19th century.

The yeshiva was founded in 1803 by the famous Rabbi Chaim Volozhin who was a disciple of the Gaon of Vilna. In 1821 Reb Chaim's son Isaac took over the Volozhin Yeshivah and ran the Yeshivah until he dies in 1849. Rabbi Eliezer Fried was appointed head of the Yeshiva after the passing of Rabbi Issac, together with Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin as his assistant. Soon after, in 1854, Rabbi Fried died and thus Rabbi Berlin became the new Rosh haYeshiva along with Rabbi Joseph Ber Soloveichik, Reb Chaim's great-grandson who was the assistant Rosh Yeshiva.

The reason for the closure of the Yeshiva by the Russian Government was because the Russian authorities sought to introduce a program of secular studies into the yeshiva. As this would seriously undermine the aims of the institution, Rabbi Berlin saw no other solution than to let the government close the yeshiva.

Today the 4th of Shevat , Jan. 11 in Jewish History

Today the 4th of Shevat is the Yahrtzeit of the famed Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzeira, the great Sephardic sage and kabbalist known as the Baba Sali (1889-1984). Baba Sali was born in Morocco, he made made aliyah following the creation of the State of Israel, and eventually settled in the Negev town of Netivot. In Netivot he served as a central address for Jews seeking advice, blessings, and in many cases, miracles. Stories abound of his supernatural abilities, if someone complained about a physical malady, he would prescribe a spiritual action to rectify it. If he was presented with money as a gift, he could identify if it was earned in a "kosher" way or not. He had elevated himself beyond the physical to the extent that he would eat only small morsels each day.

Baba Sali's Burial grave in Netivot is a popular place of pilgrimage and prayer, with many people finding their salvation through their prayer done at Baba Sali's Grave..

The 3rd of Shevat , Jan. 10 in Jewish History

This day, the 3rd of Shevat was a sad day to the Jewish nation which eventually brought a large destruction to the Jewish nation. It was the day that Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany in the Year of 1933, by then President Hindenburg.

Jewish Corner

Now that the world is very acceptable to all different cultures and religions, more than ever before Jewish People are turning to purchase Jewish Jewelry. A typical Jewish Jewel is Hamsa Jewelry , Gold Chai Pendants , Mezuzah Pendants , and Menorah Pendants . Being the fact that many Jewish Jewels are manufactured in Israel, many Jewish Jewelry pieces have a Middle Eastern Style, but this is not always the case. There are many Jewish Jewelry out there with a really nice, modern and Western up-to-date design.

Today the 2nd of Shevat , Jan. 9 in Jewish History

The 2nd of Shevat marks the death of evil King Alexander Yannai, a Hasmonian king of Judea from 103 BCE to 76 BCE. Yannai is famous for the Etrog throwing Episode that occurred while he was at service in the Bet Hamikdash. While serving as High Priest at the Temple in Jerusalem, Yannai mocked the Sukkot service, at which point the crowd showed their displeasure by pelting him with etrogs. Yannai responded by having his soldiers kill 6,000 people in the Temple courtyard. Yannai aligned himself with the Hellenist faction known as the Sadducees, and opposed the mainstream rabbis, the Pharisees. On various occasions Yannai ordered the killing of Pharisees, and feasted while watching the executions.

According to traditional sources, Yannai later repented and cooperated with the Pharisees.

Kosher Corner

With Passover around the corner many people start their Passover shopping early, to be able to decide on their Passover gifts and Passover products ahead of time without having to make a rushed decision.

In today's Judaica industry many Passover products are available. You can find all sorts of Passover products such as Passover books, Passover Seder Plates , Matzah Covers and much more. Scroll around in Judaica Brick and Mortar stores or Online stores and you will find many interesting Passover Gifts to choose. And as it's known, start your Passover Shopping early and you will be ahead of the game.

Today the 1st of Shevat , Jan. 8 in Jewish History

On the 1st day of Shevat, the Biblical plague of ARBEH (locust) started to the Egyptians at the time when the Jews were in the Egyptian exile.

These arbeh were not ordinary locusts. They ate up all of the grain and vegetation that was left in the fields after the plague of barad (hail). No greenery remained on the trees or the crops of the field in the entire land of Egypt. This was middah kineged middah (measure for measure), for the Jewish slaves had cultivated those fields. The arbeh even ate the clothing and jewelry that the Egyptians were wearing. They penetrated into the innermost rooms of their homes. Normal locusts are harmless, but these arbeh had venomous saliva which killed the Egyptians.

Kosher Corner

Calcium is an essential mineral with a wide range of biological roles and is one of the most important minerals you should take in order to maintain good health. While the majority of calcium is located in the bones and the teeth it is also required for blood coagulation, nerve function, production of energy, the beating of the heart, proper immune function and muscle contraction. But most of us recognize calcium for the possible role it plays in preventing the onset of osteoporosis.

Taking non-kosher vitamins can be problematic for kosher consumers since they may contain non-kosher ingredients. In today's Kosher Health Food market there are many calcium supplements available. What we find that is best, at least to people who prefer chewable calcium is the Kosher Chewable Calcium Complex by Maxi Health. This kosher calcium provides great nutrition, is kosher and above all has a great taste.

Today 29th of Tevet , Jan. 7 in Jewish History

In 1808, Ezekiel Hart, the first Jew elected to Canadian Parliament, was denied his seat when he swore the oath of inauguration on a Jewish Bible. At the time, British laws prohibited Jews and Roman Catholics from such positions, and Hart was expelled from the assembly.

Hart did not run for public office again. He continued to live in Trois-Rivières until his death where he was a successful businessman and well-respected member of the community. He served in the militia during the War of 1812 and became colonel in 1830. He was one of the founders of the Bank of Montreal in 1817. Hart enjoyed success as a businessman until his death in 1843.

Today the 28th of Tevet , Jan 6 in Jewish History

On the 28th of tevet 1866, Jews of Switzerland were granted civic equality upon pressure exerted by the United States which had interceded on behalf of American Jewish citizens. The ambassadors of France, England, and the United States insisted that all citizens should be granted full settlement rights, regardless of creed but full religious freedom was granted only in 1874 with the passage of the confederal constitution. Switzerland was one of the last Western European countries to grant Jews emancipation. In fact, the only countries to provide emancipation later were Spain and Portugal in 1918.

Kosher Corner

Every parent wants to ensure their child grows up healthy and strong – something that is often easier said than done with our hectic lifestyles. Kids today consume more processed foods than ever before and whatever healthy food they do eat is usually from nutrient deficient soils. Kids are also consuming more pop and junk foods and doing less exercise. That's why it's more important than ever to give kids a Children's Kosher mulit vitamin. Maxi Health has released a Multi vitamin for kids named Chewable Kiddievite. This Kosher Children's multi vitamin has become very accepted among kosher consumers