When Rav Hirsch was niftar in Frankfurt on December 31, 1888, it ended a glorious era for Ashkenaz Jewry
The 27th of Teves/December 31 marks the 135th yahrtzeit of Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch ztz”l, the great leader of Ashkenaz Jewry. While we generally mark yahrtzeits with only the Hebrew date, the English date of Rav Hirsch’s petirah — the last calendar day of the Gregorian calendar — is significant as well.
Rav Hirsch served as rav of the separatist Israelitische Religionsgesellschaft in Frankfurt am Main from 1851 until his passing some 37 years later, in 1888. Every three months, the shul would give Rav Hirsch a check as payment for the next quarter year. In the later years of his life, Rav Hirsch never deposited the check until the quarter was over, to ensure he wouldn’t unwittingly take money that he wasn’t entitled to.
When Rav Hirsch was niftar in Frankfurt on December 31, 1888, ending a glorious era for Ashkenaz Jewry, many saw a seemingly divine message in the date. It was the last day of the quarter, and the check could be deposited without any compunctions. Along with his voluminous and brilliant works covering the gamut of Torah and hashkafah that continue to enlighten some 135 years later, Rav Hirsch’s legacy included the middah of absolute integrity and uncompromised emes, one that his descendants and community are still reputed for today.
Yehi zichro baruch.
Rabbi Dovi Weissman is a rebbi living in Detroit, Michigan. For Shabbos Chanukah, Rabbi Weissman and family traveled to Passaic, New Jersey, where he spent Shabbos with his parents. Taking advantage of his time on the East Coast, Reb Dovi treated his boys to a trip to New Square, New York, where the Skverer Rebbe, Rav Dovid Twersky shlita, presides over a grand hadlakah.
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