What happened 30 Shevat In Jewish History

30 Shvat 5404 (Feb. 7, 1644): HaRav Yomtov Lipman Heller (1579-1654) Appointed Rav of Krakow

What makes this day so important? In the universal scheme of things, it may be seen as a small event for a 17th century rabbi to be appointed the rabbi of a city. However, attaining this honor is not what Rav Yomtov, known as the “Tosfot Yomtov” for his scholarly work, wanted to celebrate.

For Rav Yomtov Lipman Heller, 30 Shevat marked the end of fifteen years of personal suffering and persecution. For this reason he asked only his family and descendents to celebrate this day as a day of thanksgiving. However, what happened to Rav Yomtov, and why he called for this “communal Purim” on this particular day, is a story for all Jews to take to heart.

Known as the “Tosfot Yomtov” after his commentary on the Mishnah, he also authored important commentaries on other rabbinical works. A disciple of the famed Maharal of Prague, Rav Yomtov Lipman was appointed, at the age of 18, to serve as a dayan (rabbinical judge) in that city. He subsequently filled a number of prestigious rabbinical positions, including Rav of Nikolsburg and of Vienna.

In 1627 he was recalled to Prague to serve as the city’s chief rabbi. That position earned him powerful enemies when he refused to follow the dictates of Prague’s rich and influential citizens and strove to relieve the burden imposed on the poor by the suffocating “crown taxes” imposed on the poor. His wealthy enemies informed on him to the government, falsely accusing him of treason.

To be clear, the rich and influential people in Prague saw their chief rabbi as an enemy because he was against the taxes that affected the poor people – specifically the Jews who had little money.

In 1629, Rav Yomtov Lipman was arrested, tried and sentenced to death. The Jewish communities of Bohemia succeeded in having the sentence commuted and reduced to a heavy fine. They raised the funds for the payment of the first installment that secured his release. However, his enemies obtained an imperial decision that he could not officiate as rabbi in any town of the empire, leaving him homeless and destitute.

It took many years for him to pay off the balance of the fine and be restored to his former position. It was only in the winter of 1644, when he had completed paying off his fine, that he felt relief from the burdens that had been imposed upon him when he was put in prison 15 years before. It was only when he was appointed chief rabbi of Krakow, that he felt his release from prison was complete.

Since it was a personal redemption, Rabbi Yomtov Lipman Heller designated 30 Shevat a day of thanksgiving only for his family and descendants. However, Rav Yomtov’s story is one that applies to all Jews of every generation. It is not hard to see the parallel’s between 17th century Prague, and what is happening in America in the year 2025.

30 Shvat 5427 (Feb. 2, 1667): The End of the Carnival Race in Rome.

In the mid-17th century in Rome, Jews were confined to living in the Roman Ghetto, a walled quarter with three gates that were locked at night. The Jews were subjected to other degradations, including having to attend compulsory Catholic sermons on Shabbat. Outside the ghetto, Jews were required to wear yellow clothing to identify them as Jews.

Every year, during Rome’s annual carnival, (held on Monday), Jews had been subjected to a humiliating medieval practice of running a race along the main street, scantily-clad, while the crowd mocked them, threw trash, and reigned heavy blows. (The event often proved fatal.)

In 1667 Pope Clement IX put an end to the competitions which were later substituted with the ‘Corsa dei Berberi’. The Jews race was abolished but the community annually had to pay a tax that was used to build the stage of the authorities and to purchase the winner Palio prize.

On 30 Shvat 5427 (Feb. 2, 1667), Jews ran this awful race for the last time.

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