January 27 1742 – 22 Shevat 5502
Livorno
The Jews of Livorno and their descendants celebrated their salvation from a severe earthquake by setting aside this day for merriment and feasting as Purim Livorno. Among the survivors was a merchant, Yedidya son of Nahman Mikhael, who described the miraculous events in Yedidya’s Scroll. Fifty years later, Rabbi Hayim David Azulai (Hida) praised the rabbis of Livorno who,
“when the earthquake’s disaster struck them in the year 5502… they decreed a fast on that day, and every subsequent year on that holy Sabbath expanded Hallel thanksgiving prayers are to be recited [in the appropriate part of the prayer service] with singing and tuneful melodies” (Hayim Sha’al Responsa).
Livorno is famed for its rabbis, its Hebrew press dating from this time, and for philanthropist Moses Montefiore, who was born in the town.