AMERICA 250 - The Chida on the American Revolution

We don't typically think in these terms, but the American Revolution that took place in 1776 was happening at the same time that Gedolei Acharonim were thriving in Europe. The Chida was alive in the times of the American Revolution, and the Chida in his classic diary, Magal Tov, records the international reverberations that the American Revolution had on world finances, and specifically had an effect on what the Chida was trying to accomplish in 1777 and 1778. Chida was in Amsterdam. He was looking for a padrino, a patron, someone to support his scholarship and his publishing. And the Chida writes that it was very difficult. He says the Gevirim were in calico. The Chida writes this regarding the 10th day of Adar of the year 5538. Calico means that the market had collapsed. And the Chida says, amazingly, that Kulam Betzar, all the wealthy people, all the people were in great distress, Ki Kol Masam Be-Achziyunim, Be-Chol Karnam Be-Londres, all of their money was invested in the stock market in London. Va-Kol Yarida, the London the English stock market crashed. Va-Kol Hayu Be-Yarida Ha-Tachtona. Why? Milchemes Ha-Amerikanus Sh'Mardah, because of the American Revolution. Because the English the England's assets were invested in the America, and America rebelled. So, because of the American Revolution, the London stock market crashed, and the wealthy people in Amsterdam had invested in London, and they lost a good chunk of their money. The Chida writes amazing things. He says, Ach Hein Hein Gevurosov Hein Hein Noirosov. This historical phenomenon, this historical episode, the American Revolution, shows the power and the awesomeness of Hashem. Yotzei Davar. This was Hashgacha Protis. The American Revolution was Hashgacha Protis. It affected the finances of England. It affected the finances of Amsterdam. It affected the Chida's ability to collect. But with all of that, despite the fact that the wealthy Jews of Amsterdam had lost a good chunk of their money, within 25 days, Nisratza, Senior Aharon, who he owes Padrino, the Tarech Clal. Amazingly, the Chida was able to uh sign up a Padrino. Senior Aharon, he agreed to become the patron, the Padrino, without any trouble. Within 25 days, and on the 42nd day, the Chida already had a signature that Senior Aharon would be the Chida's uh official Padrino. So, you see how the American Revolution had international reverberations throughout Europe. Part of the reason why the centers of Torah began to shift from Europe to ultimately United States of America was because of the financial effect that the American Revolution had on the European continent. So, the Chida calls the the great events of 1776, it was really from 1775 to 1781, the mighty and awesome acts of Hakadosh Baruch Hu.