“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas
Toldos
Toldos
28 Cheshvan 5778/November
17, 2017
17, 2017
Mevorchim Chodesh Kislev
It
was undoubtedly one of the most exciting days of my pre-married life.
was undoubtedly one of the most exciting days of my pre-married life.
In
2000, I was one of the older bochurim in the Bais Medrash program of Yeshiva
Shaarei Torah. At one point during that winter, the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi
Mordechai Wolmark, and many of the Rabbeim went to Eretz Yisroel, each for a
different reason. So, I and two friends in yeshiva decided that we didn’t want
to be left out. It was shortly after the resurgence of the second intifada, and
plane tickets and hotels were relatively cheap. We booked a room in the King
Solomon Hotel in Yerushalayim, and headed to Eretz Yisroel for a week.
2000, I was one of the older bochurim in the Bais Medrash program of Yeshiva
Shaarei Torah. At one point during that winter, the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi
Mordechai Wolmark, and many of the Rabbeim went to Eretz Yisroel, each for a
different reason. So, I and two friends in yeshiva decided that we didn’t want
to be left out. It was shortly after the resurgence of the second intifada, and
plane tickets and hotels were relatively cheap. We booked a room in the King
Solomon Hotel in Yerushalayim, and headed to Eretz Yisroel for a week.
One
of the days we were there, Rabbi Wolmark was visiting a few Gedolei Yisroel,
and graciously invited us to join him. We met at the home of Chacham Ovadia
Yosef zt’l in Har Nof. Rabbi Wolmark was already there with my rebbe, Rabbi
Yitzchok Heimowitz, and they were speaking in learning. We were enamored by the
large room, filled wall to wall, and floor to ceiling, with sefarim. It is said
that Rav Ovadia knew where every sefer was, and used them all. Before we left,
Rav Ovadia gave each of us his characteristic loving gentle slap on the cheek,
and a blessing.
of the days we were there, Rabbi Wolmark was visiting a few Gedolei Yisroel,
and graciously invited us to join him. We met at the home of Chacham Ovadia
Yosef zt’l in Har Nof. Rabbi Wolmark was already there with my rebbe, Rabbi
Yitzchok Heimowitz, and they were speaking in learning. We were enamored by the
large room, filled wall to wall, and floor to ceiling, with sefarim. It is said
that Rav Ovadia knew where every sefer was, and used them all. Before we left,
Rav Ovadia gave each of us his characteristic loving gentle slap on the cheek,
and a blessing.
From
there, we packed into a small rental car for the hour-long drive to B’nei Brak.
That afternoon, we had the privilege of visiting and receiving blessings from
Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita, Rav Aharon Leib Steinman shlita, and Rav Michel
Lefkowitz zt’l.
there, we packed into a small rental car for the hour-long drive to B’nei Brak.
That afternoon, we had the privilege of visiting and receiving blessings from
Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita, Rav Aharon Leib Steinman shlita, and Rav Michel
Lefkowitz zt’l.
When
we arrived back in Yerushalayim that evening, I was still trying to process
that in one day I had met four of the foremost Torah leaders of our time.
we arrived back in Yerushalayim that evening, I was still trying to process
that in one day I had met four of the foremost Torah leaders of our time.
What
struck me also was the fact that in the presence of Gedolei Yisroel, my rebbe
was also a talmid. I still have the mental image of Rav Ovadia giving my rebbe
the same loving slap on the cheek that he gave me. In front of Rav Ovadia we
were both students. Being there with my rabbeim, was analogous to a father and
son going to visit the saintly grandfather.
struck me also was the fact that in the presence of Gedolei Yisroel, my rebbe
was also a talmid. I still have the mental image of Rav Ovadia giving my rebbe
the same loving slap on the cheek that he gave me. In front of Rav Ovadia we
were both students. Being there with my rabbeim, was analogous to a father and
son going to visit the saintly grandfather.
One
of the distinctions of Gedolei Yisroel is their ability to relate to all Jews
on their level. Tens, if not hundreds, of Jews from all walks of life, seek
their blessing and guidance every day, and walk away feeling rejuvenated and
invigorated.
of the distinctions of Gedolei Yisroel is their ability to relate to all Jews
on their level. Tens, if not hundreds, of Jews from all walks of life, seek
their blessing and guidance every day, and walk away feeling rejuvenated and
invigorated.
Each
Gadol also has his own approach and personality. When we visited Rav Michel
Lefkowitz zt’l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh l’tzirim, he made us feel so
welcomed. His uncanny warmth and shining countenance made us feel perfectly comfortable
sitting next to him. When we stood in the presence of Rav Chaim and Rav Aharon
Leib, it was with a sense of reverence and awe.
Gadol also has his own approach and personality. When we visited Rav Michel
Lefkowitz zt’l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Ponovezh l’tzirim, he made us feel so
welcomed. His uncanny warmth and shining countenance made us feel perfectly comfortable
sitting next to him. When we stood in the presence of Rav Chaim and Rav Aharon
Leib, it was with a sense of reverence and awe.
Our
culture doesn’t only enjoy its sports icons and celebrities, it worships and
idolizes them. Our children don’t want to just play ball like the best
athletes, they want to be just like them.
culture doesn’t only enjoy its sports icons and celebrities, it worships and
idolizes them. Our children don’t want to just play ball like the best
athletes, they want to be just like them.
We
are deeply influenced by who we consider our heroes. We need to be able to
explain to our children the difference between wanting to be as athletic and to
play like the pros, versus wanting to be just like them in other facets of life.
are deeply influenced by who we consider our heroes. We need to be able to
explain to our children the difference between wanting to be as athletic and to
play like the pros, versus wanting to be just like them in other facets of life.
It
goes back to the question of what defines a hero? Is a hero someone who can
accomplish physical feats that others cannot, and has therefore achieved
accolades and stardom, or is a hero someone who lives his/her life for others,
sacrificing personal comfort for the sake and well-being of others?
goes back to the question of what defines a hero? Is a hero someone who can
accomplish physical feats that others cannot, and has therefore achieved
accolades and stardom, or is a hero someone who lives his/her life for others,
sacrificing personal comfort for the sake and well-being of others?
I
always cherish the day that I had the opportunity to meet four real heroes,
together with a couple of my rabbeim, who are also my personal heroes. People
who live life always thinking about Hashem and His people. Those are people
truly wish emulating.
always cherish the day that I had the opportunity to meet four real heroes,
together with a couple of my rabbeim, who are also my personal heroes. People
who live life always thinking about Hashem and His people. Those are people
truly wish emulating.
I
am sending out this essay on 27 MarChesvan, the yahrtzeit of my Zaydei, Rav
Yaakov Meir Kohn z’l. It’s amazing that it’s been thirty
years, and it’s amazing that he remains, and iy’H always will remain, of my
foremost inspirations and role models in life. Aside from being a talmid
chochom of note, based on his smile and ever-present warmth and good-natured
personality, one would think he lived the happiest life and had the most
comfortable youth. The truth however, was vastly different. He was orphaned and
alone in his teen years, after the Nazis barbarically murdered his parents,
particularly his saintly father who was the Rav of his town.
am sending out this essay on 27 MarChesvan, the yahrtzeit of my Zaydei, Rav
Yaakov Meir Kohn z’l. It’s amazing that it’s been thirty
years, and it’s amazing that he remains, and iy’H always will remain, of my
foremost inspirations and role models in life. Aside from being a talmid
chochom of note, based on his smile and ever-present warmth and good-natured
personality, one would think he lived the happiest life and had the most
comfortable youth. The truth however, was vastly different. He was orphaned and
alone in his teen years, after the Nazis barbarically murdered his parents,
particularly his saintly father who was the Rav of his town.
My
Zaydei raised money for the young, burgeoning Bais Medrash Govoha of Lakewood
in its formative years, and for Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in Yerushalayim. He was
the Rav of the famed Slonimer shul on the Lower East Side for over two decades.
He had an uncanny ability to connect with everyone, and he was an example of
one who gave of himself for others.
Zaydei raised money for the young, burgeoning Bais Medrash Govoha of Lakewood
in its formative years, and for Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in Yerushalayim. He was
the Rav of the famed Slonimer shul on the Lower East Side for over two decades.
He had an uncanny ability to connect with everyone, and he was an example of
one who gave of himself for others.
But
personally, he was, and is, my Zaydei and a perpetual inspiration.
personally, he was, and is, my Zaydei and a perpetual inspiration.
Shabbat
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum