My Yeshiva, Your Yeshiva - Monthly Gedolim Stories
In Rabbi Yechiel Speros latest book of short stories, titled "One for the Books", there are a number of truly incredible stories. Having been in need of a Gadol Story for the month of Nissan, I knew that if I looked in Rabbi Speros latest book, I will definitely find something to work with and I wasn't disappointed.
This story features the great Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt'l, the Rosh Yeshiva of the Mir. The love and kindness he showed in this story is truly special and it makes the story that much more incredible and worthwhile to share.
I hope you enjoy the story and I wish you all the very best.
Have an amazing rest of your Yom Tov and if you are reading this after Yom Tov, I hope you had an amazing Yom Tov! :)
With warm blessings,
Yitzy Schweitzer
My Yeshiva, Your Yeshiva - Monthly Gedolim Stories
When a bachur reaches the age to learn in Eretz Yisroel, he sets his sights on the best, the most prestigious and highly regarded institutions, where the atmosphere is filled with holiness and the halls are vibrant with the sounds of rigorous Torah study. Among these, Brisk stands at the top, the pinnacle, a place where the Torah of Rav Chaim Brisker zt'l continues to reverberate. For many young men, it is the ultimate destination, the crown jewel of their learning years.
Of course, besides for Brisk, there are many other Yeshivos to choose from, each rooted in its own holiness and Torah-true history. But Brisk is still at the top of many Bochurim's lists as there just seems to be a certain touch, a certain feel, that attracts them to learn in this prestigious Yeshiva.
But, despite its lofty and respected status, Brisk is not always accessible. Sometimes, even the most sharp and gifted young men, find themselves at the crossroads of decisions, knowing Brisk might not accept them straight away, so they must find alternative options and destinations.
Such was the case, in the beginning of the twenty-first century, when a group of Bochurim eagerly sought and hoped to learn in Brisk. But the doors did not open for them and so, even though they did not want to give up and their dreams, they began looking for a different place to learn.
After discussions among themselves, they decided to go to Yeshivas Mir, for the zman, hoping that after this zman, the doors to Brisk would open for them.
In those days, Yeshivas Mir was under the leadership of Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt'l, a gadol who was respected, admired and revered, not only for his brilliance in Torah, but also for his unrelenting determination in the face of severe, truly severe Parkinson's disease. Despite his physical limitations, Rav Nosson Tzvi continued to lead the Mir with much passion and energy inspiring all who encountered him.
When our group of Bochurim arrived in Mir, RavNosson Tzvi lovingly welcomed them with open arms and immediately began to make an effort to develop a connection with them. His care and concern for each of his talmidim were well-known and these young men soon found themselves under his personal care.
The Rosh Yeshivas physical limitations are apparent to all who saw him, but they did nothing to diminish his towering and loving presence. His tremors, his slowed movements, the difficulty with which he spoke, none of this ever stopped him from being completely involved in the lives of his talmidim. He was a man who seemed to rise above the challenges and limitations of the physical world, completely devoted to his mission of spreading Torah and supporting his students.
The bochurim were amazed at The Rosh Yeshiva's dedication. They marveled at how he would go out of his way to ensure that each one of them felt at home in the Mir. He would make time for them, offer advice, and continue to build personal connections with them.Any interaction with Rav Nosson Tzvi became prized and treasured moments for these bochurim and they truly felt honored and uplifted by his care and love.
As the zman came to a close, the bochurim received the news they had been waiting for: they had been accepted into Brisk. Understandably, they were overjoyed, but with the joy came the soft slight whispering of guilt. Rav Nosson Tzvi had opened his doors and heart to them and now they were leaving. How could they say goodbye to someone who had given them so much?
They knew that, even if it was going to be difficult they had to go to him. With one of the bochurim chosen as the spokesman, they approached the Rosh Yeshiva. Voice unsteady, the bochur chosen as the spokesman began to speak, expressing the groups overwhelming hakoras hatov, and thanking Rav Nosson Tzvi for his kindness and the numerous ways he had supported them during their time in the Mir. The other bochurim stood around nodding in agreement, each one filled with the same sense of appreciation - and guilt.
Rav Nosson Tzvi, however did not seem surprised or upset. His voice trembling, his speech slowed by the effects of Parkinson's, he responded in the same gentle, loving tone he had always used. "Thank you for coming to the Mirrer Yeshiva. I am so grateful, I was able to build a shaychus (connection) with you."
After a brief pause, he added, "But I must ask you one favor."
The bochurim's heads shot up. A favor? For Rav Nosson Tzvi? Of course they would do something for hum! After all, it was the least they could do after all he had done for them.
"Promise me..." the Rosh Yeshiva continued slowly, "promise me, that after you leave the Mir..."
The bochurim held their breath, waiting to hear what he would ask of them.
""...that you would never hesitate to call me if you need anything."
The words hung in the air. This was not what they had expected. They thought he would ask them to do something for him, some small favor to show their gratitude. Yet, in his infinite kindness, Rav Nosson Tzvi, was thinking only of them. All he wanted was for them to know, to understand that no matter where they were, where they would go, or which Yeshiva they learned in, they should never be reluctant or hesitate to call him, to reach out to him if they needed anything.
The bochurim left that meeting inspired, knowing that they had someone to turn to, someone who cared for them - no matter where they were.
Of course, besides for Brisk, there are many other Yeshivos to choose from, each rooted in its own holiness and Torah-true history. But Brisk is still at the top of many Bochurim's lists as there just seems to be a certain touch, a certain feel, that attracts them to learn in this prestigious Yeshiva.
But, despite its lofty and respected status, Brisk is not always accessible. Sometimes, even the most sharp and gifted young men, find themselves at the crossroads of decisions, knowing Brisk might not accept them straight away, so they must find alternative options and destinations.
Such was the case, in the beginning of the twenty-first century, when a group of Bochurim eagerly sought and hoped to learn in Brisk. But the doors did not open for them and so, even though they did not want to give up and their dreams, they began looking for a different place to learn.
After discussions among themselves, they decided to go to Yeshivas Mir, for the zman, hoping that after this zman, the doors to Brisk would open for them.
In those days, Yeshivas Mir was under the leadership of Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt'l, a gadol who was respected, admired and revered, not only for his brilliance in Torah, but also for his unrelenting determination in the face of severe, truly severe Parkinson's disease. Despite his physical limitations, Rav Nosson Tzvi continued to lead the Mir with much passion and energy inspiring all who encountered him.
When our group of Bochurim arrived in Mir, RavNosson Tzvi lovingly welcomed them with open arms and immediately began to make an effort to develop a connection with them. His care and concern for each of his talmidim were well-known and these young men soon found themselves under his personal care.
The Rosh Yeshivas physical limitations are apparent to all who saw him, but they did nothing to diminish his towering and loving presence. His tremors, his slowed movements, the difficulty with which he spoke, none of this ever stopped him from being completely involved in the lives of his talmidim. He was a man who seemed to rise above the challenges and limitations of the physical world, completely devoted to his mission of spreading Torah and supporting his students.
The bochurim were amazed at The Rosh Yeshiva's dedication. They marveled at how he would go out of his way to ensure that each one of them felt at home in the Mir. He would make time for them, offer advice, and continue to build personal connections with them.Any interaction with Rav Nosson Tzvi became prized and treasured moments for these bochurim and they truly felt honored and uplifted by his care and love.
As the zman came to a close, the bochurim received the news they had been waiting for: they had been accepted into Brisk. Understandably, they were overjoyed, but with the joy came the soft slight whispering of guilt. Rav Nosson Tzvi had opened his doors and heart to them and now they were leaving. How could they say goodbye to someone who had given them so much?
They knew that, even if it was going to be difficult they had to go to him. With one of the bochurim chosen as the spokesman, they approached the Rosh Yeshiva. Voice unsteady, the bochur chosen as the spokesman began to speak, expressing the groups overwhelming hakoras hatov, and thanking Rav Nosson Tzvi for his kindness and the numerous ways he had supported them during their time in the Mir. The other bochurim stood around nodding in agreement, each one filled with the same sense of appreciation - and guilt.
Rav Nosson Tzvi, however did not seem surprised or upset. His voice trembling, his speech slowed by the effects of Parkinson's, he responded in the same gentle, loving tone he had always used. "Thank you for coming to the Mirrer Yeshiva. I am so grateful, I was able to build a shaychus (connection) with you."
After a brief pause, he added, "But I must ask you one favor."
The bochurim's heads shot up. A favor? For Rav Nosson Tzvi? Of course they would do something for hum! After all, it was the least they could do after all he had done for them.
"Promise me..." the Rosh Yeshiva continued slowly, "promise me, that after you leave the Mir..."
The bochurim held their breath, waiting to hear what he would ask of them.
""...that you would never hesitate to call me if you need anything."
The words hung in the air. This was not what they had expected. They thought he would ask them to do something for him, some small favor to show their gratitude. Yet, in his infinite kindness, Rav Nosson Tzvi, was thinking only of them. All he wanted was for them to know, to understand that no matter where they were, where they would go, or which Yeshiva they learned in, they should never be reluctant or hesitate to call him, to reach out to him if they needed anything.
The bochurim left that meeting inspired, knowing that they had someone to turn to, someone who cared for them - no matter where they were.
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