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Opinion & Comment
There are Certain People One Must Study Carefully

by Avrohom Hacohen

HaGaon R' Elchonon Bunim Wassermann zt'l Hy'd used to leave Baranowitz each year at the beginning of Elul to be in the proximity of the Chofetz Chaim, where he remained until after Simchas Torah. After the death of the Chofetz Chaim, from the beginning of 5694 (1933), he began visiting Kelm during that period, and continued to do so until his death.

When R' Elchonon was asked why he felt the need to leave "Ohel Torah," the tent of Torah in Baranowitz, and travel to Kelm, he said: "Yeshayoh prophesied as follows, `Thus says Hashem: the heavens are My throne and the earth is My footstool. What is the house that you can [presume to] build for My name . . . For this is what I shall look at: to the poor and the dispirited and he who is anxious over My word.'" He interpreted `heavens' as all the heavens and spiritual spheres. All these are the throne of the A-mighty, while the `earth' represents the world below with all of the creatures inhabiting it. These, he said, are Hashem's footstool.

And if we were to ask: what is most significant in the eyes of Hashem? the answer is, says Yeshaya, "For this is what I shall look at." There are certain people whom it is advisable to study. And he would indicate R' Doniel Movshovitz Hy'd, rosh yeshivas Kelm of that period. "To the poor and dispirited and one who is anxious over My word." This, he said, perfectly exemplified R' Doniel.

R' Chaim Dov Silver zt'l, one of the disciples of Yeshivas Kelm (which was called the Talmud Torah), and later one of the heads of Vaad Hayeshivos in Eretz Yisroel, would at various occasions tell his family about the period in which R' Elchonon visited Kelm. These are the impressions he conveyed:

When anyone was called up to the Torah in Kelm, no title would be used, not even HaRav, with no exceptions made. When R' Elchonon was called up the gabbai said simply, "Elchonon Bunim ben Naftoli Hirsch," and a tremor swept through the congregation, even though they knew that this was the practice to show that all are equal before the Torah, and who knows what real title we have earned up in Heaven . . . (See Chochmoh Umussar, Part II, Essays 350, 351).

*

During the days that R' Elchonon stayed in Kelm, he imparted a most interesting fact about the Chofetz Chaim, which R' Silver was privileged to hear. It also, incidentally, revealed a fascinating practice of R' Elchonon that he carried on throughout his life.

R' Elchonon told him, "I have proof that the Chofetz Chaim possessed ruach hakodesh."

How was that? During the period he was in Radin, his designated place was by the western wall of the beis midrash, behind the bimah. The Chofetz Chaim himself sat on the eastern wall near the aron kodesh.

One evening, R' Elchonon extended his prayers and the Chofetz Chaim also prayed longer and more fervently than was his wont. When the latter had finished, the beis midrash had already emptied out. The Chofetz Chaim passed by R' Elchonon's place, stopped, and said, "It is not enough to recite the Thirteen Principles of Faith twice a day if one truly wishes to fortify that faith." He then continued on his way.

R' Elchonon tells how he stood transfixed on his place in sheer amazement, for it was, indeed, his practice to recite the Thirteen Principles twice daily, after the morning prayers and again, after the evening service. But he did so secretly, and had been certain that no one was aware that he was doing so. Yet here, the Chofetz Chaim had mentioned it in passing, as if it were such a commonly known fact . . .

*

In Sivan 5700, Russian forces invaded the streets of Kelm and the skies of Lithuania clouded over dismally. The security situation, as well as the spiritual condition, deteriorated, and R' Chaim Dov Silver was given the opportunity, as a British citizen, to escape Kelm and join other British nationals who were being transferred to distant Australia. R' Chaim Dov consulted his mentor, R' Doniel Movshovitz, who gave his blessings to this plan, but advised him nonetheless to consult with R' Elchonon, who was in Kelm at the time.

R' Chaim Dov encountered R' Elchonon as he was leaving the building of the Talmud Torah, and laid out the details of the plan. R' Elchonon listened, and when he heard that R' Chaim Dov was scheduled to pass through Japan, he said, "Now that is problematic. If Japan enters the war, you are in danger."

R' Elchonon grasped his head in his hands and sank into concentrated thought. Suddenly, he looked up and said, "I don't know. I don't see anything . . . I can't see a thing, so don't ask me about this any more. It is a difficult matter for me to decide. But remember this, in any event: wherever you are, you will not be able to escape the tribulations of Moshiach, for they will be everywhere . . . " With these words, R' Elchonon concluded the talk and blessed him with success in whatever way he chose to follow.

Later, R' Chaim Dov Silver would relate how he went to Australia and, indeed, the Japanese did invade it. Fear was rampant, and he could not help being reminded of R' Elchonon's words, that chevlei Moshiach would be experienced throughout the world. The war eventually came to an end, thanks to heavenly mercy, and all turned out for the best.

*

R' Moshe Portman shlita, a survivor from the Kelmer yeshiva, tells that when R' Elchonon used to come to Kelm in Elul to be near R' Doniel, each day after the morning prayers, he would go over to him and the two would spend a long time discussing weighty matters.

HaRav Mordechai Zuckerman shlita notes that only two men were permitted to address the students of the Kelmer Talmud Torah, outside of their own roshei yeshiva, and these were R' Elchonon Wassermann and R' Aharon Baksht Hy'd.


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