On Sunday chol hamoed Pesach, Rav Chaim Gutnick gave
an inspiring talk on prewar Jewry in Europe to the members of
Kollel Beth Hatalmud in Melbourne, Australia. It was similar
to the articles featured in the past two editions of Yated
entitled, "The Adventures of a Mirrer Bochur in
Europe."
Rav Chaim Gutnick, a prominent rov in Melbourne and the
father of the philanthropist, spoke about his life
experiences in meeting great Torah leaders and of their
profound influence on their generation. They were people of
such stature that it was difficult for him to begin
describing them.
He also related his own personal life story. He was born in
Chevron and was lucky to escape the Chevron Progrom in Av,
1929, when his family happened to be in Tel Aviv on the
Shabbos when Arabs rioted. He later moved to London with his
family when his father was pressured to take a rabbinical
position there. His father soon passed away, when he was only
twelve. His mother then entrusted his education to the Telz
Rosh Hayeshiva who was visiting London at the time.
He was taken by the Telz Rosh Hayeshiva from London to
Yeshivas Telz in Europe and where he enjoyed what he
described as "his own Gan Eden on this world." In
Telz, they were very concerned with the proper use of one's
time. He said that the concept of wasting time even extended
to listening to a Torah discourse on a topic not currently
learned in the yeshiva. That's how much the Yeshiva valued
time.
Rav Gutnick related the story of how a few yeshiva
bochurim arrived on the shores of Australia during the
war. They were encouraged financially to move elsewhere,
because it was said that the lifestyle of Australians did not
suit the lifestyle of yeshiva people. Many indeed left,
opting to go to America to learn under HaRav Aharon Kotler.
However Rav Gutnick was told to remain in Australia, because
if Hashem made him come to that country he should stay.
In describing the dearth of Torah learning he related that
when they arrived they could hardly find a Rambam and that
Torah was practically nonexistent, especially in Sydney.
He said that now it is wonderful to see how even in
Australia, Torah has blossomed to such an extent that it has
such a high caliber kollel of advanced Jewish learning
in its midst as the Kollel Beth Hatalmud.
