IN-DEPTH FEATURES
Mission And Message: HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman's Visit To The Torah World Of America

Rabbi Friedman accompanied the Rosh Yeshiva on his historic trip to America. We reported the skeletal facts of the journey two weeks ago, in our issue of parshas Toldos. Here are some of Rabbi Friedman's impressions that relate to the flesh and blood — and especially to the soul — of the Rosh Yeshiva's wandering and its effects in America. This is not a complete and comprehensive report, but rather a few of the strong impressions.

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It is virtually impossible to properly assess the impact of HaRav Shteinman's historical visit to Torah communities across the United States from such a close vantage point. Judging from the efforts made by tens of thousands over the two week visit to grasp the opportunity of seeing the elderly gaon and Torah leader, of hearing a shiur or a shmuess, davening with him, greeting him personally or even just being among the huge crowds that met him everywhere, the event struck a deep chord among the Torah faithful public in the USA. But it is too soon to tell how long that chord will continue to resonate to the visitor's message and what kind of changes might come about as a result.

If an accurate evaluation cannot be made, facts can still be provided. How big were the crowds attending the various events? Where did he go and when? Who did he stay with and whom did he meet? Who financed the trip and all the arrangements? Whose private jet did he use?

However, to concentrate on the answers to these questions and the hundred other details that excite people's curiosity is to miss the point. Such information provides the framework within which the visit took place but it doesn't convey the essence of happened.

To try and grasp that, one needs to have watched people's faces, heard their reactions, listened to the yearning in the songs that greeted him and to the quality of the silences that anticipated his words. Pictures, of which there are plenty, can help but they can't convey the feelings that were experienced deep down or the sublime emotions that were aroused. And one also needs to understand the message that HaRav Shteinman wanted to convey to American Torah Jewry and the sacrifice that he made in order to do so.

Such a crushing schedule — sixty separate events in different locations in a score of cities, in the space of a fortnight — would have taxed the energies of many people far younger than HaRav Steinman. His decision to consent to the request and to undertake the trip was hard for many of those who are close to him to accept. "Tell us how far a person's obligations extend," they asked him.

By way of reply, HaRav Steinman opened the medrash Eliyahu Rabba and pointed to a passage in perek 13: "Why did the seventy thousand that were killed in Givas Binyomin die? Because the Sanhedrin that was left by Moshe, Yehoshua and Pinchas ben Elozor with them, should have gone, girded ropes about their loins, lifted [the skirts of] their garments above their knees and visited all the cities of Yisroel; one day to Lachish, one day to Beis El, one day to Chevron, one day to Yerushalayim . . . teaching Yisroel proper conduct so that Hakadsoh Boruch Hu's Name would become great and holy in all the worlds that He created . . . They did not do so. Instead, when they entered Eretz Yisroel, each one went into his vineyard and [occupied himself with] his wine and his field, saying, `Peace upon my soul,' so as not to have too much trouble."

"See how far every Jew's obligation extends," he added, "to do as much as he can to concern himself with the spiritual well being of other individuals and of the community?"

Background

The trip was first proposed several months ago when two members of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah of Agudas Yisroel of America — HaRav Shmuel Kamenetsky, rosh yeshivas Philadelphia and HaRav Aharon Feldman, rosh yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Baltimore — paid HaRav Shteinman a visit bearing two letters inviting the gaon to visit the United States in order to strengthen the Torah community there. One letter was from gedolei Torah of America; the other was from Yeshivas Lakewood. The requests bore fruit when HaRav Shteinman and his entourage took off for New York at ten thirty a.m. on Wednesday, the fifth of Marcheshvan. A welcome notice signed by thirty prominent American roshei yeshiva appeared in the Orthodox press.

Tens of thousands of kilometers and almost fifteen grueling hours later, the car bearing the Rosh Yeshiva made its way into Lakewood as daylight was fading. The road, which had been cordoned off to traffic, was teeming with men, women and children — over ten thousand of them lining several kilometers of road. When his car stopped and HaRav Shteinman alighted, he was met by the roshei yeshiva who, linking arms together with him in the middle, made their way with difficulty through the crowds into the yeshiva building for the short reception ceremony.

Two-and-a-half thousand people packed the hall and heard HaRav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler quote a passage from Shaarei teshuvoh that set the tone of the entire visit. Besides all the shiruim, the shmuessen, the guidance that would be extended to mechanchim and rabbonim, the daas Torah shared with the members of the Moetzes and the pure Torah outlook expressed to a wide public, the very fact of HaRav Shteinman's arrival was powerful enough to shift set ways and to spark new inspiration.

Rabbenu Yonah writes, "[There are] three aspects to honoring sages: when scholars are glorified and elevated, their words are heeded and all the people accompany them and aspire to follow their advice. Second, when people see the honor that is extended to them they will take the lesson as to how to acquire honor and knowledge will increase. Third, many of those whose hearts slumber will awaken when they see glory of Torah's honor and will recognize its virtues and its desire will enter their hearts and their occupation with it will be for the sake of Hashem yis'aleh".

After the reception, a lengthy meeting with the American roshei yeshiva was held to discuss pressing issues. Next HaRav Shteinman greeted members of the public. The hours ticked by. It was already eleven p.m. The Rosh Yeshiva had eaten nothing since eight o'clock that morning, Israeli time, twenty hours earlier. Yet when the last visitor had left the house, he came out of the room and asked his company, "Have you eaten anything yet?" What a lesson that was!

The First Day

Thousands came to join HaRav Steinman for shacharis kevosikin the following morning. Despite the early hour, many fathers brought their sons. After davening, two brisos were held and the distinguished guest was honored with sandeko'us. Then everyone filed past to greet the Rosh Yeshiva.

At this early stage everyone still shook hands with him, as though the slight physical effort would have a negligible effect on a man of advanced years, even when repeated thousands of times. And with each handshake he conveyed warmth; each greeting he gave was personal. Even those who had not arisen for the early tefilloh managed to arrive in time to join the line filing past to receive the Rosh Yeshiva's blessings, his greetings and his comfort. They parted from him with glowing faces.

Many were those who tried throughout the day to gain entrance for a private consultation, but since a day is only twenty- four hours long, access had to be denied to all but those bearing an official tag. To all but one that is. One youth refused to leave the entrance. There was a special pleading look in his eyes, like a child who seeks his father's warmth and will not leave him. While so many were being turned away however, who noticed? But there he still was at the end of the day and he got his way.

"Rabbi," he said, "I have started to observe mitzvos and learn Torah on my own. My parents are some way behind. Give me a blessing to have the strength and the heavenly assistance [to succeed]. Bless me," he begged, "that they should also return to the right path." This plea brought a tear even to exhausted eyes. Wasn't it all worthwhile for such a youngster alone?

Earlier in the day, the yeshiva's main hall and several adjoining ones were packed to capacity for HaRav Steinman's shiur and shmuess. As soon as he started speaking, there was absolute silence. Not a squeak was heard. It's hard to imagine how deafening the silence of several thousand people is. Only the clicking of the cameras could be heard as the Rosh Yeshiva began his shiur on the topic of ruba de'isa kamon. As usual, to begin with he spoke quietly. He discussed the subject at length, argiung back and forth. Slowly things started growing clearer and began falling into place.

The Shmuess in Lakewood

Then it was time for the shmuess. When HaRav Shteinman started speaking about every individual's obligation to elevate himself and act in order to increase Heaven's glory, he choked and a tear trickled down his cheek. A lump that suddenly formed in his throat prevented him from speaking as smoothly as he would have liked. The audience was electrified. The words that emanated from so deeply inside the speaker found their way into the hearts of his listeners and began exerting an influence. Thousands witnessed this figure with his tangible love of Hashem — a Torah giant standing and talking about loving Hashem and crying while doing so.

Eyes that could not tear themselves away from him grew moist. Something moved within the hearts and minds of the audience. Something would never again be the same. Slowly, gazes were lowered and a tense silence prevailed. People were wiping their tears away but the impression of those moments will never fade.

That shmuess was one of the most searing points of the entire visit. Those initial events in Lakewood were followed by swift succession of others, there and elsewhere — meetings for bnei hayeshivos haketanos, special gatherings for children, meetings for mechanchim and for rabbonim, meeting the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah. To describe each one in order would take far too long. Suffice to say that this pattern repeated itself in each town and at each location. Each event was a revelation that left a deep and lasting impression.

"I'm traveling in order to increase people's love and respect for those who study Torah. I'm traveling in order to increase the love and respect for Torah felt by those who study it. I'm traveling to announce that everything is dependent upon Torah and that without Torah there is nothing. I'm traveling in order to proclaim [the supremacy of] Torah and that everything else is worthless." This is what the Rosh Yeshiva told us while our plane sailed high above the clouds.

The visit was not for fundraising. It was purely to inspire and encourage. Heads of institutions were specifically asked to stay away in order to avoid giving any false impressions.

And as usual, there were the cynics who asked with blatant skepticism, "Why did he come then?" It really was hard for them to grasp. To undertake such a difficult trip at such an advanced age without any tangible results? Is it possible?

Of course! People judge others according to their own limited conceptions. Lavan accused Yaakov of thievery because he was Lavan. The skeptics really had no malicious intent. It really is hard for an ordinary person to grasp. Such conduct really only befits a truly great man.

As the trip progressed though, taking in more and more places, facts spoke for themselves and demonstrated that in this case, the unfathomable was indeed the truth. The cry, "Torah!" reverberated with greater and greater power.

The Trip to Baltimore: `No' to `Nonsensical Studies'

HaRav Shteinman was given a rousing welcome in Baltimore. For several kilometers, crowds lined the approach to the yeshiva, singing with enthusiasm and emotion. The beis hamedrash of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel is massive — too wide for the camera's lens to take in at once.

At first, the signs of his recent exertions were visible on HaRav Steinman's face; he seemed to be in pain. But when he went up to speak, his demeanor changed and his voice was clear and steady. The diminutive figure in the enormous hall pierced the hearts of his listeners with his words.

He didn't let up for forty minutes. He spoke about aspiring to greatness and about singleminded ambition for Torah. In Baltimore, as everywhere, the message was fitted to the needs of the place. Hearts were receptive, ears were open and eyes were glued to the small, bent figure that radiated such intensity: "Only Torah! An unequivocal `No!' to anything else. A person has to sacrifice himself for Torah's sake! That is his duty! Only Torah! Nothing else should be allowed to gain a foothold!"

While he spoke, everyone watched him with wide, innocent eyes, focusing, listening. Some mental readjustments were necessary in order to accommodate the message. The delivery was both gentle and abrasive. The voice was soft, the tone pleading, and the words explaining but the message was penetrating, demanding reevaluation and change. Would the challenge be accepted?

Late that evening a group of bnei yeshiva knocked on the door of the Rosh Yeshiva's home, where the visitor was staying. "We heard what the Rov said," they began hesitatingly. "Torah without other studies. We've decided to drop our college studies but we want a blessing. Our parents won't give in easily. Please, we want a blessing that we should have the strength to stand by our decision and to implement it".

This was a message that was repeated again and again. The conviction that further education is a ticket to financial security is deeply ingrained among American Jewry, even in Torah circles.

HaRav Shteinman was quite clear on this point, rejecting the "nonsensical studies." The Jewish nation's future depends solely on the transmission of Torah and the Torah way of life. Other studies guarantee nothing. Money only comes through Heaven's assistance. It is forbidden to plan a future. Torah alone . . . education should be purely Torah, towards leading a life of only Torah — Torah in its untainted purity.

Riverdale: Self Sacrifice

In Yeshivas Telz Riverdale, HaRav Steinman spoke softly about the gemora that relates that the mizmor Ashrei (Tehillim 145) was especially beloved by Dovid Hamelech because when a person asks for something for himself — even for something spiritual — it is not the same as a song that is wholly in praise of Hashem. The less the self is involved, the closer one can get to Hashem.

One evening, after a full day of events, HaRav Shteinman felt ill. A cardiograph showed sharp fluctuations and Dr. Krastin, the chareidi head of the cardiology departmant at Miamonides Hospital, insisted on hospitalization in order to investigate. The Torah world was shocked and prayer gatherings were held in the yeshivos. Tefillos were offered for the wellbeing of our sages and hearts quaked with concern for the Torah community of Eretz Yisroel. Several hours later there was universal relief at the news that the fears had been unfounded.

HaRav Shteinman refused to listen to the requests that he cut down on his engagements. "If I am chas vesholom sick," he explained, "then I must return immediately to Eretz Yisroel. Since, owing to Hashem's kindness, I am healthy, not only do I want to continue — I must continue."

Approximately two hours after his release from hospital and still somewhat weak, HaRav Steinman took his place at a meeting for mechanchim in Yeshivas Torah Voda'as. What he judged to be his real sacrifice was not what others judged it to be. For him, it was closing his gemora and disrupting his learning schedule. "I have to do this," he said in a voice tinged with distress to the members of his party. "We have to. This is our duty at present. It is what I have to do now but I'm not learning for the proper length of time."

He longed to be able to return to learning his regular schedule.

At nights, after exhausting days packed with effort and activity, we saw that the light in his room remained on until the small hours and we heard him learning. When we drove on the highways or soared above the clouds, the camera captured pictures of him with gemora in hand, progressing with his regular learning schedule in maseches Menochos.

Away From the Camera

HaRav Shteinman's last stop in America, before he departed for Europe, en route home to Eretz Yisroel, was Yeshivas Telz Cleveland. Again, a large crowd of bochurim was there to meet him; some of them had come in all the way from Detroit and Boston. The roshei yeshiva, led by the elderly gaon HaRav Chaim Stein, were waiting to greet their guest.

Inside the beis hamedrash that was absolutely filled to capacity, HaRav Stein greeted the visitor warmly, likening HaRav Steinman's mission to that of Avrohom ovinu, who went from place to place declaring Hashem's existence, filling the world with recognition of Hashem. HaRav Stein's voice trembled with emotion and his hands moved in emphasis of the points he made.

Following HaRav Shteinman's address, the guest accompanied the roshei yeshiva to HaRav Stein's home for a meeting to discuss the yeshiva's affairs. Many bnei hayeshiva came along just to catch a last glance. In all probability, the opportunity would not present itself again soon.

At the small airport, the ten seater plane was already revving its engines because we were behind schedule. HaRav Stein, who had insisted on accompanying HaRav Shteinman to the airport, found the parting difficult. He pressed HaRav Shteinman's hand and warmth glowed in his eyes. With sincere love of Torah, he then bent over and kissed HaRav Shteinman's face. I didn't have a camera; that was one scene that will live on only in my memory.

The Itinerary Day One, Wednesday, fifth Marcheshvan 5765 1. Landing at Kennedy Airport and traveling to reception ceremony in the new hall of Lakewood Yeshiva. 2. Meeting of rabbonim and roshei hayeshiva in Rebbetzen Kotler's home. Day Two, Thursday, sixth Marcheshvan 3. Shiur keloli in Lakewood on the topic of Rove. Shmuess in the beis hamedrash. 4. Gathering of Lakewood mesivtos (from seventh grade through shiur aleph of yeshiva gedolah). 5. Meeting for mechanchim — questions and answers. 6. Gathering for all townsfolk in the hall. 7. Celebration of Siyum Hashas by talmidim of the yeshiva. Day Three, Erev Shabbos, seventh Marcheshvan 8. Testing Talmud Torah pupils on mishnayos Seder Moed. 9. Celebration of siyum of masechtos Yevamos and Gittin (by Dirshu) in one of the yeshiva halls. 10. Gathering of thousands of young pupils in the hall. Day Four, Shabbos kodesh parshas Lech Lecha, eighth Marcheshvan 11. Monsey, a shmuess to talmidei yeshiva from Boston. 12. In depth shiur for the public on parshas Lech Lecho. 13. Motzei Shabbos. Gathering of the Monsey community in the Atrium Hall. Day Five, Sunday, ninth Marcheshvan 14. Shmuess in the yeshiva in Edison. 15. Shmuess in the Yeshiva in Philadelphia, minchah and meeting with the roshei hayeshiva. 16. Meeting of mechanchim in the home of HaRav Aharon Feldman in Baltimore. 17. Shiur and shmuess in the beis hamedrash of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel, also attended by the general community. Day Six, Monday, tenth Marcheshvan 18. Baltimore. Shmuess in Talmud Torah She'eiris Hapelaitah. 19. Shmuessen in Mesivta and in Talmud Torah Chofetz Chaim. 20. Shmuess in Mesivta of Baltimore. 21. Mussar shmuess in Silver Spring, Washington, for bnei hayeshiva and members of the community. 22. Visit to Shaarei Tziyon Institutions in Queens. 23. Visit to the home of HaRav Zelig Epstein and shmuess in Yeshivas Shaar Hatorah, Queens. 24. Meeting with rabbonim of Yeshivas Shaar Hatorah and meeting with mechanchim. 25. Inspirational talk for supporters of the yeshiva in Riverdale. 26. Shmuess in Yeshivas Telz, Riverdale. 27. Maariv and a mussar shmuess about nusach Frankfurt in Kehal Adass Yeshurun, Washington Heights. Day Seven, Tuesday, eleventh Marcheshvan 28. Reception for the rabbonim of New York in the home of the Novominsker Rebbe in Boro Park. 29. Meeting of the Moetzes Gedolei Hatorah. 30. Shmuess in Yeshivas Novominsk. 31. Shmuess and divrei halochoh in Yeshivas Torah Temimah. 32. Shmuess and divrei halochoh in Yeshivas Rabbenu Chaim Berlin. 33. Shmuess in Beis Hamedrash of Belz. Day Eight, Wednesday, Twelfth Marcheshvan 34. Blessing the pupils of Tashbar Torah Voda'as, Flatbush. 35. Meeting of hundreds of mechanchim in the beis hamedrash of Yeshivas Torah Voda'as. Day Nine, Thursday, thirteenth Marcheshvan 36. Iyun shiur and shmuess in yeshiva for Aleppo Jewry, Flatbush. 37. Gathering of thousands of the children of Brooklyn, in Flatbush. 38. Shmuess in the yeshiva in Pasaic. Day Ten, Erev Shabbos Kodesh, fourteenth Marcheshvan 39. Shmuess in the yeshiva of South Fallsburg. 40. Shmuess to the students of Yeshivas Beis Shraga, Monsey. Day Eleven, Shabbos kodesh parshas Vayeira, fifteenth Marcheshvan 41. Chumash shiur for members of Monsey community. 42. Motzei Shabbos. Question and answer meeting of mechanchim in hall in Monsey. Day Twelve, Sunday, sixteenth Marchesvan 43. Gathering of Tashbar pupils in Monsey. 44. Large gathering of rabbonim in Marriot Hotel in Brooklyn, under auspices of Agudas Yisroel of America. 45. Gathering for inspiration and arousal, in huge marquee in Boro Park. Day Thirteen, Monday, seventeenth Marcheshvan 46. Shmuess in Yeshiva of Long Beach and vivit to home of HaRav Yitzchok Feigelstock. 47. Shmuess in yeshivas Darchei Torah, Far Rockaway. 48. Gathering of Tashbar pupils in Chicago. 49. Meeting of mechanchim in Chicago. 50. Reception of city's rabbonim with questions and inspirational talk, in the home of HaRav Avrohom Chaim Levine. 51. Large public gathering in the huge beis haknesses on California St. Day Fourteen, Tuesday, eighteenth Marcheshvan 52. Shmuess in Yeshivas Telz, Chicago. 53. Meeting of mechanchim in Beis Haknesses Agudas Yisroel, Toronto. 54. Gathering of mesivtos of Toronto and Montreal in Beis Haknesses Agudas Yisroel. 55. Main gathering in the hall of the Beis Yaakov. Day Fifteen, Wednesday, nineteenth Marcheshvan 56. Shmuess in Kollel Lakewood, Toronto. 57. Gathering of all pupils of Talmudei Torah, in Beis Haknesses Agudas Yisroel, Toronto. 58. Shmuess in Yeshivas Telz, Cleveland. 59. Meeting of yeshiva rabbonim in the home of HaRav Chaim Stein. Day Sixteen, Thursday, twentieth Marcheshvan Paris 60. Following shacharis in Yeshivas Nishmas Yisroel, Paris, inspirational talk for the bnei hayeshiva and for the Jews of Paris. 61. Testing in Yeshiva Ketanah, Avi Ezri. 62. Inspirational talk for bnei hayeshiva and parents about secular studies being forbidden. 63. Blessing to the children in the lower grades. 64. Shmuess to avreichim in Kollel Toras Chaim Yaakov in Geneva, together with bnei hayeshivos from Aix- les-Bains and bnei Torah from Basel, St. Louis (France), Zurich.

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