HaRav Gershon Edelstein at the gathering
A special gathering was held this past Motzei Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, heralding the winter session in yeshivos ketanos and gedolos and dealing with its various aspects. It took place in the home of the Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Gershon Edelstein, and constituted the foundation of the `Tomchim' program, an adjunct of the Lev Shomeia organization.
It was attended by roshei yeshivos, the rabbonim heading the organization and its activists working throughout the country. The new program is aimed at creating a rapport between the roshei yeshivos and their young students, and avreichim especially trained by the organization to help the bochurim to overcome the difficulties encountered in their climb to spiritual excellence.
Due to health limitations, the assembly had to take place with limited participation, including only the heads of Lev Shomeia and select representatives of yeshivos from all over the country. The meeting itself was transmitted via telephone to all the roshei yeshiva and other representatives country-wide.
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The Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Gershon Edelstein, spoke about the issues:
"All you roshei yeshivos and Torah disseminators — you have tremendous merit of zchus horabim in educating the youth to love for Torah, that they continue to be involved in Torah throughout their lives and to go on to establish homes of Torah. This merit of the public is beyond measure since all the value of all the good deeds which are performed by those who are infused with purpose through you is also credited to you as if you, yourselves, performed them, as is written in Chovos Halevovos. Fortunate are you!
"But speaking practically: there is a value known as `awe of greatness — yiras horememus', the reverence a student feels towards his rebbe, regardless if he is in a yeshiva ketana or gedola, or even in cheder. The rebbe must be ever so careful not to tarnish this attitude. He must conduct himself as a man of stature and be cautious not to shout or get angry. There is no advantage in yelling since this has no effect in any case.
"If one wishes to have influence over a student, he can rebuke him, but not publicly. Reproof in public is very demeaning and not effective. On a one-to-one basis, the rebbe can explain that the student should behave differently for his own good and not create a bad name for himself. He should bear in mind that the time will come when people will suggest shidduchim for him and will inquire how he behaved in yeshiva ketana. This is very significant. And if one rebukes the student in private, convincing him that it is for his own good, it will be effective.
"In addition, a student should feel that the rebbe is his friend and seeks his benefit and never did or would insult or hurt him. A certain maggid shiur delivered a shiur beki'us in Shiur Beis in the afternoon. It is usually very difficult to maintain discipline at this time of day, but he never encountered any problems. Why? `I am simply unable to reprimand a student; it goes against my grain.'
"If one arouses a sense of distinction and veneration, the students feel it accordingly and this establishes discipline. When a student is in awe of his teacher, he will respect and esteem him. It all depends on the rebbe's conduct.
"Sometimes, a show of anger is justified but one must be extremely careful that the anger is contained and not expressed in any way. The Chazon Ish says that if a student sees that his rebbe has yielded to anger, he is likely to feel that anger is a positive trait and he will exhibit it likewise.
"One must educate a student to feel awe and reverence towards him, but this requires the rebbe to be on his guard at all times and not to falter. This is very demanding since the student may truly provoke him, address him with chutzpah, and he will find it difficult to contain himself and not react. But there is no choice; he must keep silent and only later, take the student aside privately, not to rebuke him but to give him good advice.
"One can only exert good influence through good will so that the student will feel his friendship, albeit while keeping the distance demanding reverence. A student should not feel that the rebbe is making demands on him. Good will, concern and affection is imperative while maintaining the necessary distance. The rebbe should not lower himself to the student's level for when he maintains his regal stature, the student will be much more prone to accept his gentle reproach or good advice. This is a general rule in maintaining influence over a student.
"There is another feature applying to the study itself. Each class can be divided into three categories: the elite, mediocre and average, and the weak students.
"A lesson should enable the clever student to easily understand it so that he can progress onward. The excellent student should be able to answer a question posed by the maggid shiur. The mediocre student will have to exert himself in order to understand it fully. The weaker one may grasp some of the content but not all. All of the students must feel a sense of satisfaction to a large degree. But the shiur should not be beyond their grasp or too sophisticated, especially for students in yeshiva ketana. The students should enjoy the lesson intellectually and not be thrown off by complex ideas or wording."
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In the central part of the event, HaRav Dan Segal delivered a very moving, emotional address. He said:
"In our situation, it is important to strengthen our faith that Hashem is the A-mighty, nor is there any other power in the world except for Him. One must nullify all thoughts of natural powers and cleave to the thought that Hashem is the Master of everything.
"Everything derives from Hashem and everything is for the good, for us, even if we don't see or understand it, for nothing bad comes from Him. As Chavakuk established, `A tzaddik lives by his faith.' It is not enough just to establish this in one's mind but to live accordingly.
"Living by this creed maintains one's healthy balance and outlook. One must pray for heavenly assistance, as Dovid Hamelech said, `Guide me in Your emunah.'"
He also offered encouragement, saying:
"What is demanded from us now is to fortify ourselves in Torah study according to our present circumstances, to exert ourselves with supreme effort to persevere to our best ability. One must be oblivious to our surroundings and flee to the chambers of Torah. The Torah studied under challenging settings — be'af — shall stand us in good stead. The Torah is not a pillar just for the public but for every individual as well.
"The Chazon Ish says that if a Torah scholar secludes himself in a room within a room and toils properly in Torah, he disseminates holiness throughout the world and evokes thoughts of teshuva to Jews in a far-reaching radius. We are accustomed that speech can induce teshuva, but he reveals to us that pure Torah study within itself can diffuse holiness throughout the world and arouse thoughts of teshuvoh.
"HaRav Yisroel Salanter also said that if we strengthen ourselves in Kovna, it can save Jews in Paris from falling into the abyss.
"By all means, this is the time for us to sequester ourselves in the chambers of Torah. Whoever wishes to be rich, should turn northward.' Wealth refers to spiritual acquisitions which are eternal. Our rabbonim should reinforce the young students in Torah study and stand vigil that they not turn to false and ugly things which were brought upon our generation as a trial to test those who fear the word of Hashem."
