The Netziv zt"l
Tuesday, the 28th of Menachem Av, was the yahrtzeit of the Netziv of Volozhin who passed away 133 years ago. He was the successor of his father, Rav Itzele, who was the only son and successor of the Father of Yeshivos, HaRav Chaim of Volozhin. The Netziv stood at the helm of the yeshiva for forty years, producing thousands of disciples while simultaneously, illuminating the eyes of Jewry through his responsa and writings in all areas of Torah and ways of conduct.
His passing did not come in a vacuum but left a strong imprint for generations to come, leaving behind his illustrious son, HaRav Chaim Berlin. In a sort of will and testament for the coming generations, the day before his demise on the 13th of Tishrei, 5673, HaRav Chaim Berlin gave over a message, as meticulously recorded by his close associate, HaGaon R' Arye Levine, a message which, according to its content was apparently written out close to the events themselves. They appear as relevant today or in these times, as they were 133 years ago.
"For a memorial, what my father warned and commanded me before his passing regarding what he sacrificed his life for concerning Yeshivas Volozhin, was not to allow any secular studies whatsoever, which is the reason why the yeshiva was closed down and what caused him to sicken, pine away and never recover. He warned and exhorted me not to introduce any secular study under any circumstances or permission whatsoever. He said that Hashem hinted this in the Torah, as is written, 'To differentiate between the holy and the profane,' meaning not to mingle anything, of any sort, that was not holy with what was sacred.
"Not only in such cases do secular matters attain a modicum of sanctity, but even matters of purity became tainted thereby. Therefore, my son, do not let yourself deplore that this caused me to leave this world and close down the yeshiva, for this was vital enough for me to sacrifice my life for it. He transmitted this to me before his passing on the Tuesday, 27th of Menachem Av, 5653 in Warsaw."
At the funeral of the Netziv, his eminent son, HaRav Chaim Berlin, eulogized him before a crowd of tens of thousands and said: "Our rabbonim told what the young kohanim did at the time of the Destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash. They gathered in groups, holding the keys to the Mikdosh and declared: 'Ribono shel Olam! Since we were not worthy of serving as treasurers before You, we hereby return the keys to You.' And they flung the keys up to the skies. A heavenly hand suddenly appeared and received the keys."
His next words were very fearsome. "Here, the Mikdosh of Volozhin has been destroyed and the key to the yeshiva, my father and master, had nothing left in life. A heavenly Hand of fire has descended to take you from our midst."
His workmate in the leadership of the yeshiva, his mechuton, the Beis HaLevi, also passed away as a result of that dreadful decree, as the story goes: In the winter of 5652, the government order to include secular studies in the Volozhin Yeshiva schedule, the Netziv called for an emergency meeting to deal with the issue. The entire yeshiva administrative staff was present, including, the Beis Halevi and, of course, the Netziv's son, HaRav Chaim Berlin; the Netziv's son-in-law, HaRav Refael Shapira and his son-in-law, HaRav Chaim of Brisk who served as rosh yeshiva alongside his grandfather. Also present were the yeshiva treasurers and many other renowned Torah leaders and city rabbonim.
Together they sat to hear the details of the edict which they understood to be, in effect, the closing down of the yeshiva. It should be noted that Yeshivas Volozhin was the very supporting pillar of all of Jewry in that generation.
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When the Chofetz Chaim would review events that had taken place, he used to add a incisive and insightful message: "If they had capitulated and introduced secular studies in Yeshivas Volozhin, Torah would have been forgotten, chas vesholom, from Jewry. But because they decided to stand resolute and not give in or compromise, Torah found itself other new channels and pathways. Also other places of Torah were established during that period which became the bastions of Torah of our generation. That is the nature of a fountain: if it is plugged up in one place, it bursts forth in another place and its waters spout forth anew from there" (Chofetz Chaim on Torah, Parshas Eikev).
These words deserve to be repeated and contemplated upon, especially in our times. We need not plan or advise Hashem on ways and means to preserve Torah and guard the world of the holy yeshivos. The harsh decrees enacted against us by the government cannot hurt the Torah itself, because under any situation or condition, the Torah will find a way and course to continue on.
What is expected of us is to carry on full force in the tried and true way of the yeshivos, not veering or straying away whatsoever, through toil in sanctified Torah study and yiras Shomayim as has been the tradition throughout the ages.
We firmly hope that the forces of evil will dissipate like smoke and will not succeed in their nefarious schemes to uproot or annul Torah from Jewry. And may the Torah world which will shortly resume for the renewed Elul session continue to flourish and expand with the help of Hashem many times over.
