HaRav Chizkiyohu Yosef Mishkovsky
We heard the following from the mashgiach of Yeshivas Orchos Chaim, HaRav Chizkiyohu Yosef Mishkovsky,:
"Many years ago, I spent several Yom Kippur days in the Kollel Chazon Ish. In one of those years, after Musaf and the avoda of the Kohen Godol, I noticed that the gaze of the Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Shteinman, swept the room, as if he was looking for someone to whom he wished to speak.
"When I approached him, he turned to me and said: When the Kohen Godol emerged from the Kodesh Hakodoshim, he would only say a short prayer so as not to disconcert the public, as is described in the gemora in Yoma. These words revolved around the rains of the coming year: that they be plentiful and that the Jewish people would not have to support themselves one from another nor from other nations — among other material issues. Indeed? Yes.
"From here we learn the fundamental principal attributed to HaRav Yisroel Salanter, that the material welfare of another Jew is your own spiritual welfare and more. In other words, the concern for the body of Jewry and for the individual Jew was reflected by our leaders even on Yom Kippur."
This is what the Rosh Yeshiva, the Ayeles Hashachar, said in one of his rousing Elul talks. "We must be aware that one of the good and necessary things that can be beneficial on the Day of Judgment is to be generously forgiving. If one conducts himself towards others leniently instead of strictly, he, too, will be judged more leniently than others. Thus, it is important to work on being forgiving, to feel humble.
"The very reason why a person gets angry when something goes wrong is due to pride; he lacks humility and lowliness and stands up self-importantly for his rights. But the more he is submissive, the happier he will be and reach a level where he is judged according to a different standard.
On Rosh Hashonoh, the chumros, stringencies, which he imposed upon the minyan in his home for the shofar blowing were based on interpersonal relations. For example, not to require the shofar blower to repeat sequences so as not to trouble him too much. On the other hand, when it was necessary, he did require repetition to ease the conscience of the public.
The Rosh Yeshiva, HaRav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz, related:
"I head from HaRav Meir Shapira, Mashgiach of Yeshivas Nachalas Dovid, who learned in Yeshivas Knesses Yisroel in Chevron, that one year, in Elul, the Saba of Slobodka dwelled on the deep importance of people's actions towards each other to the point that one could not bear to stand in judgment on Rosh Hashonoh, so fearful he made it. Indeed, his audience was seized with terror to such a point that this particular Elul went down in the yeshiva annals as the 'Black Elul'.
On the eve of Rosh Hashonoh, when the Saba was not in the habit of giving a talk, he did speak that year to the talmidim on that subject with even greater acuity, adding at the end: "So how can one survive the Yom HaDin correctly? Only with a smile on one's face preceded with a 'Good morning' greeting and words of encouragement to a friend. Such actions can place a person in good standing in his judgment."
In another talk we find that the Saba of Slobodka dwells on the purpose of Rosh Hashonoh which is to attempt to emulate Hashem in His traits; just as He is merciful, compassionate and full of kindness, so must one also be! How? To think of another, help another etc.
We declare in the piyut of the prayers, that 'He is good and beneficial to the wicked and the righteous ones.' We, too, must seek to help others in general, regardless of their status. Even more: we must try to see only the good in our fellow man and judge everyone favorably.
HaRav Michel Yehuda pointed out the source of this principle in Chazal who teach: 'When a person leaves this world, he is asked: Did you crown your Creator morning and evening? Did you crown your neighbor with pleasantness?" Chazal bound up the 'coronation' of the Creator together with that of one's fallow man since they are intertwined.
It is told of HaRav Michel Yehuda himself, that when many people gathered in his home before Rosh Hashonoh and even on the eve of Rosh Hashonoh itself, he would greet each one with a glowing expression and would turn to individuals and inquire as to their welfare.
At the end of the prayers, he would seek the baalei tefillah and the one who blew the shofar to thank them for their fine service.
In his last year, on Rosh Hashonoh, hundreds or thousands passed before him, among them one person whom he knew was very ill, and tried to lift up his spirits, saying, "You are a Kohen, I know. Please bless me.'
The man stood erect and very emotionally, began intoning the priestly blessing over him. The place was silent, also deeply moved by the scene, answering with a rousing 'Amen' when he finished. HaRav Michel Yehuda thanked him profusely and heaped many blessings of his upon him.
*
One time on erev Rosh Hashonoh some people from one of the villages around Radin came to ask one of the talmidim, who was known as a good speaker, to come to them and speak before tekias shofar. The talmid refused, even after they offered him significant compensation. He wanted to stay in the yeshiva and in the presence of the Chofetz Chaim during the Days of Awe.
The villagers went to the Chofetz Chaim himself to ask him to convince his talmid to go with them. The Chofetz Chaim asked the talmid why he was refusing to do a favor for these Jews. The talmid replied that he did not want to leave the yeshiva and his rebbe during these holy days. The Chofetz Chaim replied, "One must remember that man was not created just for himself. He must help others!"
After this, the talmid agreed to go to the villagers.
*
HaRav Chaim Brim told about his rebbe, HaRav Isser Zalman Meltzer, that during his last Yom Kippur he did not feel well. He asked one of the talmidim to bring him a pillow so that he could lie down in one of the side rooms. The pillow was brought, but after a short rest he returned to the beis medrash. He was asked why he did not lie down longer.
He replied that as soon as he put his head down he saw that he did not feel better, but rather felt worse. But if he went back right away, the talmid who brought his pillow might feel that his efforts went to naught. So with an effort he lay down for a short time so as not to cause pain to that talmid.
