“What can I tell the Ribbono shel Olam?” he wondered

This week, Yeshiva Darchei Torah of Far Rockaway held their 50th annual dinner. Known for their dedication and personalized attention to each student, the yeshivah is a leading institution in today’s Torah world. In his speech, Rav Yaakov Bender, the rosh yeshivah, shared the story of one rebbi’s wholehearted devotion and the miracle that happened in its wake.

Rabbi Binyomin Wielgus is Darchei Torah’s legendary eighth-grade rebbi. Approximately 20 years ago, Rabbi Wielgus was suffering from failing vision and underwent emergency surgery. Later, he revealed what had happened prior to the operation.

“What can I tell the Ribbono shel Olam?” he wondered. Rabbi Wielgus began mentally began reviewing his talmidim from over the years, and whispered a tefillah to Hashem.

“Ribbono shel Olam,” he said, “Moishy needed some extra help so I learned with him twice a week at night, and Yanky needed a new set of clothing and I arranged for that to happen.” And in that vein, he listed the names of his various talmidim, describing how he had been there for them, as their rebbi, their father, their inspiration.

“Ribbono shel Olam,” he concluded, “give me back my eyesight so I can continue being there for my talmidim.”

The surgery was successful and Rabbi Wielgus returned to the classroom, once again able to look at the beaming faces of his talmidim and the brilliant futures he foresaw for each of them.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 945)