At that moment, I saw just how much love our gedolim have for Torah

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round two decades ago, my family was blessed to have the aged rosh yeshivah of Yeshivas Torah Ore and one of Klal Yisrael’s senior poskim, Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg ztz”l, spend a few Shabbosos in our home. While hundreds of Yidden lined up around the block to receive a brachah from the elderly gadol, the purpose of his visit was to raise much-needed funds to keep the yeshivah and kollel afloat.

One day, I received a call from a very wealthy philanthropist in the community. He was willing to contribute to the yeshivah, but hinged his contribution on the privilege of having the Rosh Yeshivah visit his new home.

I responded emphatically that the Rosh Yeshivah was almost 100 years old at the time, and that having him visit the philanthropist was impossible. But when the Rosh Yeshivah heard, he protested very strongly. He explained that at his advanced age, he couldn’t really give shiur the way he used to, nor learn the way he used to. But what he could do he said, was collect money to help build Torah, and he was fully prepared to do whatever was necessary to do so.

When we arrived at the man’s house, which was indeed magnificent, he took the Rosh Yeshivah out onto his veranda with a breathtaking view of the bay.

“Isn’t this beautiful?” he said to the Rosh Yeshivah.

The Rosh Yeshivah nodded, but after the host stepped away, the Rosh Yeshivah whispered softly to himself, “Yes, it is beautiful, but not as beautiful as Abaye and Rava!”

It was obvious that what he was saying came from the depths of his neshamah. At that moment, I saw just how much love our gedolim have for Torah, and that it is a love that transcends any other love for anything else in the world.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 984)