Rav Chaim’s passing on Shushan Purim carries many more levels of meaning

This year’s Shushan Purim marks two years since Klal Yisrael lost its urim v’tumim. It is not for us to decipher, but Rav Chaim Kanievsky’s passing on Shushan Purim may very well reflect the essence of who he was. While Purim is generally observed on the 14th of Adar, those who live within “walled cities” observe it on the 15th of Adar — known as Shushan Purim. Rav Chaim’s hometown of Bnei Brak is not a walled city, yet Rav Chaim, like his uncle the Chazon Ish, would observe Shushan Purim in addition to Purim — a stringency due to Bnei Brak’s proximity to Yafo, a walled city.

He did not live in a walled city but conducted himself as if he did. While he lived in our world, walls seemed to separate him from all of society, and, within the confines of these walls, there dwelt a kedushah the force of which no one can contemplate.

Rav Chaim’s passing on Shushan Purim carries many more levels of meaning. Rav Achi Shalom Cohen shlita, a close confidant of Rav Chaim, relates that Rav Chaim would interpret the dictum of Mishenichnas Adar marbin b’simchah to allude to the study of Torah. When Adar arrives, one should increase in joy — in Rav Chaim’s world, or within Rav Chaim’s walls, that meant increasing Torah study.

He was consistent in this perspective. Rav Achi Shalom shares that a family once approached Rav Chaim and requested a brachah for their father, who was suffering from depression and would not get out of bed.

“The pasuk says, ‘Pikudei Hashem yesharim, mesamchei lev — Torah gladdens the heart,’ ” Rav Chaim told them. “Learn with your father. Learn with him every day.”

The family followed this advice, and slowly, they began to see its effect. The depression ultimately lifted and the father, charged with the power of “Pikudei Hashem,” was able to return to life as normal.

Rav Chaim is now in Shamayim, and these past three years were noticeably emptier than the preceding 94. But forever we will remember the man who blessed us, taught us, and guided us, without ever leaving those walls brimming with Torah, kedushah, and so much simchah.

Happening In... Nevada

At the chanukas habayis for the Yeshiva Day School of Las Vegas, the elegant menu cleverly — and playfully, given that it was just several days before Purim — highlighted the Torah-themed event.

The Lens

Every siyum is special, and the one held in Torah Links of South Jersey last Sunday evening was no exception — particularly because it was 17 years in the making.

Mr. Steve Frankel of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Rabbi Meir Cooper of Lakewood had begun learning Mishnayos weekly over a decade and a half ago when a young Meir Cooper spent his summer in Cherry Hill as a participant in Torah Umesorah’s Project SEED. Week after week, the pair continued their long-distance learning sessions, and this past Sunday night, the two met once again in person for their joint siyum on all six Sidrei Mishnah.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 1004)