DEVELOPING TORAH VALUES - part 4

“The Rosh Yeshiva was the Godol Hador, and Manhig Hador - the greatest Torah scholar and leader of his time. The entire Yiddishe world in America and in Eretz Yisroel was led by him. Yet, his apartment was furnished with old chairs that didn’t match. There was an old worn out couch in another room... It’s a pity we can no longer see his apartment, it would have been a “Mofeis Ldoros” - a lesson for generations!” (Reb Chaim Epstein - Yom Hazikoron - Lakewood Yeshiva)

[Interestingly enough this writer was given by Rav Schneur zt'l the chair used by the Rosh Yeshiva in his Bais Medrash office. Of course the office was used mostly for learning but at times the Rosh Yeshiva received visitors there too. Probably the chair was in good condition when initially brought to the office but it has not been used since the Rosh Yeshiva’s passing and looks today like it looked then . . . battered and decrepit with the seat pad worn and torn at the edge. But to the Rosh Yeshiva it obviously served its purpose and therefore . . . it was fine!]

Of course the Rosh Yeshiva had no personal interest in nice looking furniture, but it was more than that; he opposed it. In fact, as will be brought elsewhere, the Rosh Yeshiva adamantly resisted the attempts of several well meaning baalei batim to replace his old furniture with something a bit nicer and in better condition, commenting “It’s a crime to squander Jewish money...”

Rav Ahron Zuckerman relates that he was told two reasons for this from different baalei batim and it seems that the Rosh Yeshiva mentioned both of them one time or another. One reason was: how can I enjoy nice looking furniture when there are Jews who don’t have food to eat! [Rav Yosef Kaufman shlita heard it phrased in the following words: “Kol Zman es iz doh ein yid in der velt vos hut nisht tzu essen ken ich azoi nisht lebben”! As long as there is even one Jew in the world who doesn’t have food to eat I can’t live that way!”] The other reason he gave was that he is trying to teach a non-materialistic lifestyle..

It should be pointed out that materialism is a relative term. No one today can be expected to live with furnishings like those found in the home of the Chofetz Chaim, nor did the Rosh Yeshiva expect everyone to match his degree of bitul hagashmius - negation of materialism. For that matter it is doubtful if a yeshiva today could attract bochurim and command the respect due to Torah if it were housed and furnished like Radiner Yeshiva of old. The Rosh Yeshiva himself planned the present Bais Medrash building and it is well built, large and comfortable.

Nevertheless the Rosh Yeshiva did try hard to teach a non materialistic life style; a life style of histapkus b’muot, satisfaction with only the minimum practical physical amenities; a life style where fulfillment and satisfaction derive from spiritual accomplishments; a life style consonant with an awareness of Hashem V’Toroso, of Tachlis Hachayim, the real purpose of our life on earth, a life style of a Ben Olom Habo - an Olom Habo Yid who lives for and connects to netzach nitzochim - everlasting life - eternity. And in this, his home and the Yeshiva of that era can serve as a beacon of light for future generations.

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“It is well known that “histapkus”, being satisfied with just the basics, is one of the greatest attributes. The Vilna Gaon writes (in “Even Shlaimoh”) that this quality is even more necessary than bitachon (trust that Hashem provides) to acquire Torah. One aspect of histapkus is to train oneself to be satisfied with little and not run after “bigger and better” in food, in clothing etc. Nevertheless, at this level, one still feels that he is missing something. An even higher level is “Someach B’chelko” - To be happy with whatever one has — without being bothered because of what he does not possess; without even feeling he is missing anything. The highest level of all, however, is the attribute of “Yeish Li Kol”, feeling that he has everything; that there is nothing more [materially] that he could even want. This is what [Hashem meant when he said to Avrohom Ovinu] v’heyei tomim - be whole, perfect - lacking nothing.” (Mishnas Rav Aharon, Vol. 3 Ma’amar “Kol Mitzvoh Shekiblu Aleihem B’simchah” p. 123 in first ed.)

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