THE BATTLE FOR "SHALOM" - part 5

. . . Yet, on the other hand, Klal Yisroel itself, our lay leaders and baalei batim should and do see things differently. They see it from their standpoint, their Avodah and their mission and the overwhelming burden of our Roshei Yeshiva is not something which they can or should be willing to accept.

This writer remembers clearly the hesped of Rav Pinchus Teitz zt'l at the Rosh Yeshiva’s L’vayah. Rav Teitz cried out in anguish that we can’t let it happen any more. Klal Yisroel must do more to lighten the burden of our Roshei Yeshiva - to spare their honor, their “learning and teaching” time, and yes, their very health! He called out with great emotion: “Fun a Shverer Rambam Krigt Min Nisht Kein Hartz Attack!” “One doesn’t get a heart attack from [trying to answer] a difficult Rambam!”

Similarly, Yibodeil L’chayim Tovim Reb Avrohom Fruchthandler of Mesivta Reb Chaim Berlin chaired a parlor meeting for Lakewood not long after the p’tirah of Rav Schneur zt'l. At that time he said that his rebbi Rav Yitzchok Hutner zt'l once commented, that when Reb Aharon will come to the next world “ehr vet munnin” - he will claim entry and reward because he suffered bizyonos for Torah.... Reb Avrohom then went on to say: We baalei batim should also hope to have a claim; we should hope to be able to say before the Bais Din Shel Ma’aloh /Heavenly Court/ that we too deserve entry and reward because we carried the burden and didn’t allow the Roshei Yeshiva to suffer bizyonos].

But of course whether raising funds or otherwise the Rosh Yeshiva zt'l was a savlon, ad ktzei ho’acharon, to the ultimate degree:

“People considered the Rosh Yeshiva a Gibor when it came to Ruchnius” said Rav Shmuel Feivelson shlita “a strong person”. “Yes, he was strong: B’ainiy Ro’isi Ub’ozniy Shoma’ti-I once was there and saw with my own eyes an example of his Gevuroh-his strength. A man was standing and ziddling (berating) the Rosh Yeshiva-for ten, fifteen minutes straight! Ziddling and Ziddling. Ich hub gimeint ich gei arois fun di keilim - I could not take it! But the Rosh Yeshiva just sat there quietly. He didn’t say a word! It seems he held that this was the proper thing to do at that time for the sake of Torah-to maintain Sholom, and he didn’t react at all. Yes it was Gvuroh-strength-the Gvuroh of Shtikoh-keeping silent when necessary” (Yom Hazikoron).

Yes, maintaining Shalom requires Savlonus.

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