Rav Yitzchok Shlomo Zilberman zt”l Father of the Zilberman Method

became a favored talmid of its rosh , for most of his life, although he earned his Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel. livelihood as a sofer. With regard to When he came of age, Rav Zilberman learning, he espoused following the precise Rav Yitzchok Shlomo Zilberman was the father of a married the daughter of Rav Yom Tov Zlot- guidelines of Chazal in Pirkei Avos: A child unique educational method that bears his name and nick, in a shidduch arranged by the Chazon should begin learning Tanach at the age of is quite popular. In honor of his twentieth yahrtzeit, Ish. He settled in Shaare Chessed, near his fa- five, Mishnah at ten, and Gemara at fifteen. I met with his son, Rav Yom Tov Zilberman, to learn ther-in-law’s home, and quickly became one In the Zilberman cheder, the children begin of the most prominent residents of the neigh- learning Tanach in first grade and commit about the origin of the method and about many of borhood. He went on to open Torah five sedorim of mishnayos to memory before the other highlights of his life—including his success Kaminetz, which quickly developed an ex- their graduation. The sixth seder of mishnay- at turning some of the members of ’s bohemi- cellent reputation, but when his recommen- os is learned during their first year ofyeshiva . dations regarding the derech halimud were ketana. an society into baalei teshuvah Chief among them, not accepted there, he opened another school, Today, Rav Zilberman’s method is em- of course, is Rav Uri Zohar. Talmud Torah Hadar Tzion, which went on to ployed in various Israeli chadorim and in become the largest cheder in Yerushalayim. schools in other countries as well, in locales Rav Zilberman was profoundly humble. as diverse as Lakewood, Montreal, and South The general public became aware of him af- Africa. Many schools have also adopted por- By Tzvi Yaakovson rebbi of the famed Rav Uri Zohar. It was Rav ter a dreadful tragedy in the month of Chesh- tions of the Zilberman system. The Zichru Yitzchok Shlomo Zilberman who influenced van 5749/1988, when his daughter, Rachel model, which integrates elements of the Zil- You have probably heard of the Zilber- Uri to return to his Jewish roots, and Rav Uri Weiss, and her three sons—Nesanel, Refoel, berman method with some components of a man method of chinuch, along with its off- Zohar still views Rav Zilberman as his spiri- and Ephraim—were murdered by terrorists. more standard program, was developed by shoot, the “Zichru method.” The father of the tual guide. When he speaks about him—as The family had been traveling on a bus from Rav Moshe Kletzkin, a talmid of Rav Zilber- Zilberman method was Rav Yitzchok Shlo- he often does—Rav Uri’s eyes sparkle with Teveria to Yerushalayim that was ambushed man. mo Zilberman. Today, there is a community pleasure. and set ablaze; Rachel and her children were “Today, my father’s educational method of talmidim of Rav Zilberman in the Old City The Zichru and Zilberman methods are trapped in the vehicle and burned to death. is in high demand,” Rav Yitzchok Shlomo’s of Yerushalayim. There are also numerous products of a great man’s vision. Rav Yitz- Rav Zilberman’s hesped for his daughter son, Rav Yom Tov Zilberman, related. “Par- chadorim throughout the country where the chok Shlomo Zilberman was born in Berlin and grandchildren was widely publicized. ents have seen its success; they have observed method is practiced. This week marks Rav and lost his mother at a young age. Together He moved to the Old City of Yerushalayim that the children who learn in these schools Zilberman’s twentieth yahrtzeit, which is a with his father and brothers, he moved to sometime after the incident. become highly knowledgeable, and they fitting time for a look at his life and accom- England and then resettled in before Rav Zilberman passed away on 18 Adar want the same for their own children.” Rav plishments. the founding of the state. He was one of the Rishon 5761. At the levayah, he was eulo- Yom Tov is the oldest son of Rav Yitzchok The Zilberman method, in a nutshell, is earliest talmidim in and gized by Rav , Rav Nosson Shlomo Zilberman and was the first person the system of learning propounded by the had a close relationship with Rav Shlomo Tzvi Finkel, and Rav Uri Zohar, among other to be educated under the Zilberman system. Vilna Gaon and the Maharal. And while his Zalman Auerbach. He later became one of prestigious rabbonim. “I was the first talmid in the Kaminetz el- educational method is one of his claims to the first talmidim in Yeshivas Mir after it Rav Zilberman described himself as a ementary school when it opened on Rechov fame, many people have heard of Rav Zilber- took up residence in Yerushalayim, and he melamed, an occupation that he pursued Yechezkel. The program in the school was man for another reason as well: He was the

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based on the Maharal’s method,” Rav Yom the children who learn in this cheder.” Tov explained. His father subsequently left Kaminetz and brought his method to Hadar As far as you are concerned, that joy Tzion. “My father brought rabbeim to Ka- is a positive outgrowth of your meth- minetz who would teach in accordance with od, but it wasn’t the initial purpose. his approach. They included Rav Yitzchok The method wasn’t developed in or- Dzimitrovski, Rav Zundel Kreuzer, and Rav der to cultivate joy in learning. Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg, along with “That is correct,” he confirmed. “The other prominent names.” Rav Yom Tov re- goal was to design an educational system vealed that he himself was the impetus for that would meet the requirements of halacha. the development of the Zilberman method. The children feel fulfilled because they sense “My father used to conduct painstaking, thor- that they have mastered the material.” ough research about everything he did, and You mentioned that the Zilberman the mitzvah of educating his children was no method follows the Maharal. I had exception. He took nothing for granted, and been under the impression that it he insisted on researching the proper way to was the Vilna Gaon’s method. perform that mitzvah. He consulted with the “The Maharal preceded the Gaon by gedolim, and they advised him to bring back about 200 years, and he vigorously protested the glory days of Torah learning in the early the fact that children were not being taught in years by reviving the guidelines taught to us the manner prescribed by Chazal. The Ma- by Chazal.” haral writes that he was alerted to this issue after learning Shaar HaTorah in the Orchos Tzaddikim. The Shelah, the Chavos Yair, and The Natural many other predecessors of the Vilna Gaon likewise protested the deviations from the Method traditional derech halimud. Nevertheless, it Rav Yom Tov offered an analogy to il- was the Vilna Gaon himself, the rebbi of all lustrate his father’s method. “When someone of Klal Yisroel over the past 200 years, who eats completely natural food, he feels good. resurrected the style of learning taught by He may not be able to enjoy the flavors of Chazal.” Pesach Hotels- processed goodies, but he is filling his body Can we buy and sell the Schar of Mitzvos? LegacyG-d sent, of G-d Rav forbid, Dovid or somewhere Solovaitchik in between with nourishing, healthy food. The same can What are the basic guidelines of this Does being a liberal be said of our style of learning. After all is What didA portion Brisk bringin Olam to Haba? the world? method? The 8 halachik questions you should  be  asking said and done, we learn with great thorough- “The children must learn all of Tanach Brisk: Whatconflictthe Mashgiach exactly before waswith you the signbeing ‘new’ up derech ness and in accordance with the instructions first, followed by the entirety of the Mish- WhatCan Mitzvos was the be ‘new’ bought derech and sold? of Can you Chaim pay of Chazal.” nah, and then the entire Shas, with copious ofa Reb TorahWhy wasn’tChaimsomeone there Jew? Brisker? anto OUtake onIs yourany liberalismWhat Pesach Aveiros? areprograms the key “It is the ultimate source of pleasure. It review.” of Brisk? Whatthe last was few years?the message of might be more difficult, but only at the out- CanHow either pesach partyin a hotel rescind can enhance the deal your Pesach..andin Bais Din? set. For a talmid who practices this style of Would it be fair to say that your ap-  points againstBriskRav Dovid has brought Halacha?Soloveitchik? to the world? learning, it is highly enjoyable. It brings him proach is at once extremely tradition- how it can destroy your Pesach. pleasure, and it is good for his soul. al and highly innovative?  “Most of the parents who are interested in Rav Yom Tov did not agree with that as- the Zilberman method are not motivated by sessment. “It is the mesorah of Chazal. The the fact that they saw in halacha or the Shul- gedolim have taught us for many generations chan Aruch that it is the correct approach,” that this is the proper way to acquire Torah he added. “It is simply that they want to give knowledge.” their children the best possible education. A couple from Har Nof once came to register Did the Amoraim learn in this fash- their son in our school, and I asked them why ion? they had chosen it. What made them decide “Yes. This method was practiced by the to send their child all the way across Yerusha- Amoraim and the Tannaim. It appears in the layim for his schooling? They replied, ‘We Mishnah in Pirkei Avos, where Chazal stipu- watched our neighbor’s son going to cheder late that a child should begin learning Tanach every day with extraordinary pleasure, with at the age of five, Mishnah at the age of ten, his eyes shining with joy, and we decided and Gemara at the age of fifteen. The talmi- that we wanted to send our son to the same dim learn in this order and review the materi- school. This is the cheder that their son at- al extensively until their knowledge is solid.” tends!’ The husband began explaining to his wife about the Maharal’s system of learn- Is that the essence of the Zilberman method? ing, but she wasn’t even interested in hearing “Yes. The purpose of the method is to ful- about it. From her perspective, the main con- fill themitzvah of learning Torah precisely as sideration was the bliss that she observed in it is described in Shas and poskim.”

21 Adar 5781 | March 5, 2021 31 In practice, what does that mean? It is only natural that a child who has spent (Megillah 3a). The same statement is made in enormous clout in all the yeshivos. He once “It means learning Chumash well and re- most of his time learning Chumash, Navi, and the Sefer Hachinuch and in the introduction said to my father, ‘You want parnossah? Pick viewing it, precisely as the Chinuch states. Mishnayos will be unable to compete with a to the Shulchan Aruch written by the Vilna any job you want; you can even become a The children are taught the simple meaning boy who has been learning Gemara for most Gaon’s children.” dayan.’ But my father didn’t want to take him of every posuk. The Maharal was the first of his years in cheder. The Zichru schools up on that.” person to try to remedy the situation that therefore follow the Zilberman method, al- Is it part of the mitzvah of talmud prevailed in his day, and he was followed by beit with a much heavier focus on Gemara in Torah? What would be wrong with making the Shelah, who was the rebbi of the entire the seventh and eighth grades.” “Of course. It is part of learning Torah. a living as a dayan or a mechanech? Ashkenazic community. Perhaps you should The Gemara also states in Nedarim that chil- That would also be a form of parnos- quote him on this subject.” What about the Zilberman cheder it- dren should be taught the trop.” sah! self? How do your talmidim manage “My father decided that integrity required I understand that the Zilberman to get into yeshiva ketanah? The trop is the melody of the Torah. him to work for a living. He considered it his schools do not have bein hazemanim. “We have our own yeshiva ketanah, and “Chumash and Novi each have distinct duty to Hashem and to his fellow men. And “That is correct. Our talmidim learn every we have a yeshiva gedolah as well. Any melodies. This is the way they were learned as I said, he sparked a major upheaval in the day of the year; there are no vacations.” talmid therefore has the opportunity to fol- throughout the generations. The notes of the world of safrus.” low this method throughout his years of trop are part of our mesorah.” And you also believe that the chil- learning.” dren should learn Mishnayos instead How did your father develop this ap- of Gemara. proach? Where did he get all of his Meeting “No,” Rav Yom Tov corrected me. “We ideas? Rav Uri Zohar do not replace Gemara with Mishnayos. We A Sofer & “He used to examine and research every- About fifty years ago, Rav Yitzchok Shlo- simply follow the order dictated by Pirkei an Educator thing. He never took anything for granted. He mo Zilberman was one of the first pioneers of Avos.” Rav Yom Tov Zilberman was sitting in a wasn’t original; he simply remained faithful the kiruv movement. Many subsequent baa- small room containing a bookcase filled with to all the sources. I remember that when I lei teshuvah followed a path blazed for them Wouldn’t you say that the extra years seforim, Standard Yerushalmi hats hung from was a child, he spent a long time analyzing by the people who were influenced by Rav of learning Mishnayos and Tanach hooks on the wall. In the background, I could the first of the Aseres Hadibros, the posuk Zilberman to return to Yiddishkeit. come at the expense of learning Ge- hear the voices of children learning in the that states, ‘Anochi Hashem Elokecha.’ He mara? cheder. Rav Yom Tov practically lives and was striving to understand if it conveyed an How did your father make the con- “Not at all. As I said, we are simply fol- breathes the Zilberman method; he is com- obligation, a mitzvah, or something else. He nection with those firstbaalei teshu- lowing the order taught to us by Chazal.” pletely devoted to his father’s legacy. This is didn’t merely observe mitzvos; he had to un- vah? a trait that is shared by the entire family; Rav derstand the reason and the basis of every- Rav Yom Tov smiled. “It was purely min In which area of the Torah do the Yom Tov sang his brothers’ praises while try- thing. We didn’t merely ‘happen’ to be born haShomayim. One of the earliest baalei te- talmidim of the Zilberman cheder ing to downplay his own role in the family Jewish, and we aren’t meant to observe the shuvah, at a time when the teshuvah move- excel? In Chumash, Navi, Mishnah, enterprise. Of course, he maintains that the mitzvos purely out of habit.” ment was in its infancy, was Rav Yitzchok or Gemara? method practiced in the Zilberman cheder ‘Ika’ Yisraeli. In a stroke of hashgochah pra- “They must excel in Chumash and Mish- Did he study all these things on his and its sister schools in the Zichru network is tis, he rented an apartment from Rav Dovid nah, because that is what they learn. Gemara own, or did he consult with others? Auerbach, the brother of Rav Shlomo Zalman comes at a later age.” ultimately the correct style of learning. “Go “Both.” to the courtyard of the Talmud Torah, pick a Auerbach, on Rechov HaShalah in the neigh- child at random, and test him on Tanach,” he borhood of Shaarei Chessed, near my father’s It is hard for me to believe that re- Whom did he speak with? home. Rav Dovid moved to Bayit Vegan, and ligious children in Israel today do suggested. “You will be impressed with the “Rav , for in- Ika settled in the neighborhood. Naturally, not learn Gemara at all during their results.” stance.” many of his friends who were also ‘looking cheder years. “That is the way it is done in our cheder in Rav Uri Zohar tells me that when Because they were neighbors? for answers’ began finding their way to his the Old City. In other Talmudei Torah, which his nephew learned in the Zilber- “That was one reason, but it was mainly door. They once asked my father a question, follow the Zichru version of our method, the man cheder, he was able to sing the because he was Rav Shlomo Zalman’s talmid and he responded with a cogent answer. This children begin learning Gemara earlier. Our trop of any posuk in Sefer Yeshayahu in Kol Torah. After that, he would ask the led to more exchanges, and they bombarded system and the Zichru method both originat- and the boy would be able to identify roshei yeshiva in Mir. He always sought to him with all the typical questions that a chi- ed in the same place. Rav Moshe Kletzkin, it, even if he did not pronounce the develop connections with gedolim. He cul- loni tends to ask without receiving answers: words. who heads the Zichru network, learned under tivated many relationships with the gedolei ‘Who says that Hashem exists? Who says “He is referring to Gad, the son of Rav Ika my father, and the idea for his system came Torah who came to him to order sifrei Torah, that there is an Olam Haba?’ The only person Yisraeli,” Rav Yom Tov confirmed. from my father.” tefillin, or mezuzos. You know, fifty years ago who was able to answer them was my father, it was considered a lowly occupation to work since he had already researched these ques- What is the purpose of that skill? tions for his own benefit, and he already had I understand that the Zichru method “There is no purpose to that particular as a sofer. It was like being a shammash in a is a modified version of your own ap- the answers completely laid out.” ability,” Rav Yom Tov replied. “It is simply shul; many people considered it beneath their proach. But doesn’t that mean that dignity. But my father preferred to make a the result of reviewing Yeshayahu to the point How did he come in contact with Rav it falls short of what you want to ac- living through hard work rather than taking that the knowledge is soaked into the child’s Uri Zohar? complish? money for learning Torah.” “The Zichru system is meant to deal with mind. Chazarah is at the heart of our learning “First, he came in contact with Rav Mor- the issue of yeshiva ketanah,” Rav Yom Tov method; we understand that knowledge is the I have heard that he was very original dechai Arnon, who was considered a wun- explained. “Many parents want to send their product of extensive review.” in the area of safrus as well. derkind in Tel Aviv, through Ika. My father children to an excellent yeshiva ketanah, and “That is correct. The truth is that my fa- spoke very forcefully to him, and he disap- Why do the talmidim have to learn peared for a few months and then returned. they fear that the children’s knowledge of the trop at all? ther could have had any rabbinic position Gemara will not be adequate at their inter- that he wanted. Dr. Jung, the president of He said that my father’s words had pierced “The Gemara states that the trop should his heart and were giving him no rest.” views if they follow the Zilberman method. be studied along with the pesukim themselves the Joint, was his second cousin, and he had

Rav Yitzchok Shlomo Zilberman with Rav Uri Zohar. Rav Yom Tov Zilberman with his brother, Rav Eliyahu Zilberman.

32 21 Adar 5781 | March 5, 2021 Dancing at a siyum at the cheder. At a siyum on Chumash Bereishis at the cheder.

Did your father speak very harshly to ? Was he capable of laughing? with him, and he listened respectfully to people? “Yes. At that sheva brachos, my father “Yes, but he always remained completely every opinion and examined it to determine “No, but he was relentless. He spoke claimed that he could prove that the To- composed. He was dedicated to every person if it was correct. He would study every is- about the truth and about the things it obli- rah is true, and therefore that we are bound and his heart was open to everyone, but ev- sue that arose as if it was the first time it had gates us to do. It was very hard to resist him. to observe it even today. Uri Zohar argued erything he did was accompanied by absolute ever come up. When a chiloni person came to He was a master debater and was very pow- with him vigorously. He was a very serious serenity.” him, he would say, ‘I am prepared to put my erful in conversation. The fundamentals of person even at the time, and he demanded, yarmulke on the table, and let’s see which of Yiddishkeit were incredibly clear to him, and ‘Do you know what it means to prove some- us convinces the other. If you convince me, I he felt compelled to enlighten others as well. thing? How can you say that you can prove will leave the yarmulke there. If I convince “After Ika Yisraeli’s marriage,” Rav Yom that?’ My father insisted that he could prove Rav Yechezkel you, then you will begin wearing a yarmulke.’ Tov continued, “a sheva brachos was or- scientifically that the Torah is true, and Uri Abramsky’s “A certain reporter who wrote for a news- ganized for him in the home of Rav Aryeh Zohar refused to believe him. ‘Do you know paper called Chadashot once entered into a Yitzchok, who was also a prominent baal anything about science?’ he exclaimed. They Ruling lengthy debate with my father. They argued for three months, and the reporter finally con- teshuvah. There was a minyan of men there: argued at great length until Uri Zohar’s wife Did your father change after the trag- ceded that my father was correct. He wrote interrupted them and asked, ‘What is ic deaths of his daughter and grand- a long article in which he admitted that the going on? Do you think you are the sons? only two people here?’ They contin- “No. He was deeply wounded and be- world has a Creator. He came to visit us dur- “The Gaon says ued the dialogue later in Yerusha- reaved, but he said to me immediately after ing the shiva and wept bitterly. Before he left, that it is forbidden layim.” the incident, ‘We cannot regress; we must he told us that the newspaper editors had as- keep moving forward. The Gaon says that signed him to try to defeat the rov who had Why did your father take a lik- it is forbidden to let a hardship cause us to turned Uri Zohar into a baal teshuvah.” to let a hardship ing to Uri Zohar? fall.’” cause us to fall.” “He considered him an intelligent Which of the gedolei Yisroel encour- man and a man of truth. Uri found Isn’t it possible that he reconsidered aged him to implement his learning him very compelling, and the feeling some aspects of his life? method in Talmudei Torah? “When I reached the age of five, my father my father, Avrohom Ravitz, and eight was mutual. My father observed Uri Zohar’s “He would never have thought that he began studying the nature of his obligation to others from what was considered ‘bohemian’ transformation; they used to learn together was mistaken about his method of learning!” society, including Shaike Ofir, Uri Zohar, and every night. Everything that Rav Uri Zohar teach Torah to his son. He learned the Gema- another famous person. has accomplished, including your own learn- True, but he might have begun to ra, the Shulchan Aruch, and the poskim, and ing sessions with him, is a continuation of the think that he wasn’t obligated to he concluded that a father is required to teach Are you referring to , the work that my father began.” change the world, and that he could Tanach and Mishnah to his child. He decided actor who was attracted to Yiddish- confine himself to his own personal to investigate what the Talmudei Torah were keit but wasn’t able to be consistent It sounds as if your father was very avodah. teaching, and he wasn’t satisfied with what about it? stern. “He tested himself constantly,” Rav Yom he found there. His next step was to consult “No. It was Uri Zohar’s brother-in-law, “Not at all. It was delightful to speak to Tov replied. “He would let anyone debate his rebbi, Rav Yechezkel Abramsky, who was the famous singer.” him.” the gadol hador at the time. Rav Yechezkel

Rav Yom Tov Zilberman speaking Rav farhering at the Churva Shul. boys at the cheder. Rav Yitzchok Shlomo Zilberman.

34 21 Adar 5781 | March 5, 2021 Rav Chaim Kanievsky visiting the cheder. Students of the cheder at the Churvah Shul on Erev Purim. said to him, ‘Do not send your son to Talmud Moshe Rabbeinu. Did I invent something?’” it establishes the proper foundations in child- tives,” Rav Yom Tov replied. “A principal of Torah. Keep him home and teach him Chu- On the table before Rav Yom Tov Zilber- hood, they will be able to achieve extensive a Talmud Torah once asked me how we man- mash, Novi, Mishnayos, Tosefta, Gemara, man sat a file of letters from various gedo- knowledge of the Torah and depth of compre- age to avoid all the problems that plague so and more and more Gemara.’ Rav Yechezkel lei Yisroel extolling the Zilberman method. hension in later years.” many other schools, and I replied that when even advised him to teach me Tosefta with In one of those letters, Rav Avrohom Pam, Another letter came from the roshei ye- the children enjoy their learning, it solves the ‘peirush hakatzar,’ which was his own the nosi of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of shiva of Beth Medrash Govoha of Lake- many problems. Imagine an entire class peirush. My father asked, ‘Is this optional, America, expressed his support for an ini- wood, who supported the proposal of another learning together in unison. What do you en- or is it a requirement?’ Rav Yechezkel re- tiative to open a cheder in Flatbush follow- group of parents to establish a Zichru cheder joy the most in shul? Isn’t it singing Lecha plied, ‘You are required to do this. It is like ing the Zilberman approach: “I have been in Lakewood. A third missive, from Rav Dodi with the rest of the congregation? You the mitzvah of matzah.’ That was the psak he approached by a group of yungerleit who , contained an enthusias- can only imagine the scene in a typical chas- received, and he followed it.” wish to establish a Talmud Torah in Flatbush tic response to another effort to open a school sidish shul. That is precisely what happens in of this nature in Brooklyn. Rav Shmuel noted our classrooms.” And that is how the Zilberman meth- emulating the many schools that have been established in Eretz Yisroel with the guid- that his illustrious father, Rav Yaakov Kame- od was born. netzky, founded a school in Monsey at the But as a mechanech, you must have ance of Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, with the “My father was irked when people re- end of his life where this method was prac- some red lines. What if a child lies or purpose of enabling the talmidim to master ferred to it as the Zilberman method,” Rav ticed, and that he asserted that the talmidim steals? What sort of consequences Tanach and Mishnayos with enormous clar- Yom Tov said. “He would reply, ‘This was who were taught with the method were des- would he face? the method of the Shulchan Aruch, the Maha- ity and extensive review. Since this is the tined to become halachic authorities. “The Zilberman method doesn’t call for ral, the Shelah, the Vilna Gaon, Chazal, and proper way to acquire Torah knowledge, and us to deal differently with that type of mis- Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky was a pro- behavior. We have a psak from Rav Shm- ponent of the Zilberman method? uel Salant that the line must be drawn when “Yes,” Rav Yom Tov replied. “I remem- a child’s behavior is harmful to others. If a ber that he once visited Hadar Tzion, where child is a damaging influence to other chil- our method is employed, and he was ex- dren, then that would be a reason to expel “He Was a Man of Truth” tremely impressed. Rav him.” It is impossible to write about I understand that you follow often visited my father to confer with him, Rav Yitzchok Shlomo Zilberman the rulings of the Vilna Gaon. and he was also a major admirer of my fa- Another common scenario in schools without including a word from his Is that because of Rav Zilber- ther and his teaching method. He would often is when a child arrives without food talmid, Rav Uri Zohar. I commented man’s influence? come to the cheder to test the children, and he because his parents are poor and his to Rav Uri that Chazal tell us that it “I do not follow the Gaon’s rul- expressed his confidence that gedolei Torah kitchen is empty. What would you do takes forty years for a person to un- ings anymore,” Rav Uri reminded would emerge from this system.” in that situation? derstand his rebbi’s reasoning, and me. “I have told you about this in During the Hadar Tzion period, the Zil- “Take a peek into the next room,” Rav we have now reached the twentieth the past. I used to wash and recite berman method (or its sister method, the Yom Tov suggested to me. “You will see that yahrtzeit of his own rebbi. a brocha before eating fruits or Zichru system) received the approbations of there are chocolate sandwiches prepared for “Unbelievable! Twenty years!” vegetables that had come in con- Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Rav Chaim the children. But I am not sure if there are Rav Uri exclaimed. tact with liquids, as the Vilna Gaon Zaitchik, and Rav Chaim Pinchos Schein- children who are actually starving today,” rules, but then I was told that this berg. The Steipler Gaon, Rav Yaakov Kame- he added. “There was a period of time when How would you define the es- wasn’t the standard practice. I asked netzky, Rav , and Rav Yosef that was a common scenario in Eitz Chaim. sence of your rebbi? Rav Elyashiv if I should cease that Sholom Elyashiv also appended their signa- Today, however, when a child doesn’t bring “In a word, emes! He was a man practice, and he replied, ‘I know tures to a haskamah. lunch to cheder, it is typically because he of truth. Absolute truth was his guid- what the Mishnah Berurah says, and didn’t want the sandwich that his mother pre- ing light. Emes dominated his home he doesn’t say to do this.’ I left the pared for him, and he ran out of his house and continues to prevail in his com- room, and then it occurred to me that without packing any food at all.” munity to this day.” I might be required to do teshuvah Positive for my previous practice. I returned Reinforcement You mean that there are no poor chil- Did your children learn in the to Rav Elyashiv and asked him that dren here? Zilberman schools? question, and he responded, ‘Chas Only “There are, and we monitor them,” he re- “Yes, as did my grandchildren, v’sholom! The Gaon will be mak- plied. “In one case, we noticed that a particu- as well as the children and grand- pid!’” Aside from the unique curriculum of lar child needed a certain medical treatment, children of my wife’s sister [that At the time when Rav Uri first the Zilberman schools, what can you and we notified his father. The father told us is, the family of Rav Ika Yisraeli, told me this story, he added, “It tell me about your approach to chi- that he was aware of the need but that he sim- whose surprising return to Yiddish- seemed to me as if Rav Elyashiv nuch in general? How do you relate ply couldn’t afford it. My brother Reb Yosef, keit was also perceived as a threat felt the Vilna Gaon’s presence, as if to the children? who serves as the menahel of the cheder, “Our guiding principle, which has been in secular Tel Aviv]. They knew the the Gaon was actually sitting at his raised funds for it.’ absorbed in many other chadarim as well, is entire Tanach. I once told you that side.” Gad, Rav Ika Yisraeli’s son, invited that since the world is sustained by the breath Rebbetzin Kanievsky used to relate me to sing the trop of any posuk in It has been a long time since of tinokos shel bais rabban, every child is that her grandfather, Rav Aryeh Sefer Yeshayahu and assured me that you visited America. essentially a soldier on the front lines. His Levin, would stand at the window in he would be able to identify it. The “That is true, and I hope to con- weapon is his learning: He learns Bereishis Eitz Chaim and look to see which of Zilberman system is a magnificent tinue that way, until Moshiach ar- again and again, and then Shemos, and so the children were wearing torn shoes. network of Talmudei Torah and ye- rives. That is, unless Moshiach forth. Every minute of learning Chumash is “I was a talmid there,” Rav Yom Tov said. shivos managed by people with ex- himself tells me to travel overseas to an enormous gain.” “Rav Aryeh used to stand at the window and ceptional yiras Shomayim.” raise funds for Lev L’Achim….” watch the children, and someone once asked What sort of infraction would lead if he was trying to catch them indulging in you to expel a talmid? mischief. Rav Aryeh replied, ‘No, I am look- “We only give the children positive incen- ing to see which children have no food.’”

36 21 Adar 5781 | March 5, 2021