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כ”ד חשון תשפ”א // פרשת חיי שרה VOL. XXIII NO. 1134 WEEKLY In the כ“ד חשון תשפ''א // פרשת חיי שרה ב”ה, פרשת חיי שרה // כ”ד חשון, תשפ"א November 11, 2020 // Parshas Chayei Sarah Know ב״ה, פרשת חיי שרה // כ״ד חשון תשפ״א WEEKLY VOL. XXIII - NO. 1134 WEDNESDAY ISRAEL 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 18Cheshvan 5781 // November, 11 2020 BREAKING Health Official: Yeshivos Have DAILY VOL. XVII - NO. 3802 // November 11, 2020 With OPINION Threat to Ban Milah in Finland Low Corona Infection Rates BREAKING Will America Ever Trust Its Averted ISSUE Elections Again? CHESHVAN GOP Backs Trump as He Calls 38 54 NOVEMBER , ב“ה , יום ד‘, פרשת חיי שרה For Recounts, Fights to Prove 6Election 8 Fraud in Court Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Chase Center on November 7, in Wilmington, Delaware. WEEKLY MAGAZINE FROM POLLS (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) TO COURTS
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A F P. 40 P. 34 U.S. Allows 1st Emergency Use of Antibody Drug P. 37 6 11 ט“ו סיון תרפ“ט / June 23, 1929 י“ט חשון תשפ“א / Media or P. 48 November 6, 2020 News 16 Fight to MeddlersDid the press manipulate Brooklyn Red Zones Areas Turned Orange First Tourist Flight from Tel Aviv to Kitchen Corner the Finish the election? P. 51 Dubai Sprinkle Intial Choco Pops Wonderful World N.Y. /N.J. $4.00 A former appellate judge 12| Hashkafah Spotted Salamander Outside N.Y./N.J. $5.00 // Canada $6 +Tax and a pro-Trump attorney My question for you is: Why? Why does Trump Will Stand by Israel as Long as He’s in Office Hashem care in what order I cut my nails? Hamodia Supplement weigh in 11/9/2020 9:22:30 PM 8| Torah P. 66 I visited when he was 95. I asked,“Vi geit es azoy?” He 11/5/2020 7:56:42 PM 24 Cheshvan 5781 / November 11, 2020 answered, “Everything is going according to The Plan.” A New Wave of Terror in Europe
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הגאון הרב דוד פיינשטיין זצ”ל Hagaon Harav Dovid Feinstein, Zt”l
ט”ו סיון תרפ”ט / June 23, 1929 י”ט חשון תשפ”א / November 6, 2020
Hamodia Supplement 24 Cheshvan 5781 / November 11, 2020 2 Overview 24 Shevat 5776 // February 3, 2016
Levayah 3
Biography 6
Interview with a Close Talmid, Rabbi Boruch Moskowitz 10
The Silent Giant, by Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel 12 INDEX
A Pillar of Leadership, by Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Klein 13
An Appreciation, by Rabbi Nosson Scherman 14
ovid HaMelech beseeched Hashem, “Achas sha’alti me’eis Hashem osah avakeish, shivti b’veis Hashem kol yemei cha- yai…” (Tehillim 27:4) Although he was constantly interrupted, battling for Klal Yisrael, helping the downtrodden and leading our nation, nevertheless his feet automatically brought him to Dthe beis hamedrash (Vayikra Rabbah 35:1). Hagaon Harav Dovid ben Hagaon Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, shared that same desire: to bask in the glory of Hashem as he studied and taught Torah. Yet he sacrificed his own yearnings for the sake of others. His ears were ready to listen to the brokenhearted as they poured out their grief, his eyes saw what Klal Yisrael needed as he guided them with his wisdom and love, and he always lent a helping hand, yet his feet never surrendered as they constantly brought him home to the House of Hashem. In his final days, Dovid HaMelech told his son Shlomo HaMelech, “Guard the keepings of Hashem to go in his ways… So that Hashem shall keep His word…” (Melachim I 2:3-4) The legacy that Hagaon Harav Dovid leaves us is the same. We must keep the Torah and go in His ways, just as he did. In return, we will surely merit to see that the legacy of the Rosh Yeshivah remains with us, until we greet Moshiach ben Dovid, bimheirah b’yameinu, amen. חבל על דאבדין ולא משתכחין -The Editors
Photo Credits: Menachem Adelman, Agudath Israel of America, JDN, SG PHOTOS, AE Gedolim Photos, Tsemach Glenn, Medabrim Tikshoret SUPPLEMENT 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 Levayah 3 Chasdei Dovid Hane’emanim
A view of the crowd at the levayah.
BY RABBI BINYOMIN ZEV KARMAN entirely chessed. The way he interacted with peo- klal like Chinuch Atzmai, and for the yeshivah of ple, regardless if they were rich or poor, wise or Harav Michel (Feinstein). But he still shlepped “He was a Gaon, a brilliant tamid chacham. foolish, talmid chacham or am ha’aretz, great or to weddings, and not only for those close to him. Decades ago, his father, Hagaon Harav Moshe, small, all were recipients of his endless chessed. If someone who only knew him in passing needed zt”l, attested that “ehr ken Shas — he knows Most did not even realize the chessed he was a mesader kiddushin, he shlepped there. And he Shas.” Rav Moshe was measuring it with his own doing for them, as he did a tovah for each person would come even if he was not accorded any kib- comprehension, and he said he knew it expertly. according to the individual’s need.” bud, because it was irrelevant to him. He did it to And Harav Dovid continued learning without As these poignant words of Rav Ganzweig help another Yid.” pause. reverberated through the crowd, tears streamed Rabbi Shmuel Fishelis, the son-in-law of Rav “He was certainly a Posek. Harav Elyashiv, down not only his eyes, but undoubtedly down Dovid, began the levayah with reciting several zt”l, considered him the Posek for America. the faces of the thousands who gathered to pay kapitlach of Tehillim, and then summed up what “He was ehrlich. The Rosh Yeshivah [Rav the kavod acharon to the humble figure who nev- Rav Dovid was for our generation. “Moshe Rab- Moshe] said, ‘Du vest nisht gefinen aza ehrliche vi ertheless towered above the rest. He wore a plain beinu asked Hashem to appoint his successor ehm — You will not find such anehrliche person jacket and no kapote, and his hat was just as plain. as ‘Ish asher ruach bo’ (Bamidbar, 27:18), which like him.’” But those who knew him, or even happened to Rashi explains to mean a person who could deal “So what can I add?” Harav Chaim Ganzweig, meet him for just a short time, soon came to real- with the spirit of each individual. Rav Dovid shlita, the Mashgiach of Mesivtha Tiferes Jeru- ize that he was clothed in greatness. knew how to give chizuk to each individual, how salem (commonly known as MTJ and referred “Before my zeide was niftar (in 5746/1986), to give a smile and encouragement as the person to as Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim), asked the few people out of the circle of his talmidim knew needed. crowd of thousands mourning the loss of Harav who he was,” his son Rabbi Mordechai said. “He “We know that Avraham was the pillar of Dovid Feinstein, zt”l. “The passuk (Yeshaya- sat behind a beam and never sat on the mizrach chessed, Yitzchak the pillar of tefillah and avodah, hu 55:3) states, ‘chasdei Dovid hane’emanim.’ until he was forced to move there when he took and Yaakov was the ish tam yosheiv ohalim. Rav Although the meforshim explain it as going on the over the yeshivah and kollel after my zeide passed Dovid embodied all these virtues. His chessed kindnesses that Hashem does, which are perma- away. Suddenly, he exploded on the scene, and he encompassed all — his tefillos in which he dav- nent, I would like to explain, b’derech drush, that was famous, but he remained oblivious to it all. ened for all who approached him for brachos, and it may be going on the chessed that our Rav Dovid He never rubbed shoulders with the prestigious for Klal Yisrael as he carried their tzaros, and of performed the entire day. people, but remained together with every single course the Torah, where he was the address for “He was not obligated to take responsibility Yid. the she’eilos from all corners of the world. The for the yeshivah nor for the kollel, and indeed all “He shouldered the burden of the yeshivah passuk (Shmuel I 16:18) says concerning Dovid, the harbotzas haTorah that he performed was and kollel, and undertook responsibilities for the ‘vaHashem imo.’ The Gemara (Sanhedrin 93b) 4 Levayah 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 SUPPLEMENT
explains this to mean that the halachah was do not realize what they lost, then you must first grew in that time, and eventually saw the Torah’s like him in all places. And Rav Dovid’s psak was explain it in a hesped, and only then they can cry growth. He saw the tzaros of the world, and we indeed respected in all places.” properly. need him so much now, to analyze and guide us in Harav Reuven Feinstein, shlita, spoke about “The Gedolei Hador are called the einei what is happening. If we do not understand that, the need to understand the loss of such a tower- ha’eidah, the eyes of the congregation. They then we should cry for that lack of understanding ing Gadol. “My father [Rav Moshe] asked why in have the ability to see the future ramifications alone.” this week’s parashah, it says that Avraham came of everything that is transpiring now. Rav Dovid * * * to eulogize Sarah and to cry for her. We know was able to foresee what lies in store because he Rav Dovid was born in Luban, Russia, in that Chazal say that bechi, crying, is first (for 3 lived through so many difficulttekufos . He saw 5689/1929, while his father, Hagaon Harav days). So why does it mention that Avraham said the yeridah of Torah when he lived under the Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, served as Rav. As the a hesped before it says he cried? The answer is Stalinist regime when he was unable to learn Stalinist regime began harassing the Rabbanim, that it depends who you are speaking to. If people Torah with his father, yet ehr iz oisgeshteigen, he the family fled to America and settled on the SUPPLEMENT 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 Levayah 5
Lower East Side. Rav Dovid learned in Mesivta “In each situation, he dealt with it as Hashem which helped him keep out of trouble. Yet he Tiferes Yerushalayim with his father, and even- would want it to be dealt with. The informality of knew how to speak when he had to, and he let his tually began delivering shiurim there. When his his smile belied the manner in which he spoke.” family know that the door was always open to father was niftar, he took over the yeshivah and Harav Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlita, Rosh speak to him whatever they felt the need to.” many of his responsibilities, including becom- Yeshivah of Yeshiva Gedolah of Philadelphia, The final speaker, his son, Rabbi Mordechai ing a prominent chaver of the Moetzes Gedolei spoke briefly and described Rav Dovid as “anois - Feinstein, told how over the past few months, HaTorah of Agudas Yisrael of America, a member nahm fuhn ah mentch (an exceptional person). It Rav Dovid, zt”l, was able to perform many of of the Vaad Roshei Yeshivah of Torah Umesorah, is especially hard to describe the many facets of the mitzvos and he did them with such simchah, and involved in Chinuch Atzmai, Agudas Harab- his personality. He was kulo tov, kulo geshmak. which was a characteristic he exuded throughout bonim, and many other communal organizations. He was a chaver tov, a good friend. He was a min his lifetime. He related how when the doctors He wrote several sefarim, and answered she’eilos bifnei atzmo (a breed for himself). He under- told him he had to drink on Yom Kippur, he was throughout the day and night from all over. stood everyone and what they needed, and he did not upset, since it was now the will of Hashem * * * whatever he could do to help.” for him to drink. His entire life, he was vigilant Rabbi Moshe Dovid Tendler, a brother-in-law Rabbi Shlomo Fishelis, his grandson who to daven b’tzibbur, but when he was not able to do of Rav Dovid, described how Rav Dovid dealt served as his gabbai in recent years, described it lately, he was not upset, since this was now the with each person exactly as he should, and was some of the personal hanhagos he was able to retzon Hashem. a perfect fit. He explained that Rashi tells us in observe. “He was so consistent. He would sit for He thanked all the people who helped over the the beginning of this week’s parashah that Sarah three or four hours saying Kinos, and after three years and over the last few months in particu- was as beautiful at 20 as she was at 7 years old. hours he was saying it exactly the same as he was lar when his father was ill, and asked mechilah In what way is a 20-year-old better than a 7-year- at the beginning. His hasmadah was indescrib- if he was negligent in giving the proper kavod. old? At 20, a girl may dress in a way that is not able. Even when his boisterous triplet grandchil- He then told how during his recent illness, Rav proper, and can stand out as not fitting. A 7-year- dren entered the room, he continued his learn- Dovid mentioned that he wished to ask others to old has a certain charm that no matter what, she ing, as he was oblivious to everything while he be mochel him if he slighted them, and therefore seems to fit perfectly, which helps people over- learned. was requesting everyone to oblige. look minor infractions of social standards. “He walked the streets with such hatzne’a Rabbi Eidelman, the director of Mesivta Tife- That attribute was most befitting Rav Dovid, leches, like he was one of us, while he was actu- reth Jerusalem recited the Kel Malei and asked since he knew exactly how to deal with each per- ally on a different plane. He once said that he was mechilah in the name of the staff of the yeshivah. son; he interacted with his talmidim in the best born during the week of Behaalos’cha, in which The aron then headed to the airport where it was manner, he answered she’eilos in the best man- the maftir speaks about lashon hara. He said it transported for kevurah in Eretz Yisrael. ner, and with his family as was proper for them. had an effect on him, as he was quiet by nature, Yehi zichro baruch. 6 Biography 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 SUPPLEMENT Vayipakeid Mekom Dovid
BY RABBI BINYOMIN ZEV KARMAN the town. The Stalinist regime set out to harass the Rabbanim, and teaching Torah was fraught “Pe’er Hador — The glory of our generation.” with danger. Rav Moshe expressed that he had This appellation was assigned to Hagaon Harav once worried if Rav Dovid would be able to learn, Dovid Feinstein, zt”l, by none other than Hagaon and he was somewhat resigned to hoping that he Harav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l, in a halachic remained within the fold. response. Yet to the uninitiated, Rav Dovid Fast forward some 40 years. Rav Moshe was seemed to be a simple man, unadorned by any of speaking with someone about his illustrious the splendor and grandeur sometimes accorded son, and said with some degree of pride, “Ehr ken to leaders. Truth be told, this is exactly the way Shas; ehr hut gelernt Shas a hundert mohl — He he preferred it to be. knows Shas; he learned it a hundred times.” That Rabbi Burton Jaffa was atalmid of Rav Dovid incident took place 40 years ago, and the knowl- more than half a century ago, but with Rav Dovid, edge and review multiplied exponentially during once a talmid always a talmid. When his mechu- the interim. tan was meshadech with the family of Rav Dovid When life in Russia became unbearable, the years later, he asked Rav Dovid if there were any Feinstein family immigrated to America. After a hakpados, i.e. anything in particular that Rav short stint in Cleveland, Rav Moshe became Rosh Dovid wanted to have during the course of the Yeshivah of Mesivtha Tiferes Jerusalem on East wedding. Broadway on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, “Only one thing. I do not want to sit oiben uhn when Rav Dovid was just 8 years old. Ultimately, (up in front), not by the meal nor by the chuppah,” the yeshivah, where Rav Moshe and Rav Dovid was his reply. learned and taught, became the address not just “Just bear in mind that this was the chasunah for thousands of talmidim, but indeed for the of Rav Dovid’s own grandchild, and he still entire Klal Yisrael. Whether a Rav who need- wished to remain out of the limelight. Even by ed a decision on a weighty matter of halachah, the sheva brachos he refused to sit at the head askanim who needed guidance in communal table,” Rabbi Jaffa pointed out. issues, or a simple Jew who needed advice or a * * * shoulder to cry on, they all were afforded the wise Rav Dovid was born in Luban, Russia, in counsel of these towering Gedolei Hador. 5689/1929, at a time when his father, Hagaon The Posek Hador, Hagaon Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l. Rav Dovid learned with his father, who had Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, served as the Rav of him look over some of the thorniest she’eilos SUPPLEMENT 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 Biography 7 that came his way. Numerous she’eilos appear in Aaron Katz, a lifelong Lower East Side resi- Igros Moshe where Rav Moshe addresses or men- dent and talmid of Rav Dovid, had numerous tions his son with reverence. In time, Rav Moshe opportunities to converse with him, asking both appointed Rav Dovid to say a shiur in the yeshi- personal she’eilos and eitzos as well as present- vah, and a new chapter in his life began, albeit ing various questions from the Lower East Side “under the radar.” Hatzalah. Those who knew Rav Dovid were well aware “When we would ask him a she’eilah or for of his daily schedule. After davening, he would advice, he never told us, ‘This is what you must head down the block to the pizza shop and order do.’ He would always preface his answer by say- a bagel and coffee, and return to yeshivah to learn ing, ‘The way I see it,’ and then say this is the hal- during first seder. As the years went on and the achah, or this is what I think should be done. But pizza shop closed, he would cross the bridge to he let us know that this is only his understanding, Williamsburg and drop in at Green’s bakery on and he was not demanding we accept it.” Sunday and Friday, with his talmidim picking it “I once asked Rav Dovid a difficultshe’eilah ,” up for him during the week. Reb Aaron continued, “and he anticipated I One morning, his nephew, Mr. Lenny Greher, would be anxious with his answer. While answer- was sitting with Rav Dovid in his office and ques- ing, he made a point of adding reassurance that I tioned him on this behavior. should not worry about the psak, which helped “Uncle Dovid, you shlep each day to purchase put my mind at ease. We knew that whatever he a bagel and coffee. Why don’t you simply send said, it was without any agenda, and he meant it someone to the dining room to bring you your l’shem Shamayim, and of course we never had meals?” any doubt.” In characteristic fashion, Rav Dovid removed People would say that Rav Dovid had three a paper from his desk drawer and explained, possible answers: yes, no, and better not. When “When my father, z”l, hired me to say a shiur in he answered a she’eilah, it was given in a succinct the yeshivah over half a century ago, he signed manner, and the questioner knew exactly what a contract with me, which is right here. I looked to do. His phone rang at all hours of the day and through the contract and it does not say anything night, and he was ready to answer it and provide about receiving meals from the yeshivah. Now, if whoever was calling with a ruling they could rely someone is making a bris and provides breakfast, on. and he invites me to the seudah, I can then attend Harav Aharon Kahn had a close relationship and partake in the meal, since he is paying for it. with Rav Dovid, as he served as a Rav on the But otherwise, I have not taken as much as a cup commit. The father went to the office and begged Lower East Side for many years before establish- of milk from the yeshivah all the years I am here.” the administration to arrange for Rav Dovid to ing Knessess Bais Avigdor in Midwood nearly Yes, Rav Dovid was a Maggid Shiur, eventu- attend. When they asked who the kallah was, three decades ago. In describing the relationship ally assuming the position of Rosh Yeshivah, and he replied it was Jaffa. “Why doesn’t he call?” that Rabbanim had with Rav Dovid, Rav Kahn he undertook the responsibility for the financial they said. However, since Rav Dovid did not give noted that he was recognized as the Posek Hador. stability of the yeshivah and its kollel. Yet the cup a definitive answer, thechassan asked Harav He related, “When did I call him … when did we of milk, which was not in the contract, remained Chaim Kitevits, shlita, Rosh Mesivta, Yeshivas all call him? When we dared not pasken for fear out of bounds for decades, since it was not explic- Rabbeinu Chaim Berlin, to serve as the mesader of making a life-or-death error. Yes, that was cer- itly included in the contract. This simple form of kiddushin. tainly true. But we also asked whenever we felt glattkeit and ehrlichkeit, which others marvel As Rav Kitevits was filling out thetena’im and he had the shoulders that we didn’t even want at, were clear-cut in the eyes of Rav Dovid, and kesubah, Rav Dovid humbly slipped into the wed- to have. He knew Shas — thoroughly; he knew any roundabout justification to be lenient never ding hall to wish mazel tov to the families. Rav the poskim — intimately. Speaking for myself, I crossed his mind. Kitevits noticed his presence, and immediately had supreme confidence in his decisions. First, Rabbi Jaffa recalls entering Rav Dovid’s shiur moved to the side, insisting that Rav Dovid be because more than 50 years ago, I heard a very after spending a year learning in Eretz Yisrael. mesader kiddushin. They argued back and forth, reliable source tell me that Rav Moshe, zt”l, said “While in Eretz Yisrael, I was used to seeing a with Rav Kitevits saying, “How will I be a Rebbi about his son, ‘Any she’eilah that you ask me you list of marei mekomos, sources we should look for my talmidim and have any respect if Rav can ask Rav Dovid.’ Also, he never had an axe to at before entering the shiur for the day. The list Dovid is here in the room and I am mesader kid- grind, never an agenda that determined him. It could contain Rishonim, Acharonim or other dushin?” Yet despite Rav Kitevits’ protestations, was the halachah and nothing more. He was very sources. When I entered Rav Dovid’s shiur, I was pure. Finally, the way he spoke, with that calm, surprised he limited it to explaining the simple deliberate cadence, made all of us feel his own pshat in the Gemara and Rashi. I questioned him confidence in hispsak . His psak was always short as to why he presented the shiur in this manner. and precise and absolute. And on the rare occa- “His answer surprised me and will probably sion when he said, ‘I don’t know,’ you understood surprise many. He said, ‘Everything important that all those other times he really knew.” in the sugya essentially lies in Rashi, if you learn Rabbi Aharon Schur was in kollel and was it and examine it properly. When time goes on, studying complicated halachos which involved there is a good chance you won’t remember the intricate calculations. After delving into these myriad pshatim mentioned elsewhere. But if you halachos, his chaburah had two unsettled ques- have a thorough understanding of the sugya with tions, which they presented to several Rabban- Rashi, you will remember it and will be able to im, who said they were difficult indeed, and were grasp everything else in the sugya. unclear as to how one should pasken. “As Rav Dovid said his shiur, we realized how “We called Rav Dovid,” Rabbi Schur remem- everything in the sugya flowed from the way he bers, “and he immediately replied, ‘The first is an said the Gemara and Rashi. His phenomenal interval, the second a pattern.’ The short, precise bekius and thorough understanding came to the answer was characteristic of his replies. Years surface, and he would give over a special under- later, I met a Rosh Kollel who was studying these standing of the sugya.” Rav Dovid’s extreme humility won out, and he same halachos, and I presented them to him. He Rabbi Jaffa remained close to Rav Dovid ended up with receiving just a brachah. told me, ‘I had a difficult time with these same over the years, and his granddaughter became The Gemara in Megillah (31a) states, “Rabi two cases. After researching it, I found a Sugah engaged to the son of a man who attended Rav Yochanan said, ‘Every place you find the great- Bashoshanim in the middle of a long piece who Dovid’s weekly Chumash shiur, which he deliv- ness of Hakadosh Baruch Hu, you also find His says the first is an interval, and the second is a ered on Friday. The chassan’s father brought his humility.’” Following in the path of Hashem, pattern.’ I was in awe of Rav Dovid, who dealt son to Rav Dovid and asked him to serve as the Rav Dovid managed to conceal his greatness in a with these difficultshe’eilos and supplied his mesader kiddushin. Rav Dovid said he could not cloak of humility. clear-cut psak in an instant.” 8 Biography 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 SUPPLEMENT
Vayedaber Dovid — The Weekly Chumash Shiur
BY BEN ZION WOLFF
They came from near and far, yeshivaleit and working men, Litvish and Chassidish. They did not come because the speaker was flamboyant or entertaining. They came to hear the pure unadulter- ated dvar Hashem as put forth by someone they knew to be not only a gaon in Torah, but indeed a Gadol b’Yisrael. With Harav Yisroel Belsky, zt”l. One of the listeners was a retiree who dreamed of spend- ing his golden years reveling in the Rosh Yeshivah’s Chumash shiur that he had heard so “Some of the topics Rav much about. Another, who Dovid discussed were being usually was able to attend only subordinate to retzon Hash- during the summer months, em, and really using every was a Menahel of a mesivta in fiber of one’s being to serve Brooklyn who looked forward his Creator. He would delve to the summertime Fridays into topics such as the inner when his schedule would allow meaning of keeping Shabbos, him to go to the Lower East and what it symbolizes. He Side for the shiur. stressed that all our actions Yet another person in atten- and work are not really “ours”; dance was a Chassidishe young it is all Hashem’s. He explained man whose work schedule left that is why we back off and him with free time on Friday, refrain from work for a full and who could think of noth- day, which is to internalize the Rav Dovid Hofstedter presenting the sefer Moed L’Dovid to Harav Dovid Feinstein. ing better to do with his down- concept that it’s not our work time than listen as the Rosh that makes us successful, it’s Yeshivah spoke words that Hashem’s.” In recent years, she’eilos involv- addressed to hospital board mem- emanated from his essence, Those who had the zechus ing end-of -life issues became more bers and executives urging them to words of emunah peshutah, to attend the shiur quickly common as technology and inter- respect our values,” Rabbi Lefkow- and watch as the character of became enamored with Rav ventions were introduced, and new itz said. the Rosh Yeshivah shone forth Dovid. “At times, I watched “morality issues” took hold. As with Rabbi Jaffa toldHamodia how from the shiur. him daven,” a regular attendee most life-or-death she’eilos, they Rav Dovid treated each and every “The Rosh Yeshivah had an remarked. “He used to utter ended up on Rav Dovid’s doorstep, person who came to ask a she’eilah. incredible ability to analyze each word carefully, with and he was inundated with daily “He let you speak as long as you the pesukim and carve out the immense intention.” calls to rule on these cases. Agu- wanted, letting you explain every most beautiful pshatim, and The shiur of Rav Dovid, zt”l, das Yisrael established Chayim aspect of the she’eilah until you derive practical lessons from like everything in his life, was Aruchim, an organization which were sure that you told him all the it. He quoted Chazal exten- open and available for all seg- deals with the legal issues as well as details. At that point, he might ask sively from many different ments of Klal Yisrael. And he guiding people to proper poskim to one or two questions, and he would sources,” he said. will be sorely missed by all. rule for their individual cases. Rav issue a clear-cut psak.” Dovid took an intimate interest in There was a time when an out this endeavor, and many of the pos- of town organization asked Rabbi kim sought his advice and guidance Burton to forward a she’eilah about as to how to rule on these life-or- servicing a learning-disabled child death cases. in a non-Orthodox setting. There Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz of was a disagreement in the commu- Chayim Aruchim told Hamodia, nity if this should be done, and it “Chayim Aruchim was privileged was decided to present the she’eilah to have had an open door to Harav to Rav Dovid. Rabbi Jaffa elabo- Dovid Feinstein, zt”l. We asked him rated on the details of the situation serious she’eilos related to Chayim and, all the while, Rav Dovid lis- Aruchim’s work dealing with end- tened silently. of-life issues.” “Rav Dovid wanted to verify if Rav Dovid stressed the impor- it involved teaching any hashkafic tance of asking a she’eilah and issues which may be problem- receiving guidance from daas Torah atic,” Rabbi Jaffa recalled. “I told each step of the way, including the him that they knew that the teach- question of continuing treatment ers were all sheitel-wearing kol- and what sort of testing to allow or lel wives, and all they wanted was not allow. that this girl who was confined to “Together with other Gedolei a wheelchair should be taught alef- haPoskim, Rav Dovid signed a letter beis. His answer was classic. ‘You SUPPLEMENT 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 Biography 9 never know if by teaching this child alef-beis you will be able to reach not only her neshamah, but also the neshamah of her parents.’ The sim- plicity of his answer along with the confidence with which it was given was accepted by all sides. Simplicity is a word used often to describe Rav Dovid. He wore a short jacket and not a kapote, and a fedora with a turned-down brim, not the type of hat preferred by many Rabbanim or Roshei Yeshi- vah. He would invite guests whom others refrained from inviting, and they were regulars at his home for Shabbos and even the Sedarim on Pesach. “Everything he did was his way of doing chessed,” said Mr. Greher. “On Wednesday afternoon, he would travel to Brooklyn to do the Shab- bos shopping for the Rebbetzin, which was his way of performing chessed for her. Before they went to the store, they went to be mevaker Harav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l (third from L) with (L-R) ybl”c Ezra Rothenberg, Yaakov Glatter, Harav Hillel David, shlita, Harav Moshe Tuvia choleh and, afterward, he went to Lieff and Harry Rothenberg, Esq. the store to make his purchases. He lived without any fanfare and gave begin to wonder: Can such a person up what he loved most, which was truly exist? I believe the answer lies to sit and learn, in order to help out in a Gemara in Sanhedrin (88b), others.” which tells us that a ben Olam Haba “On Shabbos morning after dav- is one who is humble and modest, ening, if Rav Dovid was aware of enters bowing and leaves bowing, anyone on the Lower East Side who learns Torah constantly but does was making a kiddush and would not take credit for himself. The appreciate his participation, he Gemara concludes that the Rab- made it a point to attend,” Aaron banan placed their eyes upon Rav Katz said. “It made no difference Ulla bar Abba. to him if the kiddush was in the “The Rabbanan of that dor Boyaner Kloiz or in Mizrachi. If needed to prove that indeed such the person would appreciate see- a person exists, that it is possible ing him there, he would come. And that this world can spawn such a of course, if Rav Dovid was coming, ben Olam Haba Torah giant. That is we would all come along with him.” how hard it is to fathom. They need- “I know of a person on the Lower ed to find such a Gadol. So too, Rav East Side who ...[made] a kiddush in Dovid walked among us with that his house each week for an extend- kol demamah dakah which was his ed period of time,” Lenny Greher signature quality in so many ways, added. “Each week, Rav Dovid and truly it was impossible to know would go to this man’s house in him. Perhaps there will be no one order to give him the kavod of host- With Harav Aharon Schechter, shlita, at the Siyum HaShas. like him for us to know in our life- ing Rav Dovid at his kiddush.” times. Mi yiten temuraso.” Hakaras hatov played a major him of the dinner, because I did not for a brachah. “I guess the Ribbono * * * role in all his actions. “Rav Dovid want to be matriach him. shel Olam owes you triplets,” was Harav Dovid Povarsky, zt”l, was a had two Rebbeim in his life; his “Lo and behold, during the din- his reply. Sure enough, the women talmid in the Mir who was extreme- father, the Rosh Yeshivah Harav ner, in walks Rav Dovid and the Reb- gave birth to triplets and, after sev- ly close to Harav Yerucham Levo- Moshe, zt”l, and his cousin, Harav betzin. I was shocked and, as I ran eral months, brought them to Rav vits, zt”l, the legendary Mashgiach. Mechel Feinstein, zt”l, who was a over to greet them, I told them that Dovid’s apartment. After taking Whenever the Mashgiach would Maggid Shiur in Mesivtha Tiferes I had not expected them to come. them by train from Williamsburg deliver a shmuess, Rav Dovid would Jerusalem in the early days,” Lenny The Rebbetzin’s answer floored me. to the Lower East Side, rolling them sit up close and follow his every Greher related. “Rav Dovid had ‘For the past 40 years, you never in a carriage through the streets word, and incorporate it into his such hakaras hatov to Rav Mechel missed a dinner for the kollel, and and bringing them up in the eleva- life. that he raised hundreds of thou- we shouldn’t come to return the tor, the triplets were cranky and the When Rav Dovid married the sands of dollars to support Yeshiva honor?’ When I expressed my sur- mother a bit hassled. As she stood daughter of Harav Dovid Dov Beis Yehudah, Rav Mechel’s yeshi- prise that she kept cheshbon about by the door and told Rav Dovid Kreiser, zt”l, and left the Mir, Rav vah. It was all an outgrowth of his the kollel dinners, she indicated that she came to thank him for the Yerucham began the next shm- tremendous hakaras hatov.” that she surely knew whom they brachah, he beamed his inimitable uess by looking at the empty chair Rabbi Burton added a personal owed hakaras hatov to.” smile and replied, “Aren’t you glad I where Rav Dovid sat for so long, vignette about the hakaras hatov In his later years, the curtain of didn’t say quintuplets?” and lamented, “Vayipakeid mekom of Rav Dovid and his Rebbetzin. his greatness was pulled back, much From Rav Aharon Kahn: “And his Dovid — And the place of Dovid “After working 34 years as Execu- to his chagrin. People flocked to him smile. It was a constant, a perma- was noted [as vacant].” (Shmuel I, tive Director of PTACH, I was cho- not just for she’eilos or advice, but nent declaration of the genuineness 20:25) sen as the honoree for their dinner. increasingly they approached him with which he gave everyone his The place of Harav Dovid ben Rav Dovid was on my invitation list, for brachos. A woman who was mar- heart. To say these words about the Harav Moshe, zt”l, is vacant, leav- but I never expected him to attend. ried for five years and unfortunately niftar is easy. But as I think about ing the generation bereft. In fact, I never called him to inform miscarried twice asked Rav Dovid how much it takes to be like that, I Yehi zichro baruch. 10 Interview 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 SUPPLEMENT Plain Greatness Peeking behind the screen of simplicity: An interview with Rabbi Boruch Moskowitz, a close talmid
BY RAFAEL HOFFMAN
Writing about any Gadol b’Yisrael presents the daunting challenge of putting intangible spiritual greatness into words. However great that challenge usually is, it is multiplied when faced with the task of attempt- ing to write about Harav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l. Klal Yisrael knew quite well that beneath his terse words, simple comportment, and attempt to live a quiet life from within the walls of Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem (MTJ) on Manhattan’s ever eclectic Lower East Side, that Rav Dovid was among the true Gedolei Hador. Renowned for his humility and ahavas Yisra- el, there is a sea of stories about his unassuming nature and love for every Jew — no matter from what walk of life he came. After the petirah of his father, Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, Rav Dovid increasingly took on leadership positions in the klal and dedicated himself to several causes, especially ones relating to chinuch. Yet, Rav Dovid’s greatness was his absolute dedication to and command of the wholeness of the breadth and depth of Torah. His shiurim were never attended by hundreds of talmidim, he never published chiddushim on Shas or teshuvos; and most who approached with halachic ques- tions were answered with a word or two. It was well known that the most complex she’eilos came to Rav Dovid’s door from around the globe, but few were privy to the geonus that lay beneath his Talking in learning with Rabbi Moskowitz (R) at his son’s chasunah. plain exterior. L: Rav Shlomo Teitelbaum, zt”l. Giants of the generations had little problem detecting his gadlus. Harav Yosef Shalom Elyas- full understanding of the sugya could easily lead halachic debate. hiv, zt”l, referred to him as the “pe’er hador — the to confusion. Among the many aspects to mourn in the beauty of the generation” and Rav Moshe himself As such, Rav Dovid had the highest regard for loss of Rav Dovid is his command not only of his once added to the end of one of his own chiddu- bnei Torah committed to learning topics in depth father’s thousands of teshuvos, but of the method shim in Dibros Moshe that “Hagaon Harav Dovid” in a way that they could fully comprehend how of thought that went into them. agrees to the above interpretation. much went into any psak that ultimately emerged. “I once asked him if a certain svarah was his One of those who were privileged to some level “Many people were not aware of his amkus or his father’s. The Rosh Yeshivah said, ‘I don’t of insight into Rav Dovid’s absolute mastery of (depth) because he answered people so concise- know, because everything I have is from my Shas and Poskim, as well as his sechel hayashar, ly,” said Rabbi Moskowitz. “Rav Dovid was very father.’ That’s what a real talmid is. His mind was Rabbi Boruch Moskowitz. In his 26 years as happy when people would learn Halachah in a adapted to thinking along the same lines as his a talmid of Rav Dovid, Rabbi Moskowitz had the way that wasn’t just divrei nevius. He stressed Rebbi and without quoting a psak, he thinks about privilege to converse with him daily on a wide that the proper way to approach any halachic things the same way,” said Rabbi Moskowitz. array of sugyos and halachic issues. Those con- issue is to master all points of the sugya and then While the many teshuvos of the Igros Moshe versations and the extensive source material that applied it to Halachah.” have become part of the permanent library of psak served as the background for them were printed Armed with a phenomenal recall of the Torah Halachah as they are written, from the decades in V’dibarta Bam, a two-volume collection of Rav he had learned and an exceptional ability to ana- he spent learning with and assisting his father, Dovid’s opinions on a wide array of practical hal- lyze complex issues, Rav Dovid did not have a spe- Rav Dovid often explained why Rav Moshe had achic she’eilos from all four sections of Shulchan cific approach, but was able to apply the correct applied a given response to the situation relevant Aruch. combination of factors to each problem without to the teshuvah in his sefer, but that his general “He was holding in kol haTorah kulah,” said interference from tangential issues. psak would have been different. In other instanc- Rabbi Moskowitz. “I would spend weeks prepar- “Every case was different,” he said. “He had a es, he knew from experience that, in writing, Rav ing sugyos with all the marei mekomos so that very original mind, but he didn’t pasken accord- Moshe had expressed a certain opinion, but over I could present the questions to him in a few ing to his own chiddushim and, if there was a time, had evolved to view the question in a more minutes and he would be machria between the clear psak or consensus, he went with it, even if lenient or stringent way. various shittos. I could quote 20 sources and he he understood the sugya differently. He thought “The Rosh Yeshivah had Shas with the perush would follow each step of the way as if he had just through whatever mekoros there were on the of the Igros Moshe,” said Rabbi Moskowitz. “It learned them himself. The Rosh Yeshivah had she’eilah together with the mesorah and min- wasn’t just another Acharon he knew, the Rosh perfect command of all of them and, in a second, hagim that were relevant and with his sechel Yeshivah developed his mind in such a way that could tell you why a shittah in the Rishonim or hayashar arrived at the psak.” he had mastered his father’s approach to hal- Acharonim did or did not apply to the question at achah l’maaseh and made it his own. That’s some- hand.” The Torah Sheb’al Peh of Igros thing the dor has now lost.” Rabbi Moskowitz said that Rav Dovid’s ten- Moshe dency to answer most questions with few words For more than a generation, the sefer Igros The Straight Path to Greatness was not only a function of his exceptionally quiet Moshe has held an unparalleled role in present- Part and parcel of the persona of Rav Dovid nature, but also because he feared that getting day issues of psak Halachah. For much of Klal was that, despite his universally acknowledged into too many details with someone who lacked a Yisrael, saying “Reb Moshe held like this” ends a greatness, he remained unfazed by the regard SUPPLEMENT 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 Interview 11
A view of the crowd at the levayah of Hagaon Harav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l, at the Shamgar funeral parlor in Yerushalayim on Monday afternoon. in which the tzibbur held him, and continued to commensurate with the enthusiasm one brings emunah and his connection to limud haTorah. conduct himself largely like an ordinary Yid per- to his limud haTorah. While accepting the responsibilities he had, Rav forming mundane chores in public, and relating Rabbi Moskowitz said that, likely, no one ever Dovid voiced the highest admiration for those to the wide variety of characters in his circle as fully understood when or on what schedule Rav who could dedicate themselves to Torah free of equals. Dovid revisited the many sugyos he had mastered distractions, often offering hisbrachah to merit “The Rosh Yeshivah was mekabel from Reb throughout his life, but those who spent time in to live a life of “lachasos b’noam Hashem.” Moshe that learning Torah and having a good MTJ witnessed that he was constantly reviewing Rabbi Moskowitz was one of those who head was not a reason to hold yourself in any masechtos, reviewing Shas an unknown number attended Rav Dovid’s daily Mishnayos shiur higher regard than anyone else,” said Rabbi Mos- of times. which completed Shishah Sidrei Mishnah sev- kowitz. “Many people treated him like he was Beneath Rav Dovid’s calm exterior lay an eral times. While new mishnayos were learned their friend because that was how he acted. And it uncanny ability to focus on learning even under each day, finer points were often argued about didn’t bother him. But for his talmidim who were the most trying of circumstances. and discussed months after they had been cov- zocheh to discuss Torah with him b’iyun, his gad- On the morning of the September 11 attacks, ered — something Rav Dovid was always happy to lus came out and those people had a deep sense of Rav Dovid and Rabbi Moskowitz walked out of engage in. yiras hakavod for him.” MTJ and saw the Twin Towers burning. After a The seder was so precious to Rav Dovid that, Rabbi Moskowitz said that Rav Dovid’s sin- while they went back inside and Rav Dovid went even when away from the yeshivah and through cere humility also allowed him to pasken she’eilos to his office while a group of people gathered in much of his final illness, he kept up the cycle. free of any personal stake in how his position was the beis medrash to say Tehillim. When Rabbi Moskowitz met Rav Dovid over looked at by others. After about a half-hour, Rav Dovid entered, the summer, he told his Rebbi that he had kept “It didn’t matter to him if people followed his went to his seat, and opened his Gemara as he did pace with where the shiur would have been up psak or not because they were what he held was every day at that time. Asked about what was the to through the challenging times of the COVID the emes, but he had no personal connection to proper way to spend one’s time under the circum- lockdown, to which Rav Dovid happily replied, it,” he said. “I remember one time when a person stances, Rav Dovid responded that “the koach “So did I.” came to the yeshivah to ask an eitzah, but wasn’t haTorah is the greatest thing.” “He appreciated and understood the value happy with the response and ended up speaking “He cared deeply about what was going on of every bit of Torah. How many people have a disrespectfully and personally insulting him. Not around him, but his belief in the koach haTorah chashivus for mishnayos in Kodashim and Taha- only didn’t the Rosh Yeshivah answer him, he was such that he felt that learning was the great- ros that they learn them b’iyun? He lived the didn’t say anything about it afterward either. He est zechus he could lend to help in such a tragic Torah,” said Rabbi Moskowitz. was never bothered by insults or impressed by time,” said Rabbi Moskowitz. “Rav Dovid said “The Maharsha says that the main point of a kavod because whatever he did wasn’t about him, Tehillim every day, it was not as if he did not think hesped on an adam gadol is to cry over the Torah it was l’hagdil Torah ul’haadirah.” it was important, but now was a time that he usu- that has been lost. The generation has lost Rav The key to gadlus was equally straightfor- ally learns and, somehow, he was able to concen- Dovid’s Torah and the protection it gave us and ward in Rav Dovid’s mind. Asked how his father trate the same way he did every other day.” that is what we have to mourn. But, the Rosh was able to complete Shas b’iyun at age 17, he Recognizing that a simple focus on avodas Yeshivah said many times that when an adam responded simply, “He was a big masmid.” The Hashem is not so simple for many people, Rav Gadol leaves the world, by learning from his ways characteristically succinct reply encapsulated Dovid lamented the generation’s pursuit of ever and strengthening themselves in Torah and avo- his own credo that gadlus is achieved not through enhanced physical pleasures and acquisitions, dah, the tzibbur has the ability to fill the void he anything complex, but through hard work; and is feeling they ultimately pull a Jew away from left.” 12 Agudah 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 SUPPLEMENT The Silent Giant
BY RABBI CHAIM DOVID ZWIEBEL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA Some things about Harav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l, were well-known: his greatness in Torah scholarship; his stature as one of the leading hal- achic decisors of his time, follow- ing in the footsteps of his revered father Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l; his leadership of Mesivta Tiferes Yerushalayim, where he served for decades as Rosh Hayeshivah and produced thousands of talmidim; his popular sefarim in the areas of Halachah and drush; his quiet, unas- suming demeanor that endeared him to Jews from all walks of life. Ish Haklal Less well-known, though, was the At a meeting of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. incredible amount of time and ener- gy Rav Dovid devoted to addressing the communal and personal chal- lenges facing “Klal Yisrael and Reb Yisrael.” Perhaps most notably, he was instrumental in the found- ing and development of Artscroll — a historic undertaking that has transformed the face of the Jewish People. He would frequently lend his name and kochos to help raise funds for urgent projects and worthy mos- dos. A relatively recent example was the major campaign approxi- mately four years ago to add new classrooms and new teaching staff for the children of French Jewry as they were making aliyah to Israel to escape escalating anti-Semitism in France. Rav Dovid traveled from city to city, leading a delegation that included Harav Aryeh Malkiel Kot- ler, shlita, the Satmar Rebbe Harav Zalman Leib, shlita, and a number of distinguished baalei battim, to raise the money needed to establish these programs in Eretz Yisrael. Rav Dovid also took to heart the With the Novominsker Rebbe, zt”l, and, ybl”c, Mr. Shlomo Werdiger. plight of individuals who would turn to him when they were in des- reviewed numerous documents and would almost always carry the day. Siyatta DiShmaya perate straits and urgently needed proposed statements — the pains- Occasionally, Rav Dovid would Rabbi Moshe Sherer, z”l, would assistance. I was personally on the taking process by which Gedolei Yis- wait until after the meeting had often say that there was enormous receiving end of a number of calls rael apply their daas Torah to press- concluded to offer his input. I recall value in having Gedolei Yisrael sit from Rav Dovid over the years, ask- ing issues of the day. once when the Moetzes was con- together around a table to develop ing me to assist an individual who I have had the great privilege to sidering publishing a statement on policies on issues of the day — even had gotten ensnared in the crimi- participate as a lay representative a particularly sensitive topic, and if some participants in the meet- nal justice system, or to help place a of Agudas Yisroel in many meetings various members had offered their ing keep their silence throughout yasom in summer camp. Needless to of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah. In comments and suggestions on a pro- the deliberations. There is a spe- say, Rav Dovid’s personal interest in that capacity, I often marveled at the posed draft. Rav Dovid approached cial siyatta diShmaya, said Rabbi these cases left a great impression unique role Rav Dovid would play at me after the others had left to tell me Sherer, when Torah giants gather on me. these meetings. He would sit in his that a particular paragraph needed together to address matters affect- seat, paying careful attention to the to be rewritten in a certain way. ing the klal. These great people A Unique Role on the presentations, obviously engaged in Why hadn’t he said so during the enhance the proceedings just by Moetzes the deliberations of his colleagues. meeting? I didn’t have the chutzpah their mere presence alone. As a member of Agudas Yisro- Yet he would typically remain silent to ask him, but I believe that it was Rav Dovid Feinstein undoubt- el’s Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and throughout the discussions unless because of his sensitivity to the feel- edly brought great levels of siyatta Torah Umesorah’s Vaad Roshei specifically solicited for his opinion: ings of some of his junior chaveirim diShmaya to every Torah gather- Yeshiva, Rav Dovid participated in “Vos zugt der Rosh Hayeshivah fun on the Moetzes who might be hurt ing he participated in. He will be countless meetings and phone con- Tiferes Yerushalayim?” So prompt- had he challenged them during the sorely missed. Mi yiten lanu tmu- ferences, heard many presentations, ed, he would state his view — which heat of the deliberations. raso! SUPPLEMENT 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 Torah Umesorah 13 A Pillar of Leadership
BY RABBI SHMUEL YAAKOV KLEIN
For the second time in seven months, Torah Umesorah (TU) — indeed, Yahadus America and Klal Yisrael as a whole — sustained a most insuf- ferable loss upon the petirah of one of the Torah world’s most towering figures, aposek of this generation — Hagaon Harav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l. He, and the Novominsker Rebbe, zt”l, who was niftar two days before Pesach, were among the most venerated elders of Torah Umesorah’s Vaad Roshei Yeshiva. As such, Rav Dovid was in the vanguard of Gedolei Yisrael whose wisdom and inspired leadership has been carving out the direction and the vision for chinuch in North America. The niftar’s relentless involvement with mat- ters of the klal left him precious little time. He was not only at the helm of the famed Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTo- rah of Agudath Israel of America; Rav Dovid was also at the beck and call of scores of people who telephoned the Rosh Yeshivah daily from across the globe with complicated questions in Hal- achah. And this, in addition to his own personal hasmadah, which was nothing less than legend- ary. Despite all this, he always answered the call of TU. According to TU’s Menahel, Rabbi Dovid Noj- owitz, “I had the zechus to interact with the Rosh the view that it is our duty to uphold the prac- Yeshivah on many occasions. The Rosh Yeshi- tices and policies handed down to us. Rav Dovid vah’s response to any request we made of him thus carried on with the sacred role that was Rav was always, ‘If it’s for Torah Umesorah, I must Moshe’s for many years. do it.’” Thus he attended functions and meetings In fact, two years ago, at a Torah Umesorah even when his compelling schedule often seemed Leadership convention, Rav Dovid received trib- to make those things impossible. “And he always ute for being one of three members of the orga- showed the warmth of a Gadol who appeared to nization’s Vaad Roshei Yeshiva who were carry- have nothing else in the world that needed his ing on the service of leadership of their fathers. attention more than we did,” Rabbi Nojowitz The other two were, yibadlu l’chaim tovim, Harav continued. Shmuel Kamenetsky, shlita, and Harav Aryeh “I remember not long ago,” the TU Menahel Malkiel Kotler, shlita. shared, “Rav Dovid agreed to attend an early Rabbi Nojowitz was quick to point out that, Sunday morning function of TU that took place despite appearances, Rav Dovid was the final in Deal, New Jersey. The varmkeit that he exuded authority on many of TU’s issues. In his demure was remarkable. And this was obviously felt by manner, he quickly responded, in a few short the throngs of local Yidden, including mothers words, to the most challenging matters that were and little children, who stood in line to receive put before him. “It was a common occurrence for a brachah from the Rosh Yeshivah and who dis- other members of the Vaad to tell me that they played such an outpouring of warmth toward could not make a decision on a matter before him.” consulting with Rav Dovid Feinstein.” Rabbi Nojowitz reminisced about a particular Moreover, on issues for which many other visit he paid to the Rosh Yeshivah’s office, which Roshei Yeshivos felt that they could not pasken, was both very small and a study in simplicity. they would regularly turn to the Rosh Yeshivah “That day he was taking part in a siyum with the who was able to pasken instantly, with neither kollel of Tiferes Jerusalem, and I joined him for hesitation nor doubt. the half-hour he was there. I just have such a It has been 34 years since the passing of Rav distinct memory of the simchah and the warmth zation.” Moshe Feinstein — 34 years since the mantle of that were felt by all during the siyum. The partic- In my own view, I could not help but think that leadership was assumed by his son, Rav Dovid ipants were visibly moved by the Rosh Yeshivah’s there were two possible explanations. One is that — 34 years during which the light that has shone presence.” he was fully aware of the importance of the activ- forth from the Rosh Yeshivah has illuminated the In truth, I myself attended meetings of the TU ities of TU and the impact that it has on hundreds lives and the paths of Klal Yisrael, radiating from Vaad Roshei Yeshiva numerous times when Rav of thousands of children. He thus sensed the the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The Rosh Dovid was present. His voice was seldom heard imperative to be a part of its deliberations and its Yeshivah was the manifestation of all the vir- during those meetings, as he appeared to defer to decision-making. tues we are meant to emulate in Gedolei Yisrael the views of the other participants. The exemplar However, a second factor that occurred to — from his brilliance to his offering himself for of the most sterling middos tovos — not the least me was that Rav Dovid served as heir to the pre- the sake of the tzibbur. From his character traits of which was his perfection of hatznei’a leches, cious legacy left him by his father, Hagaon Harav to his command of Torah. The void that has been modesty in all respects — Rav Dovid would sit Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, who for decades was a pil- created by his demise will not easily be filled by with a most pleasant countenance and would sel- lar in the forefront of leadership of TU. As was Yahadus Hachareidis in general. Nor will it be dom voice a view, or so it certainly seemed. I was pointed out by one of the maspidim at the funeral easily overcome by Torah Umesorah, the organi- most struck by his demeanor and by the fact that on Sunday morning, Rav Dovid was a stickler zation to which the Rosh Yeshivah was so unfail- he would show such commitment to our organi- for minhag and for mesorah, often expressing ingly devoted. Yehi zichro baruch. 14 Artscroll 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 SUPPLEMENT An Appreciation
Harav Dovid, zt”l, Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz, z”l, and ybl”c Harav Yaakov Bender, shlita, and his sons.
BY RABBI NOSSON SCHERMAN The other Gedolim knew it very soon, but little review his most complex teshuvos with Reb by little the general community realized that he Dovid before finalizing them. Interestingly, nei- When the Chazon Ish was niftar, the Brisker was a fitting successor to his immeasurably great ther father nor son objected to others who dis- Rav said, “Until now it was a world with the Cha- father. Even in Williamsburg, people came to him agreed with them, sometimes vehemently, or zon Ish. Now it’s a world without the Chazon Ish.” with their she’eilos and brought their children for even disrespectfully. Sometimes, a Rav or writer Those of us who knew the well-concealed brachos. And his brachos were much more than would ask for permission to disagree publicly Harav Dovid Feinstein even somewhat can say formal courtesies. or in writing, and the response was always the those same words: “Until now it was a world with An adam gadol was very ill and his doctors same. No one has a copyright on Torah. The cor- Reb Dovid. Now it’s a world without Reb Dovid.” told the family that his condition was hopeless rect ruling will be judged by the accuracy of its It’s a world without the person Harav Eliyashiv, and the end was only a few days away. The family proofs and reasoning. The broad acceptance of zt”l, called the Posek Hador of America. asked a confidant of Reb Dovid to arrange a meet- the decisions of both Reb Moshe and Reb Dovid Reb Dovid tried very hard to be a private per- ing with the Rosh Yeshivah so that they could speaks for itself. son, to conceal his greatness, to spend his life seek his rulings on medical and end-of-life ques- A wealthy, very successful businessman told learning and teaching. He acted like an ordinary tions. The meeting took place and he answered this writer that many of his deals involved com- Jew — brim-down fedora, short jacket, avoidance all their questions. At the end of the meeting, Reb plex halachic dilemmas, regarding which he of public life, and sitting in the middle of his beis Dovid said, “I answered you because you wanted always sought rabbinic guidance. He was once midrash as long as he could — but he failed. Much the meeting, but none of it will be necessary.” advised to consult Reb Dovid. The man told me, though he tried to mask his stature, his greatness The Gadol recovered and resumed his very busy “When I was halfway through describing the sit- shone through and he was forced to accept the schedule for several years. uation, Reb Dovid understood it better than I did burdens and honors of leadership, but neither Reb Dovid was more than the biological heir ad told me what to do. Since then I bring all my his dress nor his manner changed. Even late in of the Gadol Hador, Harav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l. hard ones to him.” his life he would do the Erev Shabbos shopping, Reb Dovid and his father would learn together On a more mundane matter, a girls’ school assisted by his loyal disciple Eugene. every night and the Rosh Yeshivah would often administrator wanted to turn his backyard into SUPPLEMENT 24 Cheshvan 5781 // November 11, 2020 Artscroll 15 a playground, but there was a fruit For the last several months, while tree in the yard. He consulted Reb he was in poor health, he was work- Dovid. In the course of the con- ing on a commentary to the second versation, it emerged that the fruit half of the Haggadah, from Hallel tree had not produced fruit for a to the end. As in everything he did, few years. The Rosh Yeshivah said his originality was astounding. He simply, “If it doesn’t give fruit, it’s would allude to new ideas and base not a fruit tree.” Case closed. An them on references to pesukim, important element of his greatness Gemaros, and Midrashim. It was was that he could cut to the core of a obvious from his handwriting that question without being obstructed he was weak and did not have the by extraneous details. strength to check the sources he Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz, z”l, and was quoting. However, every source the Rosh Yeshivah were extremely was accurate — daf, chapter, and close, from when Reb Meir was a passuk — which is great testimony talmid of Mesivtha Tifereth Jeru- to his total knowledge of Shas and salem. For forty years they spoke on Tanach. the phone almost every day. It was Equally astounding to those natural, therefore, that from the who knew him best was his has- first day of ArtScroll/Mesorah, Reb madah. He learned with total con- Dovid was a key to every important centration. Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz decision. If there was ever a ques- was once with him on a four-hour tion of whether to undertake a proj- flight. TheRosh Yeshivah was so ect, Reb Dovid’s word was law. engrossed in his learning that he That relationship continued was oblivious to anything else. That with Rabbi Gedaliah Zlotowitz, he was thoroughly familiar with who expressed our feelings about the Gemara didn’t matter; learning Reb Dovid in one word: “Irreplace- must be done without distraction. able!” At one point, Reb Meir told In addition to his regular shi- Reb Dovid that our financial situa- urim in the Mesivtha, Reb Dovid tion was so dire that we would have said a Chumash shiur every Friday. to drop a major project. The Rosh It was open to the public and peo- Yeshivah said that we must contin- ple came from all over and from all ue and Hashem would help. A little walks of life. Some professionals later that day, he called to say he had would leave their offices to attend arranged a major loan. The work the shiur. As in his writing, these continued, and before long there sessions were incredibly original. was indeed siyatta diShmaya. Never did he quote commentators. When the Mesorah Heritage His insights were always true and Foundation was created to fund firmly based, but how he interpret- ArtScroll’s scholarly work, Reb ed the verses to include these con- Dovid became a founding trustee cepts was his and his alone. and never missed a meeting. It was Understandably and justly, the first time he lent his name and there is great focus on his great- active presence to anything out- ness in Torah and Halachah, but side his Mesivtha. He asserted that he was equally great in the extraor- ArtScroll’s work was essential to dinary degree of his chessed. He Klal Yisrael and he therefore felt would do anything to help a fellow compelled to depart from his prac- Jew, whether it was a child in the tice of avoiding such involvements. yeshivah, a widow or orphan, or a Often overlooked in discuss- once-successful businessman who ing the Feinstein family is a point had fallen on hard times. A penni- noted by Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz. We less unfortunate was as important all assert our faith in Chazal, but in to him as a major supporter of the many cases it is in the abstract. To Mesivtha. If the Torah does not dif- Reb Moshe and his sons, every word ferentiate between them, how could of Chazal was a reality, as concrete he? and immovable as Mount Everest. Near the end, he said that he When asked how it is possible that wanted a small levayah. Just as one of the monumental baalei tze- he fled from honors in life, so he dakah of the generation could have resisted it when he was leaving this suffered critical financial revers- world. Thanks to COVID and the es, Reb Dovid said simply that he availability of video hookups, his probably didn’t give as much as he request was substantially granted. should have. In normal times, there would been He did not wear his yiras at least 100,000 people to bid fare- Shamayim on his sleeve, but it was well to the Gadol Hador. absolute, as was his unwavering Our generation has suffered an fidelity to theHalachah . incalculable loss. Klal Yisrael will Unlike his father, Reb Dovid was survive. It always does. But it takes not a prolific writer. Over the years, a long time to fill the void. Hagaon he wrote several sefarim in English Harav Dovid ben Hagaon Harav to provide the Mesivtha with much- Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, has left us a needed fundraising vehicles. He huge legacy of Torah, chessed, yiras would send handwritten notes to Shamayim, and the example of how this writer, who would do the actual a Jew should live. His life should be writing. a road map for us all. ויהי דוד לכל דרכיו משכיל וה’ עמו שמואל א’ פרק י”ח פסוק י”ד