Our Interview with Rabbi Kakon Behind Every Story of Success in Role Model

Let’s Talk Tachlis _______ Vol. 4 issue 1 Shevat 5778 בס''ד A Publication of Yeshiva Yesodei HaTorah General Studies Department Our Interview with Rabbi Kakon Behind every story of success in role model. I also grew up with a learning, there are many long brother who does not hear, so we years of struggle. Every Talmid had each other growing up, and Chacham has, by definition, you could say that was my sup- walked a long, tough road. For port system. Another very im- Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Kakon, deaf portant thing is that my parents from birth, the challenge was always accepted me for who I greater than for most. When he was, and that was very crucial in was a teenager, success in learn- giving me self esteem as a child. I ing seemed beyond his reach – just never gave much thought to until a couple of unexpected, dra- the fact that it was supposed to be matic events changed everything. a negative thing to not hear! Our Grade 8 students, listening very carefully and intently, had a Learning is often difficult even chance to interview the Rosh Ye- for those who have perfect shiva of Toronto’s own Nefesh hearing. What were the extra Dovid, the world’s only dedicated challenges for the Rosh Yeshi- yeshiva for young men with hear- va, and how did he overcome ing loss. them? Transcribed by Eliyahu Kakon, That is a good question. When I Grade 8 grew up I did not go to yeshiva. I went to public school, because, at that time, many yeshivos were not Where was the Rosh Yeshiva equipped to take in children who born? did not hear or who had special needs. I went to public school I was born in New York. I lived in until I was about sixteen. Lakewood for three years. Then Then it happened that I went to we moved to Los Angeles, where Toronto for a Shabbaton where my father was a rebbe in Rav Israel, but my father is the only Photo by R’ A. Dworetsky there was a group of deaf kids. Simcha Wasserman’s yeshiva. one who went to America. My grandfather went to help them, much loved by his father, the so I went along, with my brother, What can the Rosh Yeshiva tell My mother is an einekel of the Brownsville Rebbe, who taught to be part of the experience. Over us about his parents? Baal Shem Tov, through her fa- him at home. Shabbos I had the opportunity to ther. My grandfather’s father, who meet with bochurim from Ner Yis- My father was born in Morocco was known as the Brownsville Was the Rosh Yeshiva born roel, and we really hit it off. When and was very young when his Rebbe, was one of the earliest with hearing loss? Or was it the I came home I realized that I father was niftar. When he was rebbes in America, and the son of result of something that hap- could not stay in public school. I about 10 or 11, he went to Lon- the Yampoli Rebbe, Rav Eliezer pened later? told my parents, “I need to go to don with his two brothers, one Chaim Rabinowitz. My own yeshiva.” They supported the older and one younger, to learn in grandfather was Rav Dovid Yes, I was born with a hearing idea, but they said that since I had Rav Moshe Schneider’s yeshiva. Eliezer, so I got the other name, loss. My older brother also does one more year at high school, I There were many boys who came Chaim, from my great-great-great- not hear. He lives in Flatbush. I should finish. Then I could go to from Morocco to learn in his ye- grandfather, the Yampoli Rebbe. was born with a twin sister who yeshiva, maybe in Israel, to help shiva. Many times there was not My second name, Tzvi, I got from hears, B”H. me learn. But I was not happy. enough food to eat, and Rebbet- the other side, through my grand- Somehow, something told me, zin Szemiatacki used to take my father’s maternal grandfather, my What were the Rosh Yeshiva’s “No. It needs to be now – not in father into her home and give him great-grandfather, Rav Naftali experiences socially as a child? six months or a year, but right extra food when she could. She Tzvi Horowitz, an einekel of the Was he lonely? now.” So I wrote a letter to my had a soft spot for my father. Ropshitzer Rebbe. Rav Naftali new friend, Reb Yossi Years later, Hagaon Rav Aharon Tzvi is buried right here in Toronto Sometimes I felt lonely. It had to Bienenstock from Toronto, who Kotler came to visit the yeshiva, on Roselawn; there is a small be expected due to the fact that I now lives in Israel, and I told him and that year he took one talmid, ohel by the entrance to the Bais could not hear. I could not, or was how I felt. One week later, I got a my father, to Lakewood. That’s Hachaim. My mother grew up with not allowed, to be part of groups. letter back, “Come to our yeshiva. how he came to America. His two deaf parents. Her father, when he But, Baruch Hashem, I had the We will help you.” So my father brothers, my uncles, are still sit- was growing up, was the only one zechus to know my grandfather. called and spoke with the Rosh ting and learning in Yerushalayim. in his family who did not hear. He He lived near us wherever we Yeshiva, Rabbi Naftali Friedler They went from England back to was the youngest child and very went, so he was a very important - continued on Page 10 Let’s Talk Tachlis _______ 2 Vol. 4 issue 1 Shevat 5778 From the Many, One By Rabbi Mendel Bornstein declared: “There are two occasions when fam- well.” Principal, General Studies ily comes together, at times of sorrow and at “No, that would not suffice. It was important times of celebration.” that you appreciate the gravity of the situation, The atmosphere is festive. The band churns Chazal teach us that the lack of camaraderie and how close this man’s plight is to my heart. out melody after melody of leibidige chassid- wrought upon us the churban and our subse- I could only accomplish this by exerting myself ishe niggunim. The centre floor is a nonstop quent dispersion into exile. Consequently, its physically to display how earnest I am about arena of lively, high-stepping dancers. The restoration, the spirit of family, will herald our this issue, and how much I view it on a per- mechutan and the chosson are regally attired redemption. sonal level. There was no other way!” in satin and velvet. It is truly a sight to behold, Yet sometimes we need a gentle reminder. “Since the Rebbe needs a more significant a real rebbishe wedding. The Kopishnitzer Rebbe zt”l once braved the donation, can I make out a cheque?” Hey! Who is that “clown” jumping into the mid- frigid winter weather and travelled to midtown “No problem. A cheque is fine. As long as I dle of the circle? Does he think the onlookers Manhattan to meet one of his wealthy chassi- can deliver the funds immediately.” are interested in watching him? Surely he dim. As he entered the office, the secretary The philanthropist whipped out his cheque must realize that he’s out of place at this affair! immediately recognized the rebbe and swiftly book. “To whom shall I make it out?” There He’s not even dressed properly for such a notified her boss of his esteemed and unex- was a split-second hesitation. chassidishe wedding. He’s from a completely pected visitor. Breathlessly, he burst into the “Make it out to your brother.” different clan, poles apart from all the other antechamber. Rav Gad’l Eisner zt”l, the famous mashgiach, guests. Oh, look how courteously the “Rebbe!” He blurted out. “What happened? stressed the importance of caring for family. mechutan is handling him, the attention he is Why did the Rebbe come all the way from To some this includes spouse and children. To giving him, how warmly he is dancing with Brooklyn on such a freezing day?” others it consists of all close relatives. But to him! But doesn’t the guy realize that he “I came for a very serious issue that could those greats like the Kopishnitzer Rebbe zt”l, doesn’t belong here? Well, certainly not in the bear no delay. Someone is in dire need of family encompasses all of Klal Yisroel. centre, and definitely not for so long! Some assistance, and I believe you might be able to When we reach that lofty goal of feeling for people, I guess, just don’t seem to get it. help.” each other as one large family, we will be that Years go by, tragedy strikes, and our noble “But for this the Rebbe needed to make a spe- much closer to becoming one happy family. mechutan is now sitting shiva. I enter the cial trip to Manhattan? I see the Rebbe every The events of the last few weeks are a giant house for nichum aveilim and there he is day in his bais medrash! Why didn’t the Rebbe step in that direction. May it hasten the arrival again; my nemesis, the intruder at the wed- just solicit the funds from me in Brooklyn? I of the Goel Tzedek, speedily, in our times.

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