We continue with stories of Gedolim that show their great Avahat Yisrael, Derech Eretz and Middot.
In the Artscroll book about Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky ( page 249), it says that the parents of a woman who used to help Rebitzen Kamenetsky with her shopping in Monsey happened to be in Florida one winter at the same time as Rav Yaakov and his Rebitzen. Out of gratitude for their daughter’s help, Rav Yaakov and his Rebitzen went to visit the couple. The father had little background in Torah, but nonetheless, he and Rav Yaakov spent an hour speaking amicably. At the end of the hour, the man’s face was aglow. He told his daughter, who was visiting from Monsey, “He is my friend. I love him.“
When his daughter asked what they had found to talk about, he was puzzled by the implication that there might have been any dearth of topics in conversation.“Medication‘s, mostly,“ he told her.
Unbelievable. The Rabbi didn’t really know this man, but out of gratitude for the man’s daughter, who helped his wife, he went to visit them in Florida and spent an hour of his time in light talk.
There’s another story (page 250) that tells how one of the Rebitzen’s friends once rang the bell to the side door of Rav Yaakov’s house in Monsey. She was expecting the Rebitzen to answer, but Rav Yaakov, who was in the living room, learning, came to the door instead. He told the woman that his wife was praying and invited her and her young son to come in and sit down. He remained with them until the Rebitzen had completed her prayers. Then, even after the Rebitzen appeared, he did not rush back to his learning. Every time the visitor started to speak to the Rebitzen, Rav Yaakov, who was walking back to the living room, would take a few steps back to listen to what she was saying. He considered it rude to ignore anyone who was speaking, even if that person was not addressing him. This happened three times, until the woman realized that if she did not remain silent until Rav Yaakov left the room, he would remain there all day.
Such is the respect that he had for people that he didn’t even really owe anything to, but who were being nice to his wife.
In another story about how much he respected people that helped his wife, he went out of his way to add personal touches to gifts, which would have great meaning to the recipient- Even a Bat mitzvah present given to the daughter of a woman who frequently drove the Rebitzen came inscribed the poem written by Rav Yaakov himself, based on the girl’s name.
It said, ( in Hebrew)
From Chana and Yaakov Kamenetsky,
Accept this our dear Haviva, our beloved
A small gift, on the day you enter the yoke of our Torah Our sweet beautiful Torah….etc
Look at the time he took to give a bat mitzvah present to the daughter of a woman that helped his wife!
Unbelievable.
These are the signs of greatness.
Have a wonderful day.