Walking Two Weeks for Torah and Finding a Father Figure

Though he was a simple boy, his heart was burning with a deep desire to learn Torah. Word had reached him about the prestigious yeshiva in Grodno, led by the Torah giant Rabbi Shimon Shkop, author of Shaarei Yosher. The boy knew that this was where he could truly grow in Torah.

But there was one problem, he had no money. The journey from his hometown to Grodno was far beyond what he could afford. Yet his passion for Torah was stronger than any obstacle. He made a bold decision: he would walk the entire way.

It took him two weeks to make the journey on foot. Every day he reviewed a single page of Gemara, the one he had chosen to be tested on. Unlike other yeshivot, where entrance exams often covered several pages or even entire tractates, Grodno’s exam was unique. The candidate would be tested on just one page, any page of his choosing but he had to know it deeply, with clarity and thorough understanding.

When the boy finally arrived at the yeshiva, he was worn out, starving, and exhausted. But he went straight to the Rosh Yeshiva’s office and explained why he had come. His appearance alone told the story of his journey.

Rabbi Shimon nodded gently and asked if he could begin with the first question. The boy agreed, heart pounding with nervous excitement.

But the Rav’s question was not about Gemara. Instead, he asked softly, “When was the last time you had a hot, cooked meal?”

The boy began to mumble, unsure how to respond. Without another word, Rabbi Shimon took his hand and led him to his home. He asked the Rebbetzin to prepare him a warm and nourishing meal. Then the Rabbi sat beside him and waited patiently until he had eaten and was completely satisfied.

Only then did he bring him into the living room and say with a smile, “May I ask you the second question in the test?”

The boy nodded again.

“When was the last time you slept in a warm, clean bed?”

Again, the young man didn’t know what to say.

Rabbi Shimon gently took him by the hand once more and brought him to one of the bedrooms in the house. He arranged fresh linens, prepared the bed, and made sure the house was quiet so the boy could rest. After a good, long sleep, he returned to the yeshiva ready to be tested.

He approached the Rosh Yeshiva, who welcomed him with warmth and said, “You’ve been accepted, my son. You’re already accepted. Do you really think that after walking two weeks, giving up your most basic comforts, and showing such incredible dedication to Torah you still need to be tested? Your desire to learn Torah is the greatest proof of who you are.”

The young man studied in the yeshiva for only a few months before World War II broke out. The yeshiva students scattered, and he eventually found himself in labor camps. But he held on to his Judaism with tremendous strength.

Years later, he shared, “I’m certain that what kept my faith intact through all those dark years was Rabbi Shimon’s character. The kindness he showed me made me want to become someone great. That one act of love stayed with me forever.”