When Hashem Takes to Give: A Story of Torah and Legacy

During the time of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, there lived a Jewish businessman named Reb Moshe Soloveitchik. He was involved in the lumber trade and had great success, becoming known for his wealth and for generously helping fellow Jews in need. But then, without warning, all his fortune disappeared. People were shocked.

The elders of the town gathered to investigate what had happened. They carefully reviewed all of Reb Moshe’s business dealings to figure out the cause of his financial collapse. After thorough checking, they couldn’t find anything wrong with the way he had run his business. Some suggested that perhaps he had gone against the advice of the Sages, who teach that one should not give more than a fifth of their income to tzedakah (charity). Reb Moshe, after all, had been extremely generous, giving to anyone who asked.

But Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin disagreed. He insisted that it couldn’t be that Reb Moshe had lost everything because of his kindness. Giving charity beyond what is advised, when done from a pure heart, could not be punished in such a way.

With no business to manage, Reb Moshe turned his full attention to Torah learning. He began to spend his days in the beit midrash (study hall), learning with deep focus and determination. It soon became clear that he had an incredible mind for Torah. He advanced quickly and became known as a top scholar. He also brought his sons with him to the study hall, and they too grew in Torah, eventually becoming well-known talmidei chachamim (Torah scholars).

Years went by, and the sons of Reb Moshe Soloveitchik rose to prominence in the Torah world. They became the founders of the Brisk dynasty, a family of Torah giants who would leave a powerful mark on Jewish learning. This dynasty included Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (the Beit HaLevi), Rabbi Chaim of Brisk, and Rabbi Yitzchak Zev of Brisk—all names that shine brightly in Torah history.

When the greatness of Reb Moshe’s children became clear, Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin explained what had really happened. “Now I understand why Reb Moshe lost all his wealth,” he said. “From heaven, they wanted to give him a reward so great, a family of Torah scholars whose teachings would uplift the Jewish people. But such a gift could not come from a house of comfort and luxury. In order for such Torah to grow, they had to take away the wealth, so that Reb Moshe and his family would turn to Torah with total devotion.”

Rabbi Chaim added, “The Shechinah (Divine Presence) that rests on such a dynasty cannot be supported by riches and honor. It must come from the hard work of Torah learning and genuine good deeds. Reb Moshe gave up his business and worldly pleasures to devote himself to Hashem’s Torah, and because of that, he was blessed to become the father of a line of Torah giants who would illuminate all of Israel.”