The Steipler’s Words That Carried a Broken Principal Through Tragedy

Rabbi Chananya Chollak once shared how the Steipler Rebbe, Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, offered strength and clarity to a heartbroken educator.

“In 1964, an unspeakable tragedy took place at the Beit Yaakov girls’ seminary in Be’er Yaakov,” Rabbi Chollak said. “Nine young students drowned during a school trip. The girls were sitting peacefully on the beach in Tel Aviv when, out of nowhere, a giant wave swept them into the sea. It pulled them into a powerful whirlpool, and they were never seen again.”

The devastation left the seminary principal, Rabbi Moshe Jacobson, in unbearable grief. He couldn’t eat or drink. His spirit was crushed. Though he understood that what happened wasn’t within human control, the pain was overwhelming.

Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, a friend and fellow Torah educator, visited Rabbi Moshe. He sat with him for hours, gently speaking words of comfort and truth. “You are not to blame,” he reassured him again and again. Eventually, with Rabbi Wolbe’s quiet persistence, Rabbi Moshe agreed to eat something. But the deep sadness in his heart remained.

Then one day, the Steipler Rebbe came to visit.

Rabbi Moshe poured out his heart: “There have been two disasters at the seminary. First, a terrible fire broke out in the dormitory. And now this, the drowning of nine precious girls. Isn’t it possible that these are signs from Shamayim (Heaven), telling us that the seminary should be closed? Even though I know, deep down, that we didn’t do anything wrong in either case... perhaps this is a message?”

The Steipler looked at him with warmth and clarity. “The seminary, the Torah learning, the spiritual growth you provide, this is what uplifts these girls. Without it, they would be lost spiritually,” he said.

“And when someone does something good and true, according to the path of the Torah, you don’t look at signs,” the Steipler added firmly.

He repeated his encouragement: “Your seminary is good. It’s needed. It’s bringing light and strength to these girls. You must continue. Don’t pay attention to these signs, because we don’t understand their meaning.”

Those words offered Rabbi Moshe the permission his heart needed not just to keep the seminary open, but to keep going, with renewed purpose and faith.