The Only Time Rabbi Elyashiv Cried

Two Torah leaders, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky and Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein, are brothers-in-law, both married daughters of the great Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.

In the Divrei Si’ach bulletin, the editor shared something deeply moving that took place during a recent Torah discussion between the two brothers-in-law. Rabbi Kanievsky told Rabbi Zilberstein about a rare and unforgettable moment in their father-in-law’s life.

Rabbi Elyashiv, he explained, was known for having incredible strength over his emotions. Throughout his life, he endured great sorrow including the loss of his wife and four of his daughters. Yet, no one ever saw him cry. He was in full control of his feelings, even in the face of heartbreaking personal tragedy.

And yet, said Rabbi Kanievsky, “There was one time I remember seeing tears fall from his eyes.”

He went on to describe what had happened.

Years ago, a young yeshiva student was struggling deeply with his Torah learning. He couldn’t find meaning or satisfaction in his studies, no matter how hard he tried. Those around him offered encouragement, but nothing helped. The boy was reaching a point of despair and he was on the verge of walking away from the path of Torah, possibly forever, G-d forbid.

His family, desperate to help him, brought him to speak with Rabbi Elyashiv, hoping for a blessing, or a few guiding words that might light the way.

“When they told our father-in-law what the boy was going through,” Rabbi Kanievsky said, “he began to cry. Real tears fell from his eyes tears of pain and sorrow over what this boy was going through. Here was a young soul who simply wanted to learn Hashem’s Torah, but was being pulled away by the yetzer hara (evil inclination).”

The boy was deeply moved. Seeing the great Torah leader, someone so deeply spiritual, so devoted to learning had shed tears over his struggles touched him in a way that no words ever could.

He later said he didn’t need any encouragement after that. Just witnessing Rabbi Elyashiv’s heartfelt tears gave him the strength to return to yeshiva and try again. With Hashem’s help, he went on to grow in Torah and strengthen his yiras Shamayim, his deep respect for Hashem.

As Rabbi Kanievsky concluded: “As much as Rabbi Elyashiv was elevated and completely immersed in the holy Torah, he also felt so deeply the pain of a single boy who couldn’t yet feel the sweetness of Torah...”

Courtesy of the ‘Dirshu’ website.