A Glimpse into Greatness: Two Heartfelt Stories About Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer

The immense greatness of our Torah sages is often seen not just through their teachings or leadership, but through the seemingly small moments in their lives. These moments, when looked at closely, teach us how to become more sensitive to others and how to truly feel what’s in another person’s heart. Here are two deeply moving stories about Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer that show just that.

Today, the 10th of Kislev, marks 67 years since the passing of Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer (5 Adar I 5630 – 10 Kislev 5714; February 1870 – November 17, 1953). He served as the rabbi and head of the yeshiva in Slutsk and later became the head of the Etz Chaim Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He was also the chairman of the Council of Torah Sages.

Many streets are named in his honor: Even Ha’Ezel Street in Bnei Brak, named after his famous book; his own street in Jerusalem, Ha’ARI; and Ra’AZ Street in Rehovot (Ra’AZ stands for “Rabbi Isser Zalman”). His son, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda, became the chief rabbi of Rehovot. The Even Ha’Ezel Yeshiva, founded for young boys, was named after him as well, and later merged with the Negev Yeshiva in Netivot. In 2015, the yeshiva moved to Modi’in Illit.

Among his many students were Torah giants such as Rabbi Elazar Menachem Shach, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Rabbi Michal Yehuda Lefkowitz, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, Rabbi Yechiel Michel Feinstein, Rabbi Israel Yaakov Fisher, Rabbi Yitzchak Kulitz, and many others.

In the book Tuvcha Yabi'u, two incredible stories are shared about Rabbi Isser Zalman. They show how the eyes of tzaddikim—truly righteous people—can see things that others simply cannot. This kind of spiritual clarity comes from a lifetime spent immersed in Torah and deep connection to Hashem. Eyes that are always fixed on the Gemara (Talmud) are sometimes given the ability to see beyond the physical.

It’s told that Rabbi Isser Zalman could sense whether a dish had been properly immersed in the mikvah (ritual bath), which is a halachic (Jewish law) requirement before using it. He once said that when a vessel was properly immersed, he could see the name of Hashem upon it. When this was told to the Brisker Rav (Rabbi Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik), he wasn’t surprised at all. “Is that a wonder coming from Rav Isser Zalman? Do we even grasp the depth of his everyday words?” he replied.

And if you want to understand why the Brisker Rav wasn’t amazed, the next story makes it clear.

The true greatness of a Torah sage often reveals itself through the smallest actions—things we might easily miss. But when we pause to reflect, we see how these acts come from deep care, humility, and understanding of others.

Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein once shared: “I remember something that happened when I was a child studying at the Etz Chaim cheder (elementary Torah school). It made a huge impression on us all.

Rabbi Isser Zalman was saying goodbye to his son-in-law, Rabbi Aharon Kotler, and his grandson, Rabbi Shneur Kotler. They were leaving Israel to return to America, where they would go on to build one of the greatest Torah centers in the United States—Lakewood Yeshiva.

Rabbi Aharon Kotler and his son had been saved from the horrors of the Holocaust in miraculous ways. After spending some time in Israel, they were flying back to the U.S. Rabbi Shneur was engaged, and his wedding was set to take place soon after they arrived.

We watched as Rabbi Isser Zalman stood with deep emotion, watching them walk down the steps from his apartment. But we noticed something strange: he didn’t follow them all the way down to the street. He only walked them halfway, gave them a kiss, and said goodbye.

We were confused. Why didn’t he go all the way down to the car?

When asked, Rabbi Isser Zalman gave an answer that shook our hearts: ‘Not all of my grandson’s friends merited to reach the moment he is at now. Most of them were murdered in the Holocaust, sanctifying Hashem’s name with their lives. How could I go out to the street, kiss him in public, and show joy—when so many families never reached such a moment?’”

This is the heart of a Torah scholar. It’s this sensitivity, this deep awareness of others' pain, that helps us understand the earlier story about the mikvah vessel. When the Brisker Rav said he wasn’t surprised, it was because he knew that someone who lives with such awareness of Hashem and other people could reach spiritual heights beyond our understanding.

May the memory of Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer be a blessing, and may his merit protect us all.