The Humble Torah Leader: Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer

Tomorrow evening and Wednesday, the 10th of Kislev 5785, marks 71 years since the passing of the great Torah scholar, Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer. He was born on the 5th of Adar I, 5630 (1870), and passed away on the 10th of Kislev, 5714 (1953). Rabbi Meltzer served as the Rabbi of Slutsk and the head of its yeshiva (Torah academy). Later in life, he became Rosh Yeshiva (dean) of the famous Etz Chaim Yeshiva in Jerusalem, and also served as Chairman of the Council of Torah Sages.

The Midrash Tanchuma teaches a beautiful lesson about Torah. It asks: Why was the Torah given in a desert? And answers: “Because anyone who does not make himself ownerless like the desert cannot truly acquire the Torah.” The Torah was given in the wilderness to show that humility is the key to receiving it.

Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer demonstrated humility in everything he did.

In the sefer Lev Yisrael, Rabbi Yisrael Grossman shares a touching memory: “Rabbi Isser Zalman stood out for his simplicity and humility. When a yeshiva student came to him—even one from a small, lesser-known yeshiva—he would speak with him as if he were an experienced Torah scholar. If the student asked a good question or shared an insight, Rabbi Isser Zalman would literally jump with joy, full of praise for the beauty of Torah.”

Rabbi Grossman recalls a remarkable story that he witnessed himself—one that he says he still can’t forget.

“It was the 13th of Nissan, right before Pesach (Passover), the night of bedikat chametz (the search for leavened bread). I went into a local synagogue to learn, but the gabbai (synagogue caretaker) told me they were cleaning for the holiday and asked me to find another place. I tried a second synagogue—same story.

Not sure where to go, I decided to go to the home of the Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Isser Zalman. He welcomed me warmly. I told him I had come to reden in lernen—to discuss words of Torah. He smiled, happy to learn together, and leaned in to hear my thoughts.

Suddenly, I saw his face turn pale. His wife, the Rebbetzin, noticed and asked him what had happened.

On the table sat a simple meal: a slice of bread, a little spread, and a cup of coffee. And I? I had walked in and immediately begun to speak in learning. To this day, I still can’t forgive myself. Why didn’t I just wait a few minutes and let him eat?

Instead, we learned for almost two hours. The Rabbi listened, answered, questioned, and taught with clarity and depth.

Around noon, Rebbetzin Baila Hinda returned, her arms full of shopping bags for the upcoming holiday. She looked at the table and saw the plate and cup just as she had left them. She asked her husband, ‘Why haven’t you eaten anything?’

Rabbi Isser Zalman answered simply, ‘A young man came to discuss Torah—how could I stop in the middle to eat?’

She asked gently, ‘But couldn’t you have asked him to wait a few minutes so you could finish your meal and then give him your full attention?’

He looked at her in surprise: ‘What do you think I am? A professor that people need to wait for me?’”

This was his greatness. Even in the middle of a simple meal, if someone came with a Torah question, that came first.

Another story, from the book Educating with Joy by Rabbi Moshe Michael Tzoren, shows a different but equally beautiful side of Rabbi Isser Zalman.

On Simchat Torah—the joyful celebration of the Torah—Rabbi Meltzer had a special tradition. In the Etz Chaim Yeshiva, he would hold a dance just for the youngest children, those who had just begun learning the alef-bet (Hebrew alphabet).

Even though great Torah scholars and righteous individuals were present, this tall, dignified man would dance hand-in-hand with little children. Those who saw it never forgot it. He would jump and dance with such energy and joy—his face glowing.

And what song did they sing together?

“Kamatz Alef - Ā,” “Kamatz Bet - Bā,” and so on. Rabbi Isser Zalman would call out each letter with a tune full of sweetness, and the children would joyfully repeat after him.

It wasn’t just a song. It was a way to pass down the joy and love of Torah. You could feel how deeply Rabbi Isser Zalman wanted to plant that sweetness into their hearts.