The Greatness in Small Acts: Stories of Rabbi Shlomo Zalman and the Steipler

1. Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Rosh Yeshiva (head of yeshiva) of Kol Torah, was one of the great Torah scholars of our time. Yet despite his immense knowledge, he was equally known for his humility, warmth, and down-to-earth nature.

Kol Torah Yeshiva is located in the Bayit Vegan neighborhood of Jerusalem, while Rabbi Shlomo Zalman lived in the Shaarei Chesed neighborhood. The yeshiva offered to send him a car or taxi to bring him to and from the yeshiva, but he gently refused. His entire life, even into old age, he traveled by city bus.

It was a common sight: Rabbi Shlomo Zalman standing in the rain or summer heat, waiting at the bus stop in Machane Yehuda, then boarding the crowded bus and riding it to Bayit Vegan with everyone else.

2. On one of those trips, the bus stopped right by the yeshiva’s entrance on Hapisga Street. Yet Rabbi Shlomo Zalman didn’t get off—he continued riding to the last stop and then walked back to the yeshiva on foot.

His students were puzzled. “Rebbi,” they asked, “Torah learning is so precious—why didn’t you get off with us at the closer stop?”

With his familiar gentle smile, he replied, “I was sitting by the window, and next to me sat a Yid (Jew) with bags. I didn’t want to trouble him by making him get up with all his things.”

3. The Steipler Gaon, Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, was also known for his incredible sensitivity to others. His brother-in-law, the Chazon Ish, had a daily minyan (prayer group) in his home for Mincha (afternoon prayer) at exactly 1:00 PM, and the Steipler would often join.

One day, the Steipler got up and prepared to leave at 12:45 PM. At that moment, ten men were present—including him. If he left, there wouldn’t be a minyan, and the Chazon Ish would have to daven (pray) alone.

“Please stay,” the household members urged. “You’re the tenth!”

“I’m sorry,” the Steipler said quietly, “but I have an appointment with the plumber at one o’clock.”

They tried to convince him. “So the plumber will wait a few minutes—it’s for the Chazon Ish!”

But the Steipler responded firmly: “I can’t pray like that, knowing someone is waiting and losing time or money because of me.” And the Chazon Ish agreed: “One must not delay prayer at the expense of someone else’s time.”

4. Another story about the Steipler’s care for others: Once, someone came to bring him to a brit milah (circumcision ceremony) where he was to serve as the sandak—the one who holds the baby. The man told the Steipler that the taxi was already waiting.

The Steipler had planned to put on socks, but hearing that the driver was already outside, he quickly slipped on his shoes without socks and hurried out. He would rather be sandak without socks than make the driver wait and lose time or money.

These small moments teach us something big: Torah greatness begins with being a mensch—a truly decent person. Before anything else, one must care for others, never cause another distress, and live with thoughtfulness and kindness in every step.