Celebrating Two Jewish Scholars: R. Yechezkel Sarna and R. Yom Tov Lipmann Heller

Rabbi Yechezkel (son of Rabbi Yaakov Chaim) Sarna

Led the Hebron Yeshiva. He authored a book of ethics named "Dalyot Yechezkel" and a book of Jewish law called "Divrei Yechezkel." He studied at the Slabodka Yeshiva; during World War I, many students were conscripted into the Russian army. Rabbi Yechezkel miraculously escaped and fled to Radin, where he stayed for a year and a half under the tutelage of the Chofetz Chaim, who held him in high regard. After the war, the elder of Slabodka requested that he return to the yeshiva, and he complied. When the Russians resumed their conscription efforts, he was sent to establish a yeshiva in Israel and took leadership of Hebron Yeshiva.

Rabbi Sarna would say: "It is written 'and you shall teach your sons,' and the sages interpret this as 'your students.' Why not write 'students'? It teaches that if you don’t treat your students as sons, they won’t truly become students."

With great excitement, Hebron Yeshiva students boarded buses to attend their friend's wedding, except for three who stayed behind, taking responsibility to keep the flame of Torah study burning. When the phone rang in the yeshiva office, they hesitated to answer, thinking it wasn't their place. But when it rang a third time, they realized it was urgent. "Hello, Hebron Yeshiva?" replied one student. On the other end was a somewhat distressed woman: "This is from Shaarei Zedek Hospital. We are sorry to inform you that Mrs. Mina passed away about an hour ago. We ask that funeral arrangements be made urgently."

Mrs. Mina, the yeshiva cook, was a lonely woman who passionately cooked for the students, hoping her efforts gave them strength to learn. Occasionally, she would wipe away a tear, and it wasn’t clear if it was from chopping onions or her own sorrow. She had confided in some students: "Rabbi Yechezkel Sarna promised me: 'When your time comes, you'll receive an honor not everyone gets. Hundreds of Torah students will accompany you on your final journey.' This promise lifts my spirits."

"What do we do now?" the students pondered. "It's 9 PM. By the time everyone returns from the wedding, hours will pass, and we can't delay the burial in Jerusalem. Yet a small funeral isn’t suitable." They decided to consult Rabbi Zvi Pesach Frank.

Within minutes, they reached Rabbi Frank, explaining the promise made by their yeshiva head. Rabbi Frank firmly instructed: "We can't delay a burial in Jerusalem. The promise is significant, but if she passed tonight, we must arrange a small funeral. If only you knew the anguish of a soul when the body isn't buried promptly, you wouldn't consider any alternatives."

Following his clear guidance, the students went to handle the arrangements. While passing by the yeshiva to turn off the lights, the phone rang again. "She's not dead," a nurse stated. "She's in a critical state but alive—a true resurrection miracle." Excitedly, the student informed his peers of the change in plans, and they resumed their studies with renewed passion. Later that night, the students returned from the wedding, dressed in their festive attire, unaware of the drama that transpired in their absence.

The next morning, the yeshiva office received another call: "The cook has passed away."

By midday, hundreds of students walked behind the solitary cook's coffin, giving her a dignified farewell.

Heavenly forces delayed her death to fulfill Rabbi Yechezkel Sarna's promise: "On your final day, you shall receive an honor not granted to many, with hundreds of yeshiva students escorting you to your rest." ('Shabbat Stories' Vol. 4, 292)

Rabbi Yom Tov (son of Rabbi Natan) Lipmann Heller

A student of the Maharal of Prague. He served as the rabbi in Nickelsburg, Prague, and Krakow.

He authored around fifty books, including works on the Rosh "Maadanei Yom Tov" and "Divrei Chamudot," along with many other writings and commentaries. His crowning achievement, which gave him his name, was his commentary on the Mishnah's six orders, "Tosefot Yom Tov," which he penned over about eight years.

The story goes that once his son Rabbi Shmuel fell seriously ill. Rabbi Yom Tov took his unpublished "Tosefot Yom Tov" manuscript and prayed: "Master of the Universe, perhaps I became prideful and found some material pleasure in my works. I vow to burn the manuscript." He prepared to set it ablaze when suddenly Shmuel called out: "Father, father, please don’t!"

Rabbi Yom Tov joyfully asked why, and Shmuel explained: "Just now in the world of truth, I heard they were deciding my fate, whether for life or death. Suddenly, I saw Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, the editor of the Mishnah, who said, 'Let him be, for his father authored the "Tosefot Yom Tov" purely for heaven's sake, often truly grasping the truth, and now wants to burn the manuscript.' Immediately, I awoke and felt an improvement."

He made "Yom Tov" for the sages.

Visitors to the Krakow cemetery are often puzzled to see Rabbi Yom Tov's grave at its edge, with a blocked stone gate behind his tombstone, which once served as a back entrance to the cemetery.

The reason lies in an intriguing story:

In Rabbi Yom Tov's time, a wealthy man called Shimon, known as "Shimon the Miser," was infamous for never giving even a penny to charity. He was cursed by everyone for his stinginess. In contrast, two other townsmen—one a baker, the other a butcher—were generous benefactors. Rabbi Yom Tov repeatedly reproved Shimon, to no avail.

One day, in need of charity, Rabbi Yom Tov chided Shimon and was met with stubborn refusal. "Look," he said, "the simple baker and butcher donate more than a fifth, and I admonish them not to give so extravagantly. Yet you, a rich man, refuse even once for an urgent cause?"

When Shimon persisted, Rabbi Yom Tov warned that, unless he changed, his burial would be by the gate. Shimon replied: "So be it!"

Indeed, at his death, Shimon was interred by the gate as a deterrent to others. However, following his passing, the baker and butcher ceased their generous giving. Summoned to Rabbi Yom Tov, they revealed that all along, they’d been distributing Shimon's money, bound by his request to keep it secret to preserve his honor.

Alarmed, Rabbi Yom Tov realized the unjust disgrace Shimon faced and pondered how to atone. "Only one way," he declared, choosing to be buried beside Shimon, turning the site into the city's most honored location. ('Tiferet Avot' Vizhnitz, 129)