Remembering Rabbi Ben Tzion Abba Shaul: 26 Years On

This coming Thursday, July 13, marks the 26th anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Ben Tzion Abba Shaul zt"l.

Born on July 31, 1924, Rabbi Abba Shaul served as the head of Porat Yosef Yeshiva in Jerusalem, and he was renowned for his halachic rulings. His students recall his meticulous care in respecting other people's property. Here are three stories from the book 'Our Master, the Light of Zion' that illuminate his extraordinary caution with others' money.

1. "I'm Just an Employee, Following Orders"

Once, Rabbi Abba Shaul announced to his students at Porat Yosef Yeshiva that they would study a certain tractate in the upcoming term. Some students voiced their discomfort: "We've already studied it before," they said. "Although our understanding has evolved, we'd rather learn a new tractate we haven't tackled yet."

Rabbi Abba Shaul listened patiently and replied gently: "If it were up to me, I would consider your request. But I am merely an employee. I follow the directives of the head of the yeshiva (the great Rabbi Yehuda Tzadka zt"l)," he said humbly. "I do not deviate right or left: if they say right, I turn right. If left, I turn left. The head of the yeshiva directed us to study this tractate, so that is what I will teach! Furthermore: even if I were instructed to study a single page of the Talmud all my life, I would do so!"

2. "I'm an Employee: In on Time, Out on Time!"

One of his students, Rabbi Moshe Aryeh, recalls Rabbi Abba Shaul coming to give lessons even when he was burning with fever. Rabbi Abba Shaul was also a skilled mohel, deeply valuing the mitzvah and traveling great distances to circumcise pure infants.

However, he set a condition for those who asked him to circumcise their child: "Not at the expense of my yeshiva time! Either at 8:30 AM, before class, or in the afternoon, after class." There were instances when a bris was scheduled for early morning, and when Rabbi Abba Shaul arrived to find the family still unprepared, he would leave for the yeshiva, apologizing, "I must hurry to class, I am an employee."

His oft-repeated phrase was: "I'm an employee: in on time, out on time!" His students recall that the truth was he often stayed long after his official duties were done.

3. "I Want to Enter the Apartment Without Any Debt"

A touching story was told by the contractor who built Rabbi Abba Shaul's apartment on Surotskin Street. "The Rabbi paid the price of the apartment according to the stages of construction as agreed, and upon completion, he received the key," the contractor said. "That day, Rabbi Abba Shaul called the contractor wanting to speak with him."

The contractor, fearing there might be defects in the apartment, offered to come to the Rabbi's home, but Rabbi Abba Shaul firmly replied, "No, I will come to you."

A short while later, Rabbi Abba Shaul arrived at the contractor's door. "See, I've paid for everything and received the key," said the Rabbi.

"Yes, certainly - if there's any complaint, any repair, just say it, we'll fix it immediately!"

"I don't know, we shall see. But I want to move into the new apartment tomorrow."

"Mazel tov!"

"Amen. And I want you to tell me if there is any outstanding debt. Any addition, any claim. I want to enter the apartment free of any debt or payment!"

"No, of course not, there is nothing. Everything has been paid!"

"Are you sure? Think it over, check your files, try to remember. Perhaps we requested something unusual, maybe additional construction or quality. I'm asking you, don't hide anything from me, I want to pay down to the last penny. Don't stop me from fulfilling a mitzvah!"

"No, you owe nothing!"

Rabbi Abba Shaul made sure again and again that no financial obligations remained until he was satisfied. Then he blessed and left.

The contractor concluded: "I've built and sold hundreds, if not thousands, of apartments, and never has a buyer pressed me to remember if there might be any remaining debt or additional charge."

Rabbi Hertzel Hoder shares special stories about Rabbi Ben Tzion Abba Shaul zt"l: