10 Inspiring Insights from Rabbi Shteinman

1. Facing Challenges? You’ll Be Rewarded More - Rabbi Shteinman once told one of his students: "People often ask for blessings for an easy life, with easy livelihood and parenting. But I tell them," the rabbi continued, "if it's not easy, you'll be rewarded more."

2. "Who Can Resist Temptations Today?!" Wonders Rabbi Shteinman - His understanding approach to today's challenges is illustrated by this story: When parents ask Rabbi Shteinman whether to proceed with a shidduch with a girl whose brother has strayed, he responds, "In the past, Jews lived in protected towns without today's temptations. If a child strayed, perhaps the parents were at fault. But today, even a well-raised child can be exposed to harmful influences. Can anyone withstand that?" he asks. "Are you sure you could handle such a test?"

Rabbi Shteinman adds: "I knew someone who treated their children harshly—that's blameworthy. But today, if a good home is still exposed to temptations, we can't blame the parents. You can proceed with the shidduch."

3. The Benefit of Longevity: More Mitzvot - "On one hand, there's merit in living a long life to do more mitzvot," Rabbi Shteinman says. "But then, you must account for every second. I always wonder—what's better, a long life with more to account for, or a shorter life with less accountability?"

4. Enduring Pain Without Transgressing Shabbat - Lamenting his old age, Rabbi Shteinman suffers from finger pain. To mitigate it, he moves his fingers. But on Shabbat, he endures the pain, fearing it might be considered forbidden exercise.

5. What Moves Rabbi Shteinman? The Laws of the Priests - His grandson shares: "There's a 'Tosafot' in Bava Batra that deeply moves the rabbi. It deals with bringing offerings joyfully, imagining the Priests in the Temple. He’s always moved to tears thinking about it."

6. "We Did Our Part; the Rest Is Up to Hashem and Yeshiva Students" - Before the draft law passed, Rabbi Shteinman dedicated himself to intense study and advising 'Yahadut HaTorah' representatives on strategy. His grandson recounts, "He woke in the middle of the night with a new idea for a Knesset member."

When the law passed, Rabbi Shteinman said, "We did our best. Now it's up to Hashem and the yeshiva students to strengthen their study."

7. One Does Not Know What's Truly Best for Them - Rabbi Shteinman told his grandson, "People come for blessings for a home. How do they know that's best for them? I bless them for what's truly needed."

8. No Greatness in Being "Leader of the Generation" - A man once asked to become a 'leader of the generation.' The rabbi replied, "There's no merit in being a leader if the generation is not learned. Seek to be a scholar instead."

9. Why Pray for Sweetness in Torah? Isn't It Intrinsically Sweet? - Asked for a blessing for sweetness in Torah, Rabbi Shteinman responded, "Do you need a blessing for sugar to be sweet?" He explained, "Pray for understanding; if you don't feel the Torah's sweetness, something’s wrong."

10. Strengthen Faith and Trust in Hashem – When asked by Rabbi David Abuchatzeira about our generation's special mitzvah, Rabbi Shteinman's answer was: "Strengthen faith and trust in Hashem, not in flesh and blood."