On the Hundredth Yahrtzeit of Reb Chaim Brisker- From Rebbe to Talmid: Intellect and Ayin Tova.
by Reuven Ungar
The Torah is passed on from rebbe to talmid, from generation to generation. Chachmei HaMesorah, ma’atikei ha-shemua are charged with this task. This summer will mark the 100th yahrtzeit of Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, Rebbe in Volozhin, Rav of Brisk. It is difficult to overstate the sea-change that Reb Chaim’s Brisker Derech caused in talmudic study. Across the globe, students of Torah are influenced by Reb Chaim while swimming in the sea of the Talmud. Concepts that Reb Chaim emphasized such as cheftza-gavra, two dinim, and analyzing the terminology and location of the Rambam’s rulings in the Yad Ha-Chazaka are employed to comprehend the meaning of the sugya.
Is intellectual profundity and depth the sole reason for the popularity of Reb Chaim’s approach? Some think differently.
Shvilei Nissan (chiddushei Torah, biographies and essays authored by the rav of Lakewood, Rav Nissan Waxman) includes a biographical sketch of the author’s rebbe, Rav Shlomo Polachek, the Maitsheter Ilui. Rav Waxman conveys the opinion of the Maitsheter that the personal characteristics and middot of a rebbe are the primary channels of the transmission of Torah to talmidim. Middot tovot are essential to the success of influencing talmidim. The warmth that Reb Chaim displayed towards his students and the care that he extended to the downtrodden in his home were what won over the hearts of his disciples, and enabled the dissemination of his penetrating Torah thoughts throughout the Torah world. Rav Waxman supports his rebbe’s view, quoting the gemara in Menachot (53b) that it is fitting for the objectively good Torah to be given via Moshe who is permeated with the trait of goodness. Middot tovot demonstrate the inherent goodness of the rebbe, qualifying him to transmit the Torah to future generations.
This concept is complemented by the statement of Chazal that Moshe Rabbeinu shared the depth of the Torah- pilpula of Torah– with the Jewish People as a result of his ayin tova, generosity of the spirit.
The intent of the following paragraphs is to highlight applications of this thesis based on the mosrei Torah- ma’atikei ha-shemua– of recent and current generations. The four mosrei Torah we will discuss are second and third generation talmidim of Reb Chaim. They all possessed this inherent goodness and recognized that Torah is above personal agendas. These rebbeim exercised generosity of the spirit- ayin tova– in teaching Torah to the Jewish People. On a personal level, their stories resonate with me; my rebbeim are their talmidim.
We will do this through four vignettes, beginning with two students of Rav Shimon Shkop, himself a disciple of Reb Chaim in Volozhin. We will continue with two members of Reb Chaim’s family, a son and grandson in-law of Rav Moshe Soloveitchik, son of Reb Chaim. (Rav Shimon Shkop innovated a unique path in learning, which addresses the “why” in the sugya. This was a marked departure from the Brisker approach, which focuses upon the “what.” Nevertheless, Rav Shimon, a Torah trailblazer like his rebbe, has to be seen as continuing the sacred mission of his teacher.)
Rav Dovid Lifshitz learned Torah from Rav Shimon in Sha’ar HaTorah in Grodno, continued his studies in the Mirrer Yeshiva and led his flock as rav of Suvalk. Reb Dovid settled in the United States, originally in Chicago, and later in Washington Heights. He served as President of Ezras Torah. Reb Dovid was a Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshivat Rabbeinu Yitzchak Elchanan- RIETS- where he taught Torah and guided generations of talmidim with his trademark wisdom & warmth. Majestic; there is no other way to describe Reb Dovid.
On a cold day in the early eighties during winter vacation Reb Dovid was in the hallway outside of the Beit Midrash in Furst Hall. He noticed a young student from MTA, Yeshiva University’s high school. The rav approached him and welcomed him, warmly inquiring of his name and what brought him to the yeshiva at that time. The MTA talmid responded that he was endeavoring to take advantage of the vacation to learn Torah. The regal Reb Dovid hugged the young fellow- 60 year age difference notwithstanding.
This story really happened- I’m that MTA talmid. Imagine- Reb Dovid who breathed the Shita Mekubetzet, a disciple of the Mirrer Mashgiach Rav Yerucham Levovitz warmly reaching out to a teenager who was “holding” in the New York Times, Sports Illustrated and The Jeffersons.
Rav Shmuel Rozovsky was raised in Grodno and spent many years learning from Rav Shimon in Sha’ar HaTorah. He briefly learned in the Mir. Together with his chaver, Rav Zalman Rothberg, he ascended to Eretz Yisrael and learned in the Lomza Yeshiva in Petach Tikva, enjoying a close relationship with the legendary mashgiach, Rav Yechezkel Levinstein.
Upon the passing of Rav Yerucham in Mir, Rav Levenstein answered the call of Rav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel to serve as mashgiach in the yeshiva. Rav Shmuel and Rav Zalman seriously considered a move to Yerushalayim to grow in learning in Yeshivat Chevron. They were the advanced students in Petach Tikva, now that Reb Chatzkel was no longer there. Perhaps it was time to move on. The leadership of the Lomza Yeshiva requested them to remain in the yeshiva as their mere presence inspired others and raised the level of learning. Rav Shmuel and Rav Zalman thought long and hard; they remained in Petach Tikva. Talk about “taking one for the team”.
Years later- and much Jewish blood later- Rav Shmuel and Rav Chatzkel would reunite. In the midst of the Shoah, Rav Yosef Kahaneman established the Ponovez Yeshiva in Bnai Brak. Rav Shmuel answered his call to serve as Rosh Yeshiva (eventually he would be joined by co-Roshei Yeshiva Rav Dovid Povarsky and Rav Elazar Menachem Shach). Following the passing of the mashgiach Rav Eliahu Dessler, Rav Chatzkel joined Rav Shmuel on the faculty of Ponovez, serving for 2 decades as mashgiach. Rav Shmuel- who was willing to sacrifice his own personal learning for the sake of the community- merited to teach Torah for nearly four decades in Ponovez and in the Grodno yeshiva in Ashdod.
Rav Yosef Dov HaLevi Soloveitchik merited to witness the prayer of his grandfather Reb Chaim on Yom Kippur. He studied Torah from his father, Rav Moshe Soloveitchik, and earned a PhD in philosophy in Berlin. After arriving in the United States, he served as rav of Boston. The Rov succeeded his father as Rosh Yeshiva in RIETS, teaching Torah for over 40 years.
On a hot summer night in 1982 a young man sat shiva for his father. Despite frail health, the Rov insisted on paying a shiva call, embarking on a lengthy drive. Upon entering the shiva home, the Rov approached the young man (nearly 50 years his junior) and told him “I was a friend of your grandfather, a friend of your father, and I would like to become your friend as well.” The young man rose from the shiva. His name is Rav Malkiel Kotler. Together with his cousin (Lakewood East) and brother in law and cousins (Lakewood West) he serves as Rosh Yeshiva of a Torah empire – BMG. From Volozhin to Slabodka, from Slutsk to Kletsk, from New Jersey- and ultimately to Jerusalem.
Neither seniority nor the fact that Rav Malkiel was from the “competition” (so to speak) deterred the Rov from reaching out, consoling and inspiring. Torah is Torah, friends are friends.
Rav Aharon Lichtenstein experienced a childhood that included sledding in Baltimore and basketball in Brooklyn. He was a talmid of Rav Yitzchak Hutner, Rav Aharon Soloveitchik and his father in law, the Rov. Rav Aharon earned a PhD in English literature in Harvard, taught Torah in RIETS and served as Rosh Kollel. He ascended to the Land of Israel, joining Rav Yehuda Amital as co-Rosh Yeshiva in Yeshivat Har Etzion, aka the Gush.
Several years ago on a beautiful summer morning in Har Nof, the grandson of a prominent congregational rav (of blessed memory) and – yibadel lechayim tovim ve’aruchim– a prominent educator- celebrated his bar mitzvah. Family members of the Rov participated in the simcha. After spirited dancing Rav Aharon sat down. He was approached by someone who had read the volume authored by Rav Chaim Sabato which records conversations with Rav Lichtenstein. Rav Aharon shared his views on the mussar controversy and other matters. He noticed the youngest son of the person standing nearby. Without a request, Rav Aharon extended his hand to the youth (nearly 70 years his junior) and blessed him to “learn well, learn hard, and enjoy every minute of it!”
Our son received that bracha. I’m not an alumnus of Gush. In fact I work for “the competition,” so to speak. No matter. Torah is Torah. It must be conveyed to future generations.
Mosrei HaTorah are tasked with conveying the Torah from generation to generation. As evidenced, generosity of the spirit is necessary for the successful transmission of the Torah. Presidents of yeshivot are partners of Roshei Yeshiva in this endeavor. While Roshei Yeshiva transmit the Torah, presidents nurture the material infrastructure of the yeshivot. Presidential success is achieved when the ayin tova described above is possessed and exercised.
During a fascinating address as a guest of the Bernard Revel Graduate School, Dr. Yehuda Mirsky shared the following story. In the infancy of the Touro College educational empire, Rav Dr. Bernard Lander would frequently consult his father, Rav Dr. David Mirsky, for advice. This was a wise move, as Professor Mirsky was a skilled adminisrator in addition to being a leading academic. As an employee of Yeshiva University, Professor Mirsky felt obligated to mention this to President of YU, Rav Dr. Samuel Belkin. Professor Mirsky wondered if he should continue to assist Rav Lander, who after all, was “the competition” (so to speak).
President Belkin- who was instrumental in bringing gedolei Yisrael to teach in RIETS- bore the financial brunt of maintaining and fostering the growth of the institution. In response to the inquiry of Professor Mirsky, President Belkin stated that of course he should help Rabbi Lander, stating: “Dovid, there is no such thing as too much Jewish education”.
Imagine- Volozhin in the Heights (RIETS) with Reb Dovid, the Rov and Rav Aharon teaching Torah and Rav Belkin as President. Volozhin in Bnei Brak (Ponovez) with Rav Shmuel teaching Torah with Rav Kahaneman as President. Carrying the torch of Rav Chaim’s Torah and ayin tova from generation to generation.
Let’s connect the dots. This past Elul, Rav Dr. Ari Berman was publicly installed as president of Yeshiva University. He is related to the talmid of Rav Shmuel Rozovsky, Rav Shlomo Berman, whose son in law Rav Eliezer Kahaneman- grandson of Rav Yosef Kahaneman- serves as president of Yeshivat Ponovez. Rav Berman insisted that shiurim should precede the investiture.
In the beit midrash that Rav Dovid Lifshitz from his corner seat poured out his soul in prayer to HaShem for decades, where he danced on Shavuot mornings after a full night of Torah study – a large crowd assembled. Mosrei HaTorah of our generation delivered elevated shiurim. Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel Rav Hershel Schachter, talmid of the Rov. Rosh Yeshiva and Rosh Kollel Rav Michael Rosensweig, talmid of Rav Aharon. Let’s avoid eulogizing the living; suffice it to say that our generation is fortunate. Hashem ensures that the Torah will not be forgotten.
Several days prior to the investiture Yeshiva University publicized several addresses to President Berman. Amongst them was a message from Dr. Tova Lichtenstein.
At the outset Dr. Lichtenstein analyzed and dissected the dynamics of the rebbe-talmid relationship (including when the talmid matures). Pure intellect.
Then this daughter of Volozhin/Brisk switched gears and personally addressed the talmid of her husband. President Berman had mentioned his concerns stemming from the fact that he can no longer consult with Rav Lichtenstein of blessed memory. Dr. Lichtenstein responded to this concern by conveying her confidence that the talmid will follow in his rebbe’s path. She urged him to visualize the image – demut diyukno – of Rav Aharon in front of him.
May we merit to follow in the path of our rebbeim, holding aloft the banner of Torah, while gazing at it and at everyone with an ayin tova .
Rabbi Reuven Ungar is the Director of Alumni Affairs of Yeshivat Sha’alvim
These words are written in loving memory of the Torah architect, Rav Maaleh Galinsky whose 5th Yahrtzeit is on 25 Nissan.
The Soloveitchik Heritage A Daughter’s Memoir by Shulamith Soloveitchik Meiselman discusses Rav Chaim Brisker. The Chapter 1918 discusses how his son Rav Moshe found out about ptirah. Only 100 years -so different in time. Book very worthwhile to understand a noted family.
Look at R’ Chaim’s grave stone-it says it all iirc it is simply engraved with the words “Rav Chesed”
KT
Joel Rich
For some of R Chaims complexity as as person read Shulamith Meiselmans book,not in the Art Scroll genre
very inspiring essay, though a bit biased omitting the larger legacy of Rav Chaim in the Charedi world
the story around which multiple urban legends exist is the Rav ztl’s visit, together rav teitz ztl, to rav malkiel, who rose from his chair, as is only permitted to an avel greeting a gadol be’israel. the three then discussed why aveilut for a child, is only 30 days and only a parent warrants a year of aveilut. i believe the terutzim are recorded in a shiur by rav Blau who drove his FIL and the Rav to Lakewood.
the more astounding story took place weeks earlier in Boston where Rav Schneur ztl went for specialized cancer treatment. as the Rav left his room, a visitor asked a young resident who that was? his response was that it is dr. Soloveichik who is consulting on his therapy.
Mycroft and Mr. Rich thanks so much for the references. Dr. Bill- you are correct- that is an astounding story from the hospital, I’m very grateful to you for sharing that inspiring story.
Yes- a comprehnsive history of Reb Chaim’s larger legacy on the Chareidi and non- Chareidi world- would be well received. The material concerning Rav Rozovsky ztl was taken from a large bioigraphy on him authored by a grandson which was published recently. That volume includes a beautiful photograph of Rav Lifshtiz ztl sitting next to Rav Rozovsky at the wedding of the latter’s only son.
I have seen in print (in that volume and elsewhere) and heard verbal accounts of meetings between Rav Soloveitchik ztl and Rav Rozovsky when the latter was in the US for medical treatments. The mutual admiration was profound.
“On a hot summer night in 1982 a young man sat shiva for his father. Despite frail health, the Rov insisted on paying a shiva call, embarking on a lengthy drive. Upon entering the shiva home, the Rov approached the young man (nearly 50 years his junior) and told him “I was a friend of your grandfather, a friend of your father, and I would like to become your friend as well”
however, the Ravs generosity to those who he had hashkafic differences was not reciprocated see eg from http://mschick.blogspot.com/2012/04/remembrances-and-reflections-viii-rav.html
“What is evident is that he had enormous respect for Rav Aharon. He came to the funeral at the Pike Street Synagogue, apparently with a hesped written out, but sadly and mistakenly, he was not given the opportunity to speak. When Rav Soloveitchik passed away, Lakewood was not represented at the funeral in Boston“
Many talented talmidim- first and second generation- of Rav Solveitchik ztl are speading his Torah orally, in print- and online. Perhaps the acceptance of the Torah of the Rov will lead to a gradual recognition and appreciation of the great gaon himself.
In Rav Sabato’s volume there is a remarkable observation of Rav Lichtenstein ztl concerning the zechut of Rav Reuven Grozovsky ztl. The RY of Torah Vodaas and Beth Medras Elyon displayed respect for the Rov in the midst of a Machloket LeShem Shamayim. Thus Rav Grozovsky merited that a descendant of his married a grandson of the Rov.
“Many talented talmidim- first and second generation- of Rav Solveitchik ztl are speading his Torah orally, in print- and online.”
Assuming arguendo the Torah is being reported accurately and completely.
” Perhaps the acceptance of the Torah of the Rov will lead to a gradual recognition and appreciation of the great gaon himself.”
I’ll believe it when people start accepting the legitimacy of his positions that he followed during his lifetime, not the Revisionism of those on left and right trying to make the Rav like they would have liked him to be.
“Thus Rav Grozovsky merited that a descendant of his married a grandson of the Rov.”
Who grandchildren marry does not reflect one way or the other on the Rav would you say Rav was a great admirer of chazzanus because his granddaughter married a descendant of Yosselle Rosenblatt?
Excellent aeticle a d recollections by all. Perhaps durung Sefirah we should e asking ourselves what is more important-the learning and dissemination of RYBSs Torah or seeking revenge for the terrible slights of the past and asking ourselves what do we think that RYBS would have preferred.
“RYBS would have preferred”
He would have preferred that his views be transmitted accurately,not distorted by those on the right or the left.
Dint tbink that RYBS would have been imtetested in revenge but rather thevaccurate dissemination of his Chiddushim Psakim and Hanhagos.
The OU in its day of learning at Citifield is having shiurim on thevlegacy of RYBS by RHS R M Willig R,Y Sacks and R Genack IIRC. And many other fine spealers on a wide variety of topics. Lookinf forward it.
I emphasized the importance of the learning and dissemination of the Torah of RYBS. That remains the key as opposed to seeking revenge for the terrible slights of the past.
Taking a stab of guarded optimisim- with the proliferation of the Torah of the Rov ztl in many spheres- oral, print and online- some will come to accept & properly respect the great gaon and not only his Torah.
Some not all. Each person can decide which path to follow. May we take the higher road.
“I was a friend of your grandfather, a friend of your father, and I would like to become your friend as well”
I wanted to reference Dr. Schick’s 2012 article since he witnessed this exchange, but Mycroft beat me to it. Dr. Schick wrote about the shivah visit in an earlier 2005 post, linked below, and also added the following about RYBS’S funeral, which he alluded to in the 2012 article as well(“although I suggested that the Yeshiva be represented”):
“When Rav Soloveitchik died, I called Rav Malkiel Kotler and asked that he go to the funeral in Boston as an expression of hakoras hatov. He responded that I was right that he should go and then told me why he could not do so.”
http://mschick.blogspot.com/2005/03/rav-aharon-kotler-and-rav-soloveitchik.html
“Rav Aharon Lichtenstein experienced a childhood that included sledding in Baltimore”
In fact, his partner was Rav Aharon Feldman. In the Spring, 2010 Jewish Action(“Hands Across the Ocean: A Review of Rabbi Aharon Feldman’s The Eye of the Storm”), R. Lichtenstein wrote to R. Feldman,” Must the walls that separate our communities and our institutions soar quite so high, the interposing moat plunge quite so deep? Shall we never sled again?”
R. Feldman wrote in response in the Summer, 2010 Jewish Action,( “Dear Reb Aharon”), ” I enthusiastically accept your invitation to go sledding, or at least meet together, once again. You deplore the fact that a wall separates us, which does not make this possible. I think you are being overly pessimistic.”
these stories illustrate the haredi attitude, that in the end , all others must lower the moat and join the One True Derech….
Except that the author is not haredi.
shalavim is an interesting place that defies characterization, a very good thing. i have a grandson attending and my great-niece , a migdal oz feminist, just married a young man from shalavim, a mixed marriage of sorts.
rabbi adlerstein is very accurate; a yeshiva whose RY wears a kippah serugah is not quite chareidi.
with all this urban legend on what the rav ztl said about rak ztl at the CA dinner, their relationship was not straightforward as reliable witnesses report. the Rav consulted with rak before permitting escapees from Cuba to travel on Shabbat; he also spoke rather aggressively when rak initially opposed his position relative to the use of a device to flip an animal for shechitah.
as to the dinner speech, (let’s) go to the video tape and the Yiddish notes for the speech in the book of the rav’s Yiddish derashot; they are consistent. anyone who knows anything about the Rav would be rather skeptical of the urban legend.
despite all the feel-good sledding vocabulary, one cannot discount the rather sharply worded critique of rabbi feldman’s rhetoric about feminism and zionism. personally, RAL ztl’s reference to zemanim sent me and i suspect all but the most literate searching for a definition for his remarkably precise words.
Lacosta you are invited to join us in our yishuv on Yom Ha’Atzmaut next week. Feel free to learn with me the One True Derech in the form of Reshimot Shiurim and Kedushat Aviv. I would gladly lend you Mrs. Hila Volberstein’s new volume HaRav HaNazir- but I have lent it out. So here is something to share from the book: Upon the arrival in Jerudalem of Rav Yitzchak Zev Soloveitchik ztl with his surviving children, the leadership of Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav as one went to comfort and welcome them. The delegation included Rav Zvi Yehuda Kook, Rav Yaakov Moshe Charlap, Rav Yitzchak Arieli, the Nazir and his son Rav Sha’er Yashuv- zecher tzaddikim levracha. Rav Charlop and the Griz both managed to say a few words- – then they cried. As the author wrote neither side changed their views- but the hearts connected. One can have convictions and still treat others with respect & dignity.
I really have no clue how the stories conveyed above indicate lowering the moat…that certainly wasn’t my intention.
“their relationship was not straightforward as reliable witnesses report.”
The Ravs relationship with Chareidi world was complex. A simple example recently I saw some 1952 Torah Umesorah stationary-the Rabbinic advisory board had RMF R Kotler,Rav Lessen,Rav Lifschitz, R Mendel Zacks even Rabbi Jung and Goldstein but no RYBS.
The Rav would at times tell students don’t pay attention to the attacks on them,the attackers don’t know as much as them and they are just jealous.
Had the JO published an article about the Rav 25 years before their obituary,it would have reflected reality,the Agudah and Rav were in different machenes. What was inappropriate is making the article as an obituary.Acharei mos kedoshim emor.
It was a complex relationship. Distortions of mesorah are devastating to us, we rely on mesorah for what we do. Distortions on any side are fatal for integrity of our Yahadus
Twenty years ago, Rabbi Shlomo Berman, the son-in-law of the Steipler and then a rosh yeshivah in the Ponevez Yeshivah, suggested to Julius Berman (then the president of the Orthodox Union) that if the Union wanted to do something significant for Orthodoxy, it should arrange a Yom Iyun with shiurim delivered by roshei yeshivah identified with different groups within Orthodoxy, such as Agudas Yisrael and Mizrachi, lead by Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky and Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik. When asked what would be the purpose of such a program, Rav Berman responded, “Tzu lernen der ‘olam az Torah iz umparteyish; es balangt nit nor tzu di Mizrachi uder di Agudah, nit nor tzu Chassidim uder Misnagdim; es balangt tzu Klal Yisrael.” (“To teach the community that Torah is non-partisan; it belongs not only to Mizrachi or to Agudah, not only to Chassidim or to Misnagdim; it belongs to Klal Yisrael.”
the sad reality is that there are pipe dreams of achdus that are just slogans that just can’t happen –yes there are always exceptions , but the public tenor must be different because a major component of frumkeit is havdala– this is treif , this is tameh. this is not unique to haredi sector [after all MO has to decide whether they will kasher OO , making the entity of MO meaningless] , but since it defines itself as the True successor to Derech Yisroel Sava, it has to manifest most strongly there. the idea of Aguda achas is a pipe dream–since large sectors such as MO ,Satmar , chabad etc can be somewhat defined as frum jews who either don’t want to be in that tent, or whose modus operandi is incompatible with it. Chabad advertises for Lag B’Omer ‘unity events’ — but essentially no non-chabad entities /institutions participate. Everyone needs to pretend that they are in favor of unity and that it has to happen , but the reality is that it is currently unrealistic [as it has been for at least the last 2000 yrs…]
Therecare wondeful Talmidei Chachamim.whose shiurim.and sefarim.are replete with references from the Torah of .Satmar to RYBS.. that is true achdus and pluralism in practice.
When discussing the benefits of interfaith dialogue at YU, R. Jonathan Sacks distinguished, based on the typology of RYBS in Lonely Man of Faith, between high-level, “face to face”, versus “side to side” joint interaction on social issues, the latter which he says works better (“YU and the World of Tomorrow: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Interviewed by Rabbi Ari Lamm, 38:00 in lecture). While obviously not the same, one doesn’t need “official”, high-level, public dialogue within Orthodox groups for achdus; interested parties within Orthodoxy already have joint speaking programs, unite on social issues “side to side” in R. Sacks’ terminology, or give financial aid throughout the spectrum(the last example of achdus I read in a Yated article).
Also, note this example on the blurring of lines from an article by R. Yehuda Turetsky and Prof. Chaim Waxman( “Sliding to the Left? Contemporary American Modern Orthodoxy”, Modern Judaism, 2011):
“Another respondent went even further to suggest that, in the U.S.,the lines between Haredi and Modern Orthodoxy have become blurred:
My younger brother davens [prays] in a shteibel [makeshift synagogue]in Flatbush where virtually everyone has a college degree,works, is very Zionist – but they wear black hats. (By the way most of their children are in Lakewood [The largest and most prestigious yeshiva in the American Haredi community]). What are they??”
For those interested, please see the annexed schedule.//www.ou.org/torahny/schedule/
Mycroft- it’s hard to fathom a Beit Midrash without the works of the Rambam and the Ramchal- yet they both faced strident oppositoin. Time can- and will – tell. Even nowadays there is recognition- I recall davening ma’ariv one night in Kiryat Sefer (which is not bursting with YU alumni) and noticing a volume of Reshimot Shiurim prominently displayed with other sefarim.
“Thus Rav Grozovsky merited that a descendant of his married a grandson of the Rov.”
Who grandchildren marry does not reflect one way or the other on the Rav…”= the observation of Rav Lichtenstein ztl was referring to Rav Grozovsky ztl. Despite his maintaining a different view than Rav Soloveitchik ztl nevertheless Rav Grozovsky demonstrated kavod to the Rov…and what happened years later happened…Adherence to Kavod HaTorah has good consequences.
Mr. Brizel- totally agree. Within the 4 amot of halacha and 13 ikarim of the Rambam there is space for different approaches in learning. Besides the inherent value of taking the high road of Kavod HaTorah even when in disagreement, being receptive to valid alternative approaches enriches one’s own Torah learning & understanding. Achdut does not translate into absolute uniformity.