During a visit by the Gaon Rabbi Malchiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Lakewood, to the residence of the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, the Ra'avad expanded on memories from earlier years, when he met with the Gaon Rabbi Aharon Kotler zt"l in London • And what did he answer the Rosh Yeshiva who asked him to join Lakewood in those years? • Special documentation
The Rosh Yeshiva of Lakewood, the Gaon Rabbi Malchiel Kotler, held a retreat at the residence of the Gaon Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch.
When the Rosh Yeshiva entered the room, they received the Gram Sternbuch with great affection and respect. During the meeting, the Rosh Yeshiva asked to be blessed, but the Rav asked with a smile: "He gives blessings and he still wants blessings? Blessing upon blessing does not add... Your job is not to receive blessings but to give blessings.".
Rabbi Kotler replied, "I need the Rabbi's blessings. I hope I receive them, but I certainly don't give blessings.".
For this, Rabbi Sternbuch warmly congratulated him and said: "May God help you and we will see miracles and wonders with God's help. Thank God for it is good, for His grace is eternal. All goodness, blessings, success, and divine help, may you only see good in life. You have great privileges to lead such a yeshiva and stand at its head, and God, who is faithful and promised to help the world of Torah, will help, and through you there will be many more salvations for the people of Israel.".
The Night in London and the Rare Letter
During the conversation, Rabbi Sternbuch recalled memories from ancient times, when he studied Torah in London, and spoke about the historic visit of the elder of the yeshiva, the Gaon Rabbi Aharon Kotler, zt"l, as part of his travels for the preservation of the Torah.
He recalled how he met Rabbi Aharon zt"l in London: "He had to leave the city, but missed the trip - so he stayed and slept at our house.".
He added with longing that the Gra, zt"l, even lived in the same room with him in the house of his father, the Gaon Rabbi Asher Sternbuch, zt"l.
A fascinating fact was mentioned on a website, when the head of the Lakewood yeshiva said: "He tried to drag the rabbi to Lakewood...""
The Gram Sternbuch smiled and confirmed that the Gra zt"l asked him to accompany him to the United States and establish his Talmud under his roof, so that he could be his disciple and participate with him in the study of Torah - and even expressed himself towards him with an affectionate smile: "Lakewood and the Land of Israel - it is one...".
But Rabbi Sternbuch refrained from this, because his soul longed to go to the Holy Land and study Torah there.
At the end of the visit, the Rabbi Kotler greeted: "May the rabbi be healthy and strong and be blessed with a long life.".
The Grand Master bid him farewell with greetings to the majority, while extolling his great undertaking: "May you have blessings, success, and divine help. You have very great rights to hold such a large yeshiva and to head it.".
