Concern for others and the fear of hurting another individual’s feelings were trademark qualities of the Rosh Yeshivah of Chevron, R’ Simcha Zissel Broide zt”l. He embodied the attributes of Yosef HaTzaddik who was a “king who ruled the regiment” of his limbs and emotions and made them do the will of Hashem. It wasn’t just the way he acted with respect to his peers, fellow Roshei Yeshivos and other honorable people in all walks of society. R’ Simcha Zissel remained exactly the same in relation to his talmidim in the yeshivah as well.
The following episode in connection with the above was related by an old-time student of Yeshivas Chevron. It took place decades ago, when the yeshivah’s main building was still located in the Geulah section of Jerusalem. On that fateful winter’s day, there was a heavy snowfall in Jerusalem, and the entire city was blanketed with a sparkling white carpet of snow. Snow is not a common occurrence in Jerusalem - nor in the entire country of Israel for that matter - and it quite often has the effect of “shutting down” the city. Buses do not operate on a routine schedule and many shopkeepers cannot get to their stores. The city literally slows down and takes on an almost festive holiday atmosphere, and nobody enjoys it more than the children. In fact, it is not unheard of for children from other cities that never experience the phenomenon of snow, to make their way to Jerusalem just to partake in a little winter wonderland.
The younger “Yeshivah Ketana” (High School) students of Chevron were no different in this respect. That afternoon, during their “Bein HaSedorim” (afternoon recess), a group of students were entertaining themselves outside, frolicking in the snow and throwing snowballs at each other on the roof of the yeshivah building. It all seemed like harmless fun, until an event occurred which transformed the incident into an extraordinary experience.
As the boys were entertaining themselves, another boy came onto the roof. Of course, immediately, he became the new target and one of the boys grabbed a huge chunk of snow, as much as his palms could pick up, made a large ball and propelled it in the direction of the newcomer. The boy saw it coming from a mile away and his instincts kicked in. As the flying menace approached and was about to strike, he ducked and watched the snowball sail over his head. He laughed giddily and was about to throw his own ball of snow, when he noticed the look of horror on the faces of his companions. The snowball had flown over their intended target and then, to their indescribable horror, it kept on going and landed with a sickening thud on the head of the Rosh Yeshivah, R’ Simcha Zissel, who was on his way to visit his aunt (Rebbetzin Tzilla, the widow of the previous Rosh Yeshivah, R’ Aharon Cohen zt”l), whose apartment was located on the roof of the yeshivah building. No one had seen the Rosh Yeshivah enter the roof area - had they seen him, they would have halted their activity immediately! Nevertheless, the intended flying missile missed the boy and struck the Rosh Yeshivah!
Needless to say, at that moment the boys felt like burying themselves in the snow out of acute embarrassment. They braced for the tongue-lashing that they sorely deserved and would undoubtedly receive. To their amazement, however, the Rosh Yeshivah did not halt in mid-step, did not wipe the snow off his shoulders and head, and most amazing of all, did not even turn his head to see who the “sharpshooter” was! He continued walking quietly as if nothing had happened.
No matter how refined and virtuous a person may be, no matter how strong-willed in controlling his emotions a person may be, no matter how many works of musar a person may have imbibed, he could still be permitted to surrender to the legitimate reflexive instinct to turn his head towards the source of his sudden injury. But not R’ Simcha Zissel! Turning his head to see who the prankster was would result in the prankster’s acute embarrassment. To hurt somebody else’s feelings was not something that the Rosh Yeshivah would permit himself, even under extreme circumstances, to fall prey to. R’ Simcha Zissel was an autocratic king and absolute ruler of his instincts and emotions.
Rabbi Dovid Hoffman is the author of the popular “Torah Tavlin” book series, filled with stories, wit and hundreds of divrei Torah, including the brand new “Torah Tavlin Yamim Noraim” in stores everywhere. You’ll love this popular series. Also look for his book, “Heroes of Spirit,” containing one hundred fascinating stories on the Holocaust. They are fantastic gifts, available in all Judaica bookstores and online at http://israelbookshoppublications.com. To receive Rabbi Hoffman’s weekly “Torah Tavlin” sheet on the parsha, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
