Rav Shlomo Zalman zt”l lived his whole life in the city of Yerushalayim. While he spent most of his years as rosh yeshivah of Yeshivas Kol Torah virtually unknown, towards the end of his life, Yidden from all over flocked to hear his wisdom. A brilliant posek with expertise in every area of halachah, Rav Shlomo Zalman’s every interaction was conducted with the utmost sensitivity.
Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried once had the zechus to spend shalosh seudos with Rav Shlomo Zalman. Rav Shlomo Zalman did not use the electricity on Shabbos, although he held it was mutar. As shalosh seudos went on, it became darker and darker, until the people in the room could not longer see each other.
Except for Rav Shlomo Zalman. His face continued to glow, even in the dark. Chochmas adam ta’ir panav—he had the visible glow of Torah on his face.
Over a quarter of a century since the passing of this gadol b’Yisroel, his light continues to illuminate us through his incredible sefarim, all those who quote him, and through all his talmidim.
May we merit to bask in some of that light.
Courtesy of Agudas Yisroel of America
