Rav Ben Tzion’s ability to freely give advice and blessings was a natural outgrowth of his great Ahavas Yisrael. That Ahavas Yisrael was coupled with an equally great sense of humility.
Rav Ben Tzion Mutzafi, Rosh Yeshiva of the Bnei Tzion Yeshiva and the son of the Mekubol Rav Suleiman Mutzafi, told the following stories to illustrate Rav Ben Tzion’s humility:
“In 5723, the Porat Yosef Yeshiva decided that all of its Rabbonim and teachers had to wear long rabbinical coats. Rav Ben Tzion was very upset by this decision.
“‘You’ll get used to it. Everyone will wear them,’ his colleagues consoled him.
“‘That’s not the point,’ he replied. ‘How can I wear a rabbinical coat when I am not a Talmid Chochom?’
“His humility,” Rav Mutzafi continued, “was even more apparent one Purim when, with every sip of wine, secrets seep out. What was the secret he revealed as he fulfilled the mitzva of the day? In front of his guests, he said, ‘Pray for me, my friends. Pray that I merit knowing at least one Halocha perfectly.’
“The same unassuming, self-effacing manner was evident one evening when someone accidentally locked the doors to the Yeshiva’s kitchen,” Rav Mutzafi added. “A hundred and twenty students were destined to go hungry that night, and the bitul Torah would have been great.
“‘What do you suggest we do?’ I asked him.
“Taking some money out of his pocket, Rav Ben Tzion said, ‘Send a student to the bakery for pitas, and another one to buy falafel balls and some tomatoes.’ A short while later, Rav Ben Tzion could be seen in one of the rooms, rapidly cutting the pitas and filling them with falafel balls and tomato slices. How stunned the students were when he personally served each a portion, along with wishes to ‘enjoy it’. With breakneck speed, he finished his work and returned to his studies. That evening, the students studied with added enthusiasm.
“When he recovered from a serious stroke,” Rav Mutzafi concluded, “he nonetheless came to the weddings of his students. At one wedding, his arrival aroused much excitement. Forming circles, the students began to sing Yomim al yemai melech tosif – ‘Add days to the lifespan of the king.’
“Rav Ben Tzion felt uncomfortable being honored in that manner. Pointing to the groom, he said, ‘Chosson domeh l’melech – A groom is like a king. They are singing in his honor.’”
