“Studying Maharsha was a central and important part of the lesson. Sometimes, Rav Ben Tzion wouldn’t state his opinion on the sugya until we had studied the Maharsha.
“He taught us to probe the peshat and its many ramifications. During one lesson, he asked an explosive question. We sat there, our mouths agape. Suddenly, he stated two brilliant answers, and then a straightforward one. He remained silent for a few moments and then said, ‘Know that the third answer is the only true one. The two others have external luster. I told them to you only in order to teach you not to be dazzled by glitter, but only by the peshat. It must be absolutely true.’”
Although Rav Ben Tzion was well known for his brilliance and clarity of thought, he tried to remain unobtrusive and did not rush forward to issue halachic rulings. Until the passing of Rav Ezra Attia, he refused to issue halachic rulings even to his students or close acquaintances, out of respect for his mentor.
After Rav Attia’s passing, he would discuss his halachic opinions with his students, but only on a private basis. One day, Rav Yehuda Tzadka, the Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef, decided to put an end to all that, and began to refer people to Rav Ben Tzion, telling them that he was a great halachic authority whose rulings they should heed. He would say, “Rav Ben Tzion will refuse to issue a ruling. But don’t give in.”
Rav Ben Tzion, who was a bit stymied by all this, asked Rav Tzadka how he should relate to people who asked him halachic questions. Rav Tzakda urged him, “You are well-versed in Halocha. Why shouldn’t you issue rulings?”
It was in this way that Rav Ben Tzion’s ability to become a great halachic authority was brought to light.
S.O.S!
Rav Ben Tzion was careful not to waste a moment of precious Torah study time. One morning on his way to Yeshiva, he saw a student examining a billboard poster. Suddenly, Rav Ben Tzion cried out: “S.O.S.! S.O.S.!” and continued on his way. The student ran after him and breathlessly asked, “What happened? Who needs help?”
“The entire world,” Rav Ben Tzion replied. “If you don’t study Torah the world will be destroyed. If you were an ambulance driver or a paramedic, and were summoned to save a life, would you stop to read the latest announcements? As a ben Torah your job is far more vital, because the world is maintained only in the merit of Torah study.”
COMMUNAL INVOLVEMENT
Even though Rav Ben Tzion was humble and preferred spending his time within the four cubits of the Halocha, he did not hesitate to involve himself in communal affairs, especially in battles over religious matters.
He was one of the leaders in the battle over the preservation of the sanctity of Shabbos, and he bravely protested mixed swimming pools and post-mortem operations.
In 5732, he was at the forefront of the battle against mandatory army service for girls. Along with Rav Yehuda Tzadka, he drafted a halachic ruling declaring that mandatory army service for girls was in the category of “be killed and do not transgress”. The text of his ruling was sent to all of the Torah sages in the country, and was signed by four hundred Gedolei Yisrael.
Rav Ben Tzion was also a leader of Sefardi Jewry not just in Eretz Yisrael, but also in countries around the world. He traveled to Iran, England, Italy, France, South America, Mexico, Panama, Columbia and the United States, strengthening the Sefardi Jews of those countries. He founded rabbinical courts for them and provided them with Shochtim, Mohalim and Rabbonim, thwarting assimilation and the influence of heretical streams.
In 5743, while delivering a eulogy at the funeral of Rav Yaakov Mutzafi, he suddenly felt ill. A short while later he suffered a stroke. (He had suffered a heart attack previously.) Although he recovered, part of his body remained non-functional. But this situation did not prevent him from spreading Torah and from being involved in public affairs.
Above all, Rav Ben Tzion devoted his energies to the education of Jewish children, personally founding scores of Talmud Torahs throughout Eretz Yisrael. He regarded strengthening the education of the younger generation as his primary goal.
Rav Ben Tzion, together with Rav Yehuda Tzadka and Rav Ovadia Yosef, founded the Maayan HaChinuch HaTorani, a federation for hundreds of Sefardi Talmud Torahs throughout Eretz Yisrael. He considered this enterprise his life’s work, and in its early stages, subsidized it himself.
One time, he saw a school bus stopping beside a Talmud Torah. As the children gleefully poured out of the bus, he said to the person accompanying him, “Did you see how the doors of that bus opened? It reminds me of the opening of the Aron Kodesh, upon the removal of a Sefer Torah. I’m jealous of that driver. Those children are heading toward Har Sinai now, where they will receive the Torah.”
HOW CAN I STAY HOME?
After he had suffered his stroke and was confined to his home, the Hanhola of Lev L’Achim paid him a visit before their annual Asifa in Bnei Brak. They explained to the Rav that they realized that he would be unable to come and speak, since he could barely get around and speech was also very difficult for him. The Rabbonim suggested that he send his son in his stead to say a few words of greeting in his name.
He refused. Slowly, and with great difficulty, he said to them, “If the organization that does so much for hatzolas Yaldei Yisrael is holding an Asifa, I cannot stay home. I must be there.” And with extreme mesiras nefesh, he came. He was carried into a car, and from the car, entered the large hall in a wheelchair.
Rav Aron Leib Steinman had already left the dais of the gathering to return home when he was told that Rav Abba Shaul was on his way from Yerushalayim. He returned to the dais, saying, “How can I leave if Rav Ben Tzion is coming? I must stay and wait for him to be mechabed him.”
'LINKED TO KLAL YISROEL'
On the last night of Rav Ben Tzion’s life, one of the great Roshei Yeshiva of our times phoned and asked him a very important question. The following day, the Rosh Yeshiva called back for a reply. From the weeping of Rav Eliyohu, Rav Ben Tzion’s only son, the Rosh Yeshiva understood what had occurred.
The funeral of Rav Ben Tzion Abba Shaul, which took place on the 19th of Tammuz, 5758, was attended by masses of Jews from all circles and sects. A brief glance at the list of Rabbonim who delivered hespedim at the funeral and during the shiva week indicates that they represented the entire spectrum of Chareidi Jewry. At the funeral, everyone bemoaned the great loss to Klal Yisrael.
Rav Eliyohu, his son, was one of those who delivered a eulogy.
“My father,” said Rav Eliyohu, “did not belong to a particular circle. He was linked to Klal Yisrael. He drew everyone closer and loved all. He shared the suffering of the community, grieved over its pain, participated in its sorrow and rejoiced on its happy occasions. Everyone who encountered him felt a close kinship with him, and Klal Yisrael’s love for him was complete and genuine. Everyone loved him and Jews from all circles came to pay him final respects.”
On the last day of shiva, a miracle occurred. A car loaded with explosives was placed in the center of Yerushalayim. Suddenly, the car went up in flames. People rushed over to save the driver, not realizing that the car had been full of explosives – or that the driver had been a terrorist.
Had the bomb exploded in the town’s center as the terrorist had intended, an enormous disaster would have occurred.
We don’t know what happened to all those patients in the ambulances that sped past the Porat Yosef Yeshiva and received Rav Ben Tzion’s blessings. We also don’t know what went on in Heaven at the end of the shiva after his passing. But we can surmise.
{This article originally appeared in Yated Ne’eman - Matzav.com Newscenter}
