It was a regular weekday morning, but the sight they saw was rather unusual. For the first time in his life, people saw Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, ZT”L, putting on the Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin. Curious, especially since he was no longer young, people began to approach him and ask why he was suddenly wearing Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin.
Rav Yaakov explained: “Some fifty years ago in Europe, someone asked me, ‘Why don’t you wear Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin?’ I told him why. However, he responded, ‘Okay, still - the Chofetz Chaim wears them.’ I said, ‘The Chofetz Chaim is ninety. When I turn ninety, I’ll also wear them.’”
Rav Yaakov continued, “Today is my ninetieth birthday, and I never forgot what I said. An oath came out of my mouth.”
Reprinted on the Parshas Behar-Bechukosai 5785 email of Torah Sweets.
