Rav Yehoshua Leib Diskin ZT”L (1818–1898) was a leading Rav of the Torah community in Eretz Yisrael. Prior to moving to Eretz Yisrael in 1878, he served as the Rav in Łomża, Mezritch, Kovno, Shklov, Brisk, and finally, Yerushalayim. When he was a Rav in Brisk, his enemies falsely accused him of engaging in illegal activities against the Tsar of Russia. The case went to trial and a non-observant Jewish lawyer was appointed to represent Rav Diskin.
At the trial, Rav Diskin explained to the court that the allegations against him were false and fabricated to discredit him because of his efforts to uphold the strict standards of Jewish law. After Rav Diskin pleaded his case, the court proceeded to hear the evidence against him. During the course of the trial, it became apparent that Rav Diskin would not look at his own lawyer who represented him. Taking notice of the odd behavior, the judge inquired about Rav Diskin’s behavior and was told that Rav Diskin disapproved of the lawyer’s rejection of the traditions of Judaism and therefore did not want to look at him.
The judge was duly impressed. The lawyer was there to protect Rav Diskin when his very future and freedom hung in the balance. And yet, because of the integrity of his convictions to Judaism, he would not look at the very person who was appointed to protect him. Ultimately, the judge said that there is no way that a person with Rav Diskin’s integrity and strength of conviction, even at the risk of his own freedom, could be lying. He dismissed the charges against him and Rav Diskin was exonerated.
