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A student of Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer ZT”L recounted a remarkable incident that exemplified his teacher's extraordinary moral sensitivity: "I was accompanying my revered teacher, Rabbi Isser Zalman, on a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood when we encountered a residential courtyard filled with chickens. As we proceeded past the enclosure, our presence inadvertently startled several chickens, causing them to flee in panic into the thoroughfare beyond their designated boundaries.
Witnessing the commotion, Rabbi Isser Zalman became deeply troubled by the possibility that his presence had precipitated the birds' escape and that he may be responsible for inadvertently causing the chickens’ owner a loss. What transpired next demonstrated the profound character of this distinguished Rosh Yeshivah. Without hesitation, this elderly and venerated scholar pursued the wayward chickens, and used his walking stick to try and guide them back to the safety of their proper enclosure. He labored diligently for a considerable amount of time until every last bird had been successfully restored to its enclosure."
Another illuminating episode occurred during Rabbi Isser Zalman's tenure as the Chief Rabbi of Slutzk. While walking down the city streets, deeply engrossed in contemplation of scholarly matters, he encountered a construction site where workers were constructing a new building. Absorbed in thought, the rabbi inadvertently stepped into a container of wet plaster that was in his way.
Rather than becoming annoyed at the possibility that his footwear had been ruined, Rabbi Isser Zalman became profoundly distressed by an entirely different matter. He recognized that by stepping into the plaster, he had inadvertently appropriated a minute quantity of plaster that had stuck to his shoes that had belonged to the construction crew - a portion valued at perhaps no more than a penny. Demonstrating complete disregard for his prestigious position as the community's spiritual leader, Rabbi Isser Zalman refused to depart from the construction site until he had successfully located the project supervisor, compensated him for the minimal loss, and humbly requested his forgiveness for the unintentional transgression. This incident powerfully illustrated his unwavering commitment to ethical conduct, even in matters of negligible monetary value.
"You shall not favor persons in judgment; [rather] you shall hear the small [case where negligible monetary amounts are adjudicated] just as the great; you shall not fear any man, for the judgment is upon Hashem..." (Devarim 1:17)
Rashi quotes a Sifrei and explains, "’You shall not favor persons in judgment’ - this refers to the person who appoints a judge. The appointer of judges should not say, 'So-and-so is handsome or strong, I will appoint him as a judge' [or] 'So-and-so is my relative, I will appoint him as a judge in the city.' If he [the judge] is not an expert in the laws, he consequently condemns the innocent and acquits the guilty. [If one does so, Hashem says:] ‘I will hold it against the one who appointed him [the judge] as though he [himself] has shown partiality in judgment.’ Rashi teaches us that being honest starts with how we choose our judges and by extension, our leaders.
Rashi shows us that unfairness is not the judge's fault alone. It is linked to whoever puts the unfit judge in charge to begin with. Honesty is not just about telling the truth ourselves. We must also make sure the people we support and put in charge also tell the truth. When someone picks a judge because of looks, money, or social status instead of his skill, integrity and character, they are responsible for the insertion of lies into the judicial system.
When we choose leaders who are wise and honest, we create systems that reflect Hashem's divine justice. This helps guarantee that the principle of truth is maintained, not only by individuals but also collectively within our communities. Our support for our leaders should be based on their skill and character, not on other superficial considerations.
“May I back out of a school carpool that I have already committed to?”
“Should I report a co-worker who is acting dishonestly?”
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