Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach’s ahavas Yisrael was legendary. Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried, who used to drive him home from yeshiva once a week, was witness to many such incidents. Once, they passed Shaarei Tzedek Hospital on the way home. Rav Shlomo Zalman asked if they could stop so he could be mevaker choleh a rav who was a patient there. Of course Rabbi Fried agreed.
Rav Shlomo Zalman then asked to go to the back entrance to avoid being recognized, so it wouldn’t take long. Rabbi Fried didn’t know the area and they ended up at the front. By the time they reached the elevator, many people had gathered to ask shailos and request brachos. Eventually they reached the rav, who was delighted to see Rav Shlomo Zalman.
On their way out, Rabbi Fried offered to find the back exit. Rav Shlomo Zalman declined, saying it didn’t matter at this point. Rabbi Fried apologized for taking so much time by going in the wrong entrance. “For me it is a pleasure to see people I know,” Rav Shlomo Zalman said. “It is you I was upset for. Why should you waste so much time waiting for me?”
Another time, they passed a bachur looking to hitchhike. With a gadol b’Yisrael in the car, Rabb Fried had no intention of stopping the car to chauffeur anyone else. As they passed the bachur, the boy saw who was in the car and took a step back. Rav Shlomo Zalman asked, “Why didn’t you stop for him?” For the rest of the ride, he stared straight ahead, saying over and over, “Eich lo ozrim l’Yehudi shetzarich ezra? How can you not help a Jew who needs help?”
Courtesy of Agudas Yisroel of America
