By Rabbi Shlomo Farhi
I became a posthumous student of Rav Shlomo Freifeld, zt’l, making him my rabbi 18 years after his passing. A great rabbi once gifted me a book titled Reb Shlomo, and when I asked why he chose that particular book, he said, “Every time you look at your bookshelf and see the name ‘Reb Shlomo,’ you’ll remember that one day, someone may write a book about you. Perhaps that thought will inspire you to act with greater wisdom.”
All Our Deeds Are Recorded in a Book in Heaven
His words resonated. Kol ma’asecha b’sefer nichtavim—All our deeds are recorded in a book in Heaven (Avos 2:1).
Rav Shlomo Freifeld was a towering figure, not just in his physical presence but in his achievements. He founded a yeshiva, a summer camp, a synagogue, and an entire community—each reflecting his boundless love for every Jew, regardless of their background or level of knowledge. He embraced those whom others overlooked, offering them a place of belonging.
His legacy shines through every story in that book, many of which I’ve marked with folded corners to preserve their lessons. Nearly every page is creased, a testament to the wisdom contained within.
A Hot Day in the Summer
One story in particular stands out. Rav Shlomo was in his summer camp, teaching two boys who didn’t fit in elsewhere. They were boys who had been expelled from other yeshivot and had come to him as a last resort. On a hot summer afternoon, he sat outside learning with them.
As they studied, a distinguished rabbi approached, possessing a long beard and a commanding presence. The boys, impressed, invited him to sit and speak with Rav Shlomo. This rabbi had studied alongside Rav Shlomo in their youth, and after catching up, he asked Rav Shlomo the following:
“Rabbi, I don’t understand. We learned in the same yeshiva, had the same teachers, and came from similar backgrounds. But look at you—you’ve built a yeshiva, a community, a camp. You’re known throughout the Jewish world. Meanwhile, I’m a simple teacher in a small school. How did this happen?”
The Pain Behind that Question
There was pain behind that question, and Rav Shlomo, in his humility, deflected. “Hashem decides,” he said simply, not attributing his success to himself. After the rabbi left, Rav Shlomo sat quietly, shaking his head. His students, sensing something was amiss, asked, “Rebbe, is everything okay?”
He replied, almost to himself: “Everyone wants a yeshiva. Everyone wants a synagogue. Everyone wants a community. But who wants to sit in the heat of the day and learn with two boys? What is a yeshiva if not for two boys? What is a synagogue if not for one family, one individual?”
Leadership is not about the grandeur of institutions, but about the care and attention given to each individual. The many are nothing more than a collection of individuals, and if we fail to tend to the one, we fail the whole. Yes, it’s challenging, and at times it feels like an impossible task. But true greatness lies in the willingness to embrace that challenge—one person at a time.
Reprinted from the Parashat Shemot 5785 email of the Torah Anytimes Newsletter as compiled and edited by Elan Perchik.
