By Rabbi Dovid Hoffman
Rav Ya’akov Kamenetsky and Rav Menachem Shach
In the early 1980’s, the venerable Rosh Yeshivah of Torah Vodaas, R’ Ya’akov Kamenetzky zt”l, suffered an angina attack, and his doctor strongly recommended that he undergo an angiogram, a difficult and sometimes dangerous procedure for a man of that age. The Kamenetzky family was understandably concerned about the procedure and took extra measures to ensure the Rosh Yeshivah’s safety.
Among other things, family members went around asking and receiving berachot from various gedolim on behalf of R’ Ya’akov. A grandson of R’ Ya’akov was learning in Bnei Brak in the Ponevezher Yeshivah at the time and decided to approach the venerable Rosh Yeshivah, R’ Eliezer Menachem Mann Shach zt”l, with a request to pray for R’ Ya’akov’s welfare.
The Grandson Tries to Find Out His Grandfather’s Mother’s Name
When one prays for a sick person, he mentions the person’s name and his or her mother’s name in the blessing. The grandson did not know R’ Ya’akov’s mother’s name, since he could not recall a single time when there had been a need to mention his grandfather’s name in the blessing for the sick. As he was unable to call his family back in America to get the necessary information, the young man embarked on a search expedition throughout the city of Bnei Brak, to get the name. After much time and effort, he finally located a relative who thought he knew the name. Relieved that he had obtained this hard-to-find information, he prepared himself to go to R’ Shach.
Armed with the names and the most recent update on his grandfather’s condition, he approached the home of R’ Shach with trepidation. R’ Shach warmly welcomed him in and set his mind at ease. The elderly Sage knew the bachur and his lineage, and after inviting him into the sparsely furnished dining room and offering him a seat, he asked how his grandfather, R’ Ya’akov, was feeling.
The bachur turned white. “That is exactly why I came,” he stammered. “My grandfather is not feeling well and must undergo a procedure. I came to inform the Rosh Yeshivah...”
A Special Prayer for Reb Ya’akov ben Etka
Immediately, R’ Shach jumped up from his chair and exclaimed, “Quick, we must say a special prayer for Reb Ya’akov ben Etka!”
The grandson stood open-mouthed and in shock. R’ Shach knew the name of his great-grandmother! The very information which he had labored to uncover – and the Rosh Yeshivah already knew it! He was unable to contain himself.
“Rebbe,” he began meekly, “for the last twelve hours I have been trying to find out my great-grandmother’s name in order to present it to the Rosh Yeshivah. Now I see that the Rosh Yeshivah already knows the name. How is this possible?”
R’ Shach explained. “Years ago, your grandfather visited Eress Yisrael. I was privileged to get to know him then, and he left such an incredible impression on me. Right then and there, I asked him for his mother’s name. I could not imagine a Jewish world without a healthy R’ Ya’akov, and there is not a single day that goes by that I do not say a special prayer for his welfare!”