Rav Yeruchem Silber, who learned in Rav Yisroel Zev Gustman’s Yeshivah in Eretz Yisroel for six years, shared a story that he heard from Rav Gustman himself. A few years before Rav Gustman opened his Yeshivah, he went to see the Tchebiner Rav, zt”l, to ask him for guidance about opening the Yeshivah, and he said that he wanted to open it in the Geulah neighborhood.
The Tchebiner Rav indeed advised Rav Gustman to open a Yeshivah, but surprisingly, he told him not to open it in Geulah. He said, “Geulah doesn’t need another Yeshivah, but Rechavia does. Go build a Yeshivah there, and bring Torah to that neighborhood.”
The cost to purchasing a building in Rechavia was significantly higher than in Geulah. Buildings were almost four times higher there. The Tchebiner Rav gave him a Brachah that he will be successful in this endeavor.
Rav Gustman told Rabbi Silber, “What did I do? I went to the Kosel and spoke to the Ribono Shel Olam. I said, ‘Ribono Shel Olam, the Gadol HaDor, the Tchebiner Rav, advised me to buy a building in Rechavia and open a Yeshivah there. The Rambam writes at the beginning of his work that everything is from You, and the words of the Gedolim are really Your words. Hashem, I have a dilemma. I can buy a building for the Yeshivah in Geulah for $40,000, or I can buy in Rechavia where it costs $150,000. The Tchebiner Rav told me to purchase the one in Rechavia, so that means that You say so as well, correct?’” Rav Gustman waited a moment before continuing.
“All right, Hashem, Your silence means that You agree! However, I have no idea where the money for this will come from. But the truth is, Ribono Shel Olam, the money is all Yours, and since You agree with the Tchebiner Rav that I should open a Yeshivah, I suppose that means that You will help me find the means to purchase it. Wherever I open a Yeshivah, it would only be because it is You Who would be giving me the means to do so. So please, Hashem, I ask You to please help me follow the direction of the Tchebiner Rav!”
With that, Rav Gustman walked away, completely content with his request from Hashem, and within days, he had the money he needed for the building of his new Yeshivah, Netzach Yisroel, in Rechavia!
Reprinted from the Parshas Pekudia 5784 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg’s Torah U’Tefilah.
