There was a boy who went to study in the Yeshiva Ner Yisrael, Baltimore. The boy developed a very close relationship with the Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman. He even had a private session that he learned with the Rosh Yeshiva.
The boy wanted to get married but the right girl never came his way. Finally after a good few years he became engaged being one of the last boys of his class in Yeshiva to become engaged. After telling his Rebbi the exciting news he told his Rebbi that it was obvious that the Rosh Yeshiva, his close Rebbi, would officiate at his wedding.
The Rosh Yeshiva asked the boy to give him the date of his Chassuna. When the Rosh Yeshiva checked his calendar he saw that he had to travel that day with his Rebbitzen to Chicago. He told his beloved student that sadly he will not be able to attend his wedding but in heart he will be there. As imagined, the boy was devastated.
When he came home to New York he told his father that sadly, his Rosh Yeshiva wouldn’t be able to attend. His father decided to go up a flight of stairs and visit his revered neighbor, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. The man told Reb Moshe that although his son studied at Ner Yisrael, since the Rosh Yeshiva would not be able to attend, he would like to invite Rav Moshe to officiate at his son’s wedding.
The boy went back to Ner Yisrael to study until shortly before his Chassuna. Before he left he went into his Rosh Yeshiva to bid farwell and receive his blessings. The Rosh Yeshiva gave him his warm Berachos. He then asked him what day was his Chassuna? The boy reminded his Rebbi the date and that the Rosh Yeshiva had explained that he couldn’t attend.
The Rosh Yeshiva excitedly told his student that the trip to Chicago had been cancelled and he looks forward to attend the Chassuna. The boy traveled home and shared with his father the exciting update. But his father wasn’t so excited. He told his son that he had in the meantime invited Rav Moshe.
A big argument broke out, the boy blaming his father for inviting Reb Moshe on his own accord. The father and son didn’t know what to do. Finally the father said they should both go upstairs together and speak to Reb Moshe.
They knocked on the door. Rav Moshe opened up, gave one look at father and son, and said, “it’s fine I’m coming as a guest. Please honor Rav Ruderman.” Both father and son were taken aback how Rav Moshe had worked it out and also relieved.
The wedding day arrived. Rav Ruderman is sitting at the head table next to the Chassan getting ready for the Chupa and suddenly Rav Moshe walks in. Without thinking twice Rav Ruderman turns to the Chassan and his father and says, “Rav Moshe is the Gadol Hador. He will officiate.”
But Rav Moshe wouldn’t hear of it. He was adamant that Rav Ruderman officiates. But Rav Ruderman was just as adamant that the Gadol Hador officiates. The hall was electric. Everyone standing in awe watching these two humble Torah giants arguing that the other officiates.
Finally Rav Ruderman called out to Rav Moshe, “Rav Moshe is older and therefore he will officiate.” Rav Moshe replied, “if I am older then the Rosh Yeshiva has to listen to me and the Rosh Yeshiva will officiate.” And Rav Ruderman officiated the Chuppah at the command of Rav Moshe.
