By Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn
Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinsky and Rabbi Pinchas Hirschprung
Rabbi Pinchas Hirschprung, a prominent student in the Lubliner Yeshivah was asked to travel to America to solicit funds for the yeshivah. He thought it would be helpful to get a letter of recommendation from Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodinsky, a leading Torah scholar of the generation. He traveled to the town of R’ Grodinsky, and explained to him the nature of his visit. R’ Grodinsky readily agreed to write the letter on behalf of the yeshivah.
After R’ Grodinsky completed the letter, the two began to discuss Torah topics. A number of people gathered around to listen as dozens of Talmudic passages were cited and countless commentaries were quoted verbatim - from memory! The people listened with astonishment as the great sage verbally fenced with the young student.
Then R’ Grodinsky quoted a passage from Masechet Yoma. He cited it as being on page 49. The young student suggested that it was actually on page 48.
“No,” insisted R’ Grodinsky, “if I remember correctly, it’s on page 49.”
The young man, who was already known as an accomplished talmid hacham with a phenomenal memory, was positive it was on page 48. He asked R’ Grodinsky, “Perhaps we can check it out. Is there a gemara readily available?”
“It’s not necessary,” said R’ Grodinsky as he touched the student’s arm gently, so as not to let him get the gemara. “I see your mind is young and sharp, and I am already an old man. You’re probably right. Why look it up? I might be embarrassed.”
The young student felt bad for R’ Grodinsky. The conversation continued, and eventually the student left.
Shortly after he left, the young man went to check the gemara to see who was right. When he found the passage, he was startled. He was wrong, and R’ Grodinsky was right! The passage was indeed on page 49.
R’ Hirschprung says it was then that he understood why R’ Grodinsky didn’t want him to check it out in front of those assembled in the room. For it was he, the student, who would have been embarrassed, and R’ Grodinsky, in his kindness, wanted to save him from that humiliation. So instead of checking the source, R’ Grodinsky made a disparaging comment about his own (non-existent) failing.
Reprinted from the Parshat Balak 5785 email of Rabbi David Bibi’s Shabbat Shalom from Cyberspace. Excerpted from the ArtScroll book – “Around the Maggid’s Table by Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn.)
