When I came to visit him in his Yeshiva in France, he was M'karev me with tremendous warmth and love. He didn’t stop praising me for my coming across the ocean to seek Mussar. I felt like his mind was on me 24/7, and he made sure to make me feel as comfortable as possible, both in Ruchaniyus and Gashmiyus.
In the most Eidel way, he asked me why I wasn’t involved in Zikkui HaRabbim. He kept expounding upon its importance, especially in our times. Indeed, he gave me a job right there, to teach thirty Israeli boys from his Yeshiva. He told me how so many Gedolim held of Zikkui HaRabbim, and it wasn’t exclusively a Novardok Shita. His warmth and praises were constant; he would complement me in front of his Yeshiva when he gave a Shmuess.
He understood human nature very well, and giving Kavod was a #1 objective. Although I came there to be M'chazek myself, he would publicly announce that I came to be M'chazek him and his Yeshiva. Everything he did was with tremendous warmth, with soft Eidelkeit. Tikkun HaMiddos was his lifetime accomplishment, and he was a true professional Ma’avir Al Mi’dosav. However, he could be quite tough.
I once told him a Pshat in Avraham Avinu, which he held wasn’t befitting of Avraham. His warm demeanor suddenly changed, and he stuck up for the Kavod of Avraham Avinu as if he knew him personally! He didn’t just learn Chumash like everyone else; he was actually connected to Avraham Avinu. This was his lifetime goal, to emulate Avraham Avinu!
And the Akeida was a very real Madrega in his life; he talked about giving away everything for Hashem, and he meant it. His Mesirus Nefesh, especially in the war years, was legendary. People stood in line for his last piece of bread which he gave away to the Rabim. He would daven loudly, and learn Mussar fearlessly. He would refuse to work for them, and even after being beaten mercilessly, he continued being rebellious to them. He even built a Yeshiva in the ghetto during Nazi occupation. He gave credit to Limud HaMussar (especially Mussar in the Derech of Novardok) for everything he became. Anything you can do to benefit the Neshama of this Tzaddik Yesod Olam will be a tremendous Zechus for you. He was total selflessness; and he enjoyed being this way! His laughter, Simcha, and good humor were constant. He was also connected to the holy Tanna, R' Chiya. He said that he considers himself a Talmid of R' Chiya, and he was involved in Zikkui HaRabbim on a very high level like R' Chiya.
He would do the most menial and degrading tasks for Zikkui HaRabbim, just like R' Chiya. They say that as soon as the Nazi Holocaust was over, on the spot in Bergen-Belsen Camp, he started a Yeshiva while still in his prison clothes. He would travel by donkey to far-off villages in North Africa, to recruit Bachurim and save their Yiddishkeit.
R’ Gershon Zatzal used to give plenty of Tochacha to his Talmidim, although I can’t imagine him having any Shaychus with true Ka'as, not in a million years! His core was soft as butter, always, no matter what. They say that without having a firm hand, his Yeshiva wouldn’t have gotten anywhere.
