Rabbi in Brisk
Author: Chiddushei Hagrach
21 Av 5678 (1918)
Besides being a genius and great scholar Reb Chaim was known for his Chessed. The Jewish “Bund” had played a large role in the 1905 laborers’ revolt against the Czar’s government. The Czar suppressed the revolt and had all the offenders shot. Furthermore he issued a decree, that if a “proclamation” should be found in anyone’s possession, that person should be shot on the spot.
Once, Erev Yom Kippur, two Jewish Bundists were caught, carrying “proclamations” in their possessions. They were arrested and placed in jail. Their trial, and a certain death penalty was scheduled for the next day. When Reb Chaim learned of this, he immediately contacted some wealthy men who had connections with the army, instructing them to arrange for food to be given to the prisoners; in addition, they should use all their contacts, and make every effort to save these youths.
The men did as Reb Chaim requested, and notified him that there was a possibility of freeing the men with 10,000 rubles. Where does one get 10,000 rubles, a huge sum of money, especially in those poverty-stricken times? Time was running out, and the lives of these unfortunate youths were hanging in the balance. Reb Chaim dispatched messengers to all the Shuls to convene a meeting of the gabboim. At the meeting, Reb Chaim established a fixed amount for each Shul to raise by that very same evening, and also decreed that Kol Nidrei not be said until he would give the word.
That evening, the money was brought to Reb Chaim’s house. When they had collected the entire amount, Reb Chaim sent the shammos to notify the various Shuls that Kol Nidrei could be said, and the boys were freed.
Word went out that a well-known Jewish professional lecturer on Torah subjects was seen frequently in the company of Jewish men who had thrown off the yoke of Torah and mitzvos. In short, the speaker did not practice what he preached.
One day, this speaker arrived in the city of Brisk, where Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik was the Rabbi and Rosh Yeshiva. Upon confirmation of the man's doubtful behavior, the Rabbi forbade him to speak in any synagogue in the city.
Immediately, the speaker came to the Rabbi and said, "Please, let the Rav come hear me speak. That will prove that I am 100 percent kosher. From beginning to end, my entire speech is filled with wisdom from works of Torah ethics and values that have been accepted among our people for generations. Why, then, does the Rav forbid me to speak in the Shuls of Brisk?"
"Even if your words are true and correct," Rabbi Chaim answered, "I will not change my mind and let you speak in this city. You are no doubt aware that even if meat is slaughtered by an experienced authorized Jewish Shochet and koshered in accordance with every requirement of Jewish law, if it is then cooked in a non-Kosher pot, the meat becomes completely un-kosher. Similarly, concepts that emerge from the mouth of a man lacking fear of Heaven will inevitably have a negative influence on those who hear them."
