During a visit to Yerushalayim for the wedding of a grandson of the Gerrer Rebbe, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, rov of the Ramat Elchanan neighborhood and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah, paid a memorable call to the home of his brother-in-law, Rav Binyomin Dovid Elyashiv, rosh of the Tiferes Bachurim kollelim network, at his residence on Chana Street. The meeting quickly turned into a spirited exchange of Torah, memories, and captivating stories about Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l.
As Rav Zilberstein entered the study, he jokingly pointed to the well-worn shelves. “Who tore all the Gemaras?” he asked with a smile. Rav Binyomin Dovid responded that no one had done so—“they were worn through ameilus baTorah, from years of intense learning.”
He then recounted a visit of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, the Yeshuos Moshe zt”l, to the home of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv. As they debated a point from the Minchas Chinuch, a new edition of the sefer was brought to the table. Rav Elyashiv refused to look at it, insisting, “I want to see it in the old Minchas Chinuch, because in the old one it’s written the way it should be.”
The rabbanim exchanged warm greetings, speaking of the longing for the Geulah and the open miracles seen “every minute.” They soon immersed themselves in deep Torah discussion on Parshas Vayeitzei, with Rav Zilberstein remarking, “I am privileged to hear such beautiful insights.”
The conversation turned to the Tiferes Bachurim kollelim. Rav Elyashiv described the network’s growth: “Today Tiferes Bachurim has many branches across Eretz HaKodesh—there’s even one in Tzfas.” Rav Zilberstein asked about the main beis medrash in Meah Shearim, and Rav Elyashiv explained that the central location hosts multiple kollelim throughout the day, from early morning until close to midnight, including programs in halacha, iyun, Zeraim, and Taharos.
Rav Zilberstein then recalled an incident from the beis medrash. He had gone down to the Yeshua’s Yaakov shtiebelach for Mincha, where the chazzan davened with such speed that he accidentally skipped Kedusha. Confusion broke out. The question was brought to Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, who ruled, “Close your siddurim and go home.” When asked whether the tzibbur needed to repeat the tefillah or hear chazaras hashatz, Rav Elyashiv answered that they did not, adding the startling statement: “One who davens such a tefillah is exempt from tefillah.” Rav Zilberstein emphasized the clarity and force of Rav Elyashiv’s psak: “Everything he said was a jewel.”
During the visit, Rav Zilberstein greeted Rebbetzin Elyashiv, who had recently returned home after surgery. She thanked Hashem for His kindness and noted that a granddaughter’s wedding was approaching. She also offered mazal tov to Rav Zilberstein on his own recent simchos. Rav Zilberstein responded warmly, “We are all children of one father,” and blessed the kallah when she was brought in for a brachah.
He shared a remarkable episode illustrating Rav Elyashiv’s fierce protection of the Rebbetzin’s honor. A doctor who had treated one of the children made an insensitive remark to her as he left the house. Rav Elyashiv overheard it, turned to the doctor, and said firmly, “You will not enter my home again. You have offended the Rebbetzin.” Realizing the gravity of his mistake, the doctor removed his shoes, sat on the floor, and accepted a form of self-imposed niddui. Seeing his sincere remorse, Rav Elyashiv immediately forgave him. After the doctor left, Rav Elyashiv instructed his son-in-law: “Go buy the most beautiful esrog in Bnei Brak and bring it to the doctor as a gift of reconciliation.” When the seller heard why it was being purchased, he insisted on giving the esrog for free. Rav Zilberstein explained that Rav Elyashiv would not accept gifts for himself without payment, “but this was for the doctor.” In the end, the doctor received both a magnificent esrog and permission to continue entering the Elyashiv home—along with a lifelong lesson in respectful speech.
Later in the visit, a participant asked Rav Zilberstein for a blessing that his daughter find a shidduch. Upon hearing that she was 23, the Rav smiled and replied, “In Ramat Elchanan, at that age they’re still jumping rope. No need for panic.” He then gave a heartfelt brachah.
Rav Zilberstein went on to recount the well-known story of Rebbetzin Chaya Musha a”h, mother of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, who remained childless for many years. After a renowned physician in Vienna told her she would not have more children, she wept bitterly in the cellar so as not to distress her father, the Leshem. He nevertheless heard her crying and understood why. In response, he declared that in the merit of her sensitivity, “Next year you will hold a son who will illuminate the world”—a prophecy fulfilled with the birth of Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.
The conversation turned to the name Yosef Shalom itself. Rav Zilberstein asked whether the name hinted to the Ben Ish Chai and the Rashash. Rav Elyashiv noted that many people ask this question, and that Rav Elyashiv’s great-grandson had once asked him directly, to which he replied, “It’s very nice to say so, but if that is truly the reason, I do not know.” Rav Zilberstein observed that “the world says it,” and Rav Elyashiv added that the Ben Ish Chai himself tells a story of a chassid who named his son Yosef Shalom so that he should always bring peace. Rav Zilberstein suggested that in this sense, the name makes peace between Ashkenazim and Sephardim as well.
Before departing, Rav Zilberstein offered warm brachos that the household continue to bring honor to Torah and that the Rebbetzin merit much nachas. As he rose to leave, he began singing the niggun “Yehi hachodesh hazeh,” playfully changing the words to bless the home itself. Pausing by a picture of Rav Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz zt”l, he remarked with a smile, “I see Reb Michel Yehuda telling me to stop singing and run home to learn Torah.”
As the visit concluded, Rav Elyashiv noted, “They say about my father-in-law that on Shabbos he looked like a different person—his face shone with the light of Shabbos.” Rav Zilberstein responded, “Certainly—everyone knew it.” The two then left together to daven Maariv at Tiferes Bachurim.
{Matzav.com}