After Eight Decades: Emotional Reunion Between Two Torah Giants Ends With Shehecheyanu
In a moving moment on the sidelines of the major gathering in Maale HaChamisha protesting the draft decree, two towering Torah personalities—long-lost friends from their youth—were reunited after 80 years. Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, one of the premier poskim of our time, and Rav Yaakov Meir Schechter, revered mashpia and ziknei Breslov, embraced warmly and exchanged brachos.
The event, held Wednesday night at the Sequoia Hall in Maale HaChamisha near Yerushalayim, drew leading gedolei Yisroel and admorim. Rav Zilberstein, rov of Ramat Elchonon and a member of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah, attended alongside Rav Yaakov Meir Schechter, one of the most respected elder figures in the Breslover community. The two were seated near each other and delivered impassioned addresses during the gathering.
Though separated by three years—Rav Schechter is 94, and Rav Zilberstein is 91—the two were once chaveirim in the same class at Yeshiva LeTze’irim Slonim in Yerushalayim, under the leadership of the Netivos Shalom, the previous Slonimer Rebbe, whose yahrtzeit is today.
The Slonimer Rebbe had founded the yeshiva by handpicking the most outstanding boys from Talmudei Torah across the city. Among them were Rav Schechter, Rav Zilberstein—who at the time learned at Etz Chaim—and others who would go on to become leaders in Klal Yisroel, including Rav Moshe Halberstam zt”l and Rav Naftali Tzvi Halberstam zt”l, later the Bobover Rebbe.
The friendship between Rav Schechter and Rav Zilberstein was already exceptional in their youth, marked by a shared passion for Torah and a sense of destiny that set them apart. They learned together intensely, their bond cemented by their devotion to Torah from an early age.
But life took each down different paths, and the two would not meet again for eight decades.
When Rav Zilberstein heard that his childhood friend Rav Schechter would be attending the gathering, he was deeply emotional. He remarked that he wished he had a new fruit so he could recite a Shehecheyanu in honor of the momentous occasion. He noted that despite it being the Nine Days, the Mishnah Berurah rules that one may say Shehecheyanu if the moment is a fleeting mitzvah opportunity—mitzvah overes—which he felt this reunion certainly was.
Rav Schechter, for his part, also became emotional when he learned that Rav Zilberstein would be present. Riding to the event, he shared with his grandchildren and close attendants how deeply moved he was to finally be reunited with his dear friend.
Toward the end of the event, the two gedolim approached one another at the side of the hall. With warmth and visible emotion, they clasped hands and exchanged heartfelt words. The crowd looked on in awe.
Suddenly, Rav Zilberstein raised his voice and recited Shehecheyanu aloud: “Baruch Atah Hashem Elokeinu Melech ha’olam, shehechiyanu, v’kiyimanu, v’higiyanu la’zman hazeh,” his voice trembling. The room answered with a collective and tearful “Amen.”.
Before parting, the two wished one another long life, strength, and continued leadership in good health.
Later that evening, Rav Schechter, still stirred by the encounter, asked his grandson to call Rav Zilberstein so they could speak once more. Reaching him while Rav Zilberstein was en route home, the two gedolim spoke again—this time by phone—for several minutes.
During their conversation, Rav Zilberstein remarked, “Ashreichem, Rav Yaakov Meir, that you have merited to lead such a distinguished kehillah in Klal Yisroel.”
Rav Schechter then invited Rav Zilberstein to visit his community in person to deliver words of chizuk to the avreichim and bnei hayeshivos.
{Matzav.com}