By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com
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It was the early 1980’s. Rav Shneur Kotler zt”l and Rav Nosson Wachtfogel zt”l were contemplating a dilemma. It was a dilemma that struck at the very heart of how a Yeshiva must function.
The times of a Yeshiva’s sedorim are, and must always be sacrosanct. But how can this ideal be further imparted to Talmidim? More specifically, morning seder needed chizuk. More people needed to come on time. What to do?
Rav Shneur and Rav Wachtfogel decided to pose the question to, “Dovid” – one of the Bnei HaYeshiva who was particularly known for his creativity and practicality. After a brief moment of thought, he responded, “Ich hob an aitzah. I need two weeks.”
Dovid met with Tim, a talented goy and commissioned him for the job he envisioned. The craftsman worked diligently for two entire weeks. Finally, he had completed the task.
Dovid gathered the workers in the yeshiva. He requested that the very next day, if possible, they all show up far earlier then they usually did, but only for twenty minutes. They would return later for their regular shift. That day, they came at 4:00 AM.
They began with Phase One. The workers operated quickly and diligently. As soon as the first phase of the operation was complete – they locked the door. Then Phase Two began. All of Tim’s handiwork was brought in and carefully placed in their appropriate spots.
Davening began at its usual time. The bochurim learned halacha seder and went to the dining room for breakfast. Rav Shneur arrived in the Beis Midrash and saw that it was completely full, at the very beginning of the seder!
Rav Shneur approached Dovid and asked, “What did you do? There were no shmuessim. There were no tzetelach on the walls. How was this change accomplished?
Dovid responded, “I switched out the chairs in the dining room with benches without backs. It is so uncomfortable, there is no desire to hang around. Here in the Bais Medrash the chairs are far more inviting!”
Few people had noticed the change. The only chairs that remained in the dining room were those of the Mashgiach and the Rosh Yeshiva. And until this day, there are no chairs in the Yeshiva dining room – only benches.
Rav Gershon Edelstein zt”l once remarked that a Yeshiva with carefully observed Sedorim will merit producing outstanding Talmidei Chachomim. The thousands of Seforim that have been produced by Lakewood Yungeleit over the years are a testament to Rav Edelstein’s remarkable words.
The author can be reached at [email protected]
As a business owner that learns in BMG every morning, I can attest to the fact the Hasmada is awesome!
I also want to point out that where I sit there are 5 Yungeleit within 20 feet that are the real deal. People come to speak to them in various topics all over shas, and they answer with such sweetness and middos, it is breathtaking to watch.
Hashem should continue to give us such Gedolei Torah!!
BTW Bais Shalom lunchroom recently got new plastic folding chairs, they are definitely not comfortable!!
Finally! I was in Lakewood in 1980, and have had back issues my whole life! (I always spend 45 minutes on breakfast!) Please, if someone can let me know who this “Dovid” guy is, I’ll make it worth their time; I’d like to have some words with this Sadist who ruined my life! LOL
the same is Israel all those who work are losing so much schar and by the way your TAXES are higher.
I learned in Lakewood for many years in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, and aside from the fact that there were never any chairs in the dining room, only backless benches, the latecomer problem was never that people were having long breakfasts. They were davening in the local shtiblach (Yuke’s, Satmar, etc.), rather than in the Yeshiva, so naturally they came late. This story rings hollow, especially with people who were there at the time…