The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

Today, the 15th of Marcheshvan, is the 69th Yahrtzeit of the Chason Ish. HaRav Avraham Yeshaya Karelitz passed away on Shabbos, October 24, 1953, corresponding to the 15th of Marcheshvan 5714. The Chazon Ish’s scholarship needs no elaboration nor proof. He was universally recognized as a giant in Torah scholarship and as the official leader and spokesperson of Torah Judaism. This is evidenced by the fact that his halachik opinions were sought out by all Gedolei Yisroel, and his decisions were considered binding by much of Orthodox Jewry. His role as the official policy maker of Torah Jewry is seen by the fact that Prime Minister David Ben Gurion consulted him on issues regarding parliamentary policies of the State of Israel.

Often, he is portrayed as a Machmir, one who is strict in the interpretation of Halacha. It is well known that his halachik requirements for weights and measures were larger than other halachik scholars. However, what is sometimes forgotten is his sensitivity to his fellow humans. In fact, this aspect of his personality, which unfortunately is sometimes not stressed sufficiently, has always drawn me to him, and I have attempted to emulate him in this aspect of his character.

I quote two examples of his sensitivity to his fellow human beings. Both of these examples were written himself in answer to letters addressed to him.

In his collected letters (Volume One, letter 211) he writes, “Once must strengthen themselves in the study of Torah…and especially (one should study) the laws of Bein Adam L’Chaverio (laws dealing with interpersonal relationships). One must be careful never to cause pain or anguish to anyone, even in informal conversational speech. (One must be careful to avoid this) even if the pain is short-lasting (literally, “Ap L’rega,” even for a minute). For (if one does cause pain) they transgress a Torah prohibition.”

Similarly, in Volume one, letter number 33, The Chazon Ish writes, regarding his personal resolutions: “I consider it an extreme obligation to be careful never to cause unpleasantness to any human being, even for one minute.”

The Chazon Ish, the great halakhist who involved himself day and night with the intricacies of the minutia of the most esoteric aspects of the halachik universe, nevertheless writes that he feels “extremely obligated to be careful never to cause unpleasantness to any human being, even for one minute.”

This is what made the Chazon Ish a man whose advice, blessing, and counsel were sought out by thousands, even by the Prime Minister of the State of Israel. A person who lives a life of constantly being on guard, never to cause unpleasantness to any human being, even for one minute, such a person, is my hero. This is the true reason he was beloved and embraced by all.

May his memory be a blessing for all.

Let’s all try today, in his honor, on his Yahrtzeit, not to cause unpleasantness to any human being.