I
t was the mid 1980s and the young student, new to all things Orthodox, made himself comfortable on the inter-Jerusalem city bus. An elderly white-bearded American scholar boarded and took the seat next to him, and within minutes, the two English speakers struck up a cordial conversation.
The student shared that he had left university two months before in order to learn at Aish HaTorah.
The visiting rav politely asked who his rebbi was.
“Rabbi Aaron Kotler,” said the young man.
The rav, an early talmid of Beth Medrash Govoha, was overcome with reverential silence, transported to a different time. Finally, he spoke. “Your rebbi carries a great name.”
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