It was the Steipler Gaon who crowned Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky as the “chakima d’Yehudai,” the wise man of the Jewish People. And, indeed, the individuals, institutions and communities that benefited from Reb Yaakov’s sage counsel for nearly half a century were legion. But it wasn’t only his insight and foresight that made Reb Yaakov the address for Klal Yisrael, but equally his ability to advise others on the most difficult issues without an iota of self-interest coloring his advice.
“You’re mamish a novi! How did you know I learned daf yomi with Reb Yankev every summer for ten years?!” exclaimed Rav Leibel Wulliger rosh kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath with his trademark exuberance.
In fact I hadn’t known Reb Leibel was Reb Yaakov’s chavrusa; I was in Torah Vodaath that morning for another reason altogether but when I saw the Rosh Kollel whom I knew to be a longtime maggid shiur in Camp Ohr Shraga — where Rav Yaakov summered for many years I decided to ask if he had memories to share which he heartily agreed to do. The camp located in Greenfield Park New York was founded by Rav Zelik Epstein and Rav Nesanel Quinn and named in memory of the unforgettable Reb Shraga Feivel Mendlowitz the builder of Torah institutions in America.
Reb Yaakov had famously begun learning daf yomi after being honored with beginning the new cycle of Shas before the tens of thousands present at the previous Siyum HaShas. Much later he told Reb Leibel with his characteristic humility that there are days he’s kept so busy receiving visitors and dispensing advice and guidance that if not for his nonnegotiable daf yomi seder “ver veist oyb ich volt gelernt [who knows if I would have learned at all]?”
I ask Reb Leibel if the Rosh Yeshivah was ever late to their seder. “Never ever. And almost never did he interrupt it for any reason. We learned from 9:45 to 12:30 every day. And sometimes he’d end a bit early saying “Yetzt gei ich upschreiben [Now I’m going to write up the chiddushim from (that day’s) seder].”
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