By Rabbi Baruch Lederman
SAN DIEGO–One morning the revered Rosh Yeshivah, Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky, zt”l, was about to enter Mesivta Torah Vodaath, when a
teenager sprinted forward to open the door for him. The boy was holding his own Tefillin while also holding the door open for him to
enter.
Rav Yaakov stopped at the door. “You are holding Tefillin, you must go first. Anyone who is carrying a sacred item has precedence.”
The boy was taken aback. “I can’t enter before the Rosh Yeshiva! That would be disrespectful!”
My zaide insisted. “But you are holding Tefillin! You go first.”
The boy stood frozen. It was indeed a conundrum.
Then the Rabbi smiled. “Let me help you,” he said.
He took the boy’s Tefillin and walked into the building with them. The boy followed behind, and as soon as the Rabbi was inside, he
turned around and gave the boy his Tefillin.
[The foregoing true story was submitted by Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky, grandson of Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky.]
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Rabbi Lederman is spiritual leader of Congregation Kehillas Torah in San Diego. He may be contacted via baruch.lederman@sdjewishworld.com