With the beginning of the winter zman, HaRav Chaim Feinstein, Rosh Yeshiva in Ateress Shlomo, visited Yeshivas Ateress Aharon, headed by HaRav Nissim Kaplan, in order to convey a message of ascension and inspiration to the hundreds of students in the Har Nof neighborhood. The theme: to praise and glorify those who toil in Torah, and to praise Torah study itself.

He dwelled upon the importance of the yeshiva students who are "the very object of Creation itself, and its very crown." He added, "Especially in this period, yeshiva students must inculcate in their very essence their own great value and importance and not have qualms about the harsh decrees imposed upon them."

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he vast majority of the American public is fed up with their present president. This is not uncommon in American politics, that a president in his final term reaches a low in public opinion. Most previous presidents lost their majority support in the Senate and House of Representatives, becoming lame ducks in the second half of their term, primarily because most of the expectations pinned on them were without coverage by that time.

Trump failed to realize most of his promises to the voters, mainly on internal issues such as the economy, personal protection, health and other electoral assurances. The present president has other agendas regarding foreign relations, to make major changes on the world map like the war between Russia and the Ukraine, or Israel and the Palestinians, and surely, to win a Nobel Peace Prize. These were unrealistic dreams which shattered in the scene of reality. Trump, like his predecessors, failed in those projects, while his hope to demolish the Iranian regime also miscarried.

Now they have to find whom to blame, like the media as a whole which always resorts to the one culprit — the State of Israel. ...

Part I

This hesped was originally written and published in 1994.

For Part II of this series click here.

Dr. Gottesman, the cardiologist: "Do you realize that during the past two weeks you have suffered two heart attacks, and both times you almost went off to Olam Haboh?

Rav Malin: "Yes, I do, and I know that you ordered strict bed rest. Nevertheless, I still want to go out to daven Minchah- Ma'ariv."

G: "Well—all right, you can go."

M: "I also need to go and learn Torah afterwards in the Kollel."

G: "Hmm... I can permit you to do that, too."

M: "And, Doctor, I must fly to chutz la'aretz to collect donations for my Torah institutions!"

G: "Rav Malin! ... Oh all right, I will let you do that also."

HaRav Meir Malin's total dedication to Torah was realized by all; his own bodily health was governed by it. This dedication manifested itself in his dauntless fight for Torah ideals, not only in Eretz Yisroel but on three continents (in Europe: Brisk and Kaminetz; in Asia: Shanghai and Yerushalayim; in America: Washington, DC). It was a fight that spanned his entire life, from youth until his last breath, under all states of health and at any possible opportunity he could seize—even during a casual meeting.

HaRav Isser Yehuda Malin, eldest son of HaRav Meir zt'l, once asked Dr. Gottesman how he could possibly have allowed his father to undertake all these strenuous activities when he usually ordered strict bed rest, after someone suffered two severe heart attacks. Dr. Gottesman simply replied that over years of treating HaRav Malin he saw clearly that anything related to ruchniyus could only improve his medical condition. "He was healthier in chutz la'aretz running around collecting money for Torah learning than resting here in Eretz Yisroel!"

His Background

There is a famous Yerushalmi saying, "Blood is not water"—a person's lineage goes far to determine what he will be. In HaRav Malin's case, complete commitment to strengthening Torah was certainly deeply-rooted in his blood.

His grandfather, HaRav Isser Yehuda Malin, was descended from the Tosafos Yom Tov. He served as the av beis din of Brisk, and was known for his unbelievable diligence in Torah learning, as well as his personal courage: he never backed down once he had ruled in a din Torah.

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