Rav Moshe Landynski ZT"L

Yarzheit 18th Adar

This article originally appeared in Yated Neeman, Monsey NY. and is reprinted here with their permission

The Netziv of Volozhin generally gave his best students semicha. Among his top students was an avreich by the name of Moshe Landynski, who had studied in Volozhin for many years. He was renowned for his diligence, and he was very close to the Netziv. The Netziv, however, made an exception and did not give him semicha.

"Am I less worthy than the others who received semicha?" Moshe asked, having difficulty hiding his shock.

"Of course not," the Netziv replied. "But I hope that someone with your gifts and will become a great rosh yeshiva who will produce many students. I don't want you to think of assuming a rabbinical position.

The Netziv's predictions were realized several years later in Sivan 5657/1897, when the Chofetz Chaim invited the 35- year-old Rav Moshe to serve as rosh yeshiva of Radin. It was in the capacity that Rav Moshe fulfilled his life goal of spreading Torah and raising a new generation of Torah scholars.

BEGINNINGS

Rav Moshe was born in 5622/1862 to Rav Dovid Landynski in Kinishin, a small Polish town near Bialystok. Although Kinishin's residents worked long hours to sustain their families, they were highly dedicated to Torah and aspired to imbue their children with love of Torah and yiras Shamayim.

After a strenuous day at work, Rav Dovid would come home and begin to study with tremendous cheishek, devoting every spare moment to intensive study. Growing up in such a home, the young Rav Moshe learned that Torah is the axis on which the world revolves.

At first, Rav Dovid supplemented his son's Torah studies by teaching him himself and sending him to a special melamed. Afterward, he sent him to the city of Maltesh, which had a yeshiva gedola.

Seeking to advance even more, Moshe went to the city of Ruzina, where he joined a group of outstanding talmidei chachamim, headed by the famed Rav Shabsai Wallach. In time, reports of the young scholar's excellence spread, reaching all the way back to Kinishin. One of the town's most prominent members, Rav Yisroel Neiman, was so impressed that he took Rav Moshe as a son-in-law, promising to support him for a number of years.

While still in Kinishin, Rav Moshe visited many gedolei Yisroel in other cities and formed bonds with them. In par - ticular, his thirst for Torah led him to nearby Bialystock, where he became close to Rav Meir Simcha Hakohen of Dvinsk, the Ohr Someach.

'YOU'LL NEVER BE A MERCHANT'

Although Rav Yisroel Neiman supported Rav Moshe for many years, at one point he felt that Rav Moshe should accept a rabbinical position in a prominent city, but Rav Moshe rejected the idea.

When the period during which he promised to support the couple had ended, Rav Yisroel reasoned, "A person with a mind like Moshe's will be an asset in my tree business. I'll take him on as a partner."

Part of that job, which Rav Moshe agreed to accept, involved going out to the woods and examining the quality of the trees. The first time Rav Moshe went to the forest, he returned with his coat torn into shreds.

"What happened?" his father-in-law asked.

"While I was in the forest," Rav Moshe replied, "I became so involved in my Torah thoughts that I forgot why I had gone there. When darkness fell, I decided to return home. But since I couldn't see, I bumped into many trees and twigs on the way. That's how I tore my coat!"

Realizing that Rav Moshe wasn't suited for business, Rav Yisroel told him, "Return to your studies. You'll never be a merchant."

At that time, the Volozhin Yeshiva was gaining wide acclaim, and reports of its distinction reached Kinishin, too. Although Rav Moshe yearned to study in Volozhin, he had three children and hesitated to leave home. Nonetheless, he consulted his wife on the matter, explaining the spiritual advantages of studying in Volozhin. Even though she was fully aware of the difficulties of managing her household alone, she wholeheartedly approved of the idea, as did her father, who promised to help her while Rav Moshe was in Volozhin.

In Volozhin, Rav Moshe absorbed the teachings and the learning approach of the Netziv. Among Rav Moshe's outstanding chavrusas during that period was Rav Zalman Sorotzkin, with whom he studied for two full years from 5 a.m. until 12 p.m. every single day. While in Volozhin, he also became close to Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, and spent many hours speaking in learning with him.

DILIGENCE IN VOLOZHIN

Many stories are told about Rav Moshe's total immersion in Torah study while he was in Volozhin.

His son, Rav Mordechai, related: "One time, one of my father's chavrusas was absent for a study session. Fearing that the chavrusa wasn't well, my father asked a number of students, 'Where's the black-haired bochur who studies with me?'

"'What's his name?' they asked.

"'I don't know. I never had time to ask him,' he replied." Later, when Rav Mordechai was rosh yeshiva in Radin, a man who had studied with him b'chavrusa for six years in Volozhin greeted him. The man was certain that Rav Moshe would recall someone with whom he had learned for so long. As they began to review the Torah they had studied together in Volozhin, the man was astonished by Rav Moshe's recollection of every single Torah thought they had probed then.

One detail, though, eluded Rav Moshe: the man's name. That was because Rav Moshe's mind was always occupied solely with Torah.

Rav Shmuel Dovid Walkin related a similar story of how someone once asked Rav Moshe for information about a certain bochur named Reuven Z. for shidduch purposes. Rav Moshe replied that he didn't know the bochur.

"But he's your chavrusa," the shadchan cried in astonishment. "Really?" he replied. "Is that his name? We never discuss mundane issues."

When Volozhin was forcibly closed because of its refusal to incorporate secular studies into its curriculum, Rav Moshe joined the Brodsky Kollel, which was really an extension of the yeshiva. Unlike the yeshiva, the kollel couldn't be legally closed over curriculum matters because it was subsidized privately, not by the government.

After eight years of study in Volozhin, including his years in the Brodsky Kollel, Rav Moshe returned to Kinishin where, assisted by his father-in-law, he continued to study with remarkable hasmada.

ROSH YESHIVA IN RADIN

In 5629/1869, the Chofetz Chaim founded his yeshiva in Radin. Although it began with only 30 students, over the years it grew by leaps and bounds. As result of this expansion, the Chofetz Chaim sought an illustrious Torah personality to head it. Although there were many qualified candidates, Rav Chaim Soloveitchik recommended Rav Moshe Landynski for the position, and the Chofetz Chaim accepted his advice. Rav Moshe, who felt that this offer would enable him to fulfill his lifelong dream of spreading Torah, accepted it with - out hesitation, and in Sivan 5657/1897, he became Radin's rosh yeshiva.

With Rav Moshe's arrival in Radin, a new chapter in the yeshiva's annals unfolded.

Rav Moshe was a towering Torah figure, and the shiurim he delivered in the yeshiva were remarkable in their lucidity and sound logic. In addition, Rav Moshe remained in the yeshiva during the study sessions, enabling the students to discuss their questions with him at all times and to avail themselves of his vast knowledge. His presence in the study hall also spurred them to increase their toil in Torah and to aspire to advance in their studies.

The Chofetz Chaim, who called Rav Moshe a "walking seforim shrank," would discuss all of the yeshiva's issues with him, and the two concurred on every matter.

The yeshiva students' total respect for and deference to Rav Moshe was a result of his outstanding personality as well as the Chofetz Chaim's esteem for him.

Whenever the Chofetz Chaim delivered a discourse in the yeshiva, he would say, "Nu, Rav Moshe, what do you think about this?" This practice taught the students to address their questions to Rav Moshe and to regard his replies as daas Torah.

INSPIRING THROUGH PERSONAL EXAMPLE

Rav Moshe's very presence in the yeshiva was also a deep source of inspiration for the students. Seeing how their rosh yeshiva, who was thoroughly knowledgeable in every aspect of the Torah, studied without pause had a greater influence on them than any mussar discourse could have.

Indeed, Rav Moshe was a living mussar sefer who didn't verbally demand that his students study with hasmada, but who instead conveyed the need for it by personifying the ben aliya who constantly strives to grow in Torah.

Even his offhand remarks and spontaneous behavior also constituted deep lessons on the value of Torah. He once told a student: "This morning I felt like a meis (a dead person)." When asked what he meant, Rav Moshe replied, "For some reason, I didn't learn properly this morning, and for me such a situation is like death."

In the winter in Radin, the yeshiva's study hall was heated by a stove during the day. But at night, when much of the fire - wood had petered out, it was very difficult to study properly. In order to continue learning, the boys would crowd around the stove. Seeing their diligence, Rav Moshe once went over to the stove and kissed it. Then he excitedly said, "I am jealous of that stove and of its zechus to enable the bochurim to study with such hasmada."

On yet another occasion, he asked his wife for an addi - tional portion of soup, saying, "Is it possible to have some more koach so that I can study more Torah?"

WITH RAV NAFTALI TROP

As rosh yeshiva, Rav Moshe followed the Netziv's approach, which he had acquired while studying under him. However, at that time, Rav Chaim Soloveitchik's approach to learning began to become the accepted method in the yeshiva world.

The Chofetz Chaim felt that the yeshiva needed a rosh yeshiva who would be able to impart Rav Chaim's approach to the students, too, and that this would result in the further development of the yeshiva. For this purpose he selected Rav Naftali Trop, a towering Torah figure with an outstanding oratory and delivery.

The Chofetz Chaim knew quite well that by adding another rosh yeshiva to the staff, Rav Moshe's authority in the yeshiva would be diminished. However, because this step would benefit the yeshiva, he went ahead with his plans nonetheless.

Rav Moshe fully agreed with the Chofetz Chaim's decision, and he bore Rav Naftali no ill will. To the contrary, he would attend all of Rav Naftali's shiurim and marvel at them. Even though Rav Naftali's shiur attracted a huge crowd of bochurim, Rav Moshe would joyously declare, "Boruch Hashem that there is such a maggid shiur. Boruch Hashem that we have Rav Naftali, who delivers such fascinating shiurim and thus increases Torah in Am Yisroel. " A very close friendship soon developed between Rav Moshe and Rav Naftali, and the two often studied b'chavrusa. Rav Naftali would also present his chiddushim to Rav Moshe and seek his opinion on them.

When Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman heard how the two roshei yeshiva worked side by side, he exclaimed, "Such greatness, such ahavas Torah, such good middos."

PILLAR OF CHESSED

Despite his total immersion in Torah, Rav Moshe was thoroughly attuned to the material needs of both the yeshiva students and the citizens of entire town of Radin, and he made every effort to help them. He also encouraged the town's common folk, and he was able to converse with them on their level despite his own greatness.

"One time," a student related, "the two great roshei yeshiva Rav Moshe Landynski and Rav Naftali Trop were taking a walk. Suddenly, they stopped beside a local wagon driver. Rav Naftali asked, 'Is this a good horse? What do you say, Rav Moshe?' Then the two asked the man if he earned a good livelihood and blessed him with success."

Due to Rav Moshe's warmth and geniality, even the simplest people felt at ease with him and shared their problems with him.

ON THE YESHIVA'S BEHALF

When necessary, Rav Moshe would visit the wealthy Jews of Moscow, Kiev and Petersburg in order to raise funds for the yeshiva.

Many of these Jews remembered him from when he had studied in Volozhin and were happy to help him. One of those Jews was the wealthy Reb Kalman Wissotsky, owner of the large tea concern.

At times, the elderly Chofetz Chaim would join Rav Moshe on these trips. On one occasion, they raised 5,000 rubles. The Chofetz Chaim was delighted and he thanked Rav Moshe profusely for his efforts, attributing their success to him.

Rav Moshe, though, later told a student, "The Chofetz Chaim credited me with the accomplishment in Moscow, while in truth we succeeded because of his personality." At times, these fundraising trips had very adverse effects on Rav Moshe's health, and upon his return to Radin he would be bedridden for a number of weeks. But this didn't deter him from making such trips whenever necessary.

KOLLEL KODSHIM

In line with his tangible and staunch emuna in the speedy arrival of Moshiach, the Chofetz Chaim founded a Kollel Kodshim for the study of the laws of korbanos and other laws pertaining to the avoda in the Beis Hamikdash.

His purpose in establishing this kollel was to produce eminent talmidei chachamim who would be able to impart these halachos to Klal Yisroel. This program spanned four years, during which the avreichim studied Kodshim every day dur - ing second seder at the kollel. When they completed this cycle of studies, another group would commence. With his appointment as head of the Kollel Kodshim, Rav Moshe's life took on new meaning. Since this kollel included some of the finest talmidei chachamim of the generation, heading it afforded Rav Moshe an unparalleled opportunity to spread Torah.

Rav Elchonon Wasserman HY"D was one of the illustrious talmidei chachamim who joined this kollel. Although Rav Elchonon was already a prominent rosh yeshiva at that time, he regarded studying in Kollel Kodshim as an additional opportunity to grow in Torah. Another of the kollel's eminent students was Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman, the Ponovezher Rav.

TWO CAMPS

When World War I broke out, the Chofetz Chaim was plagued by a dilemma: Should the yeshiva remain in Radin, which meant falling under German rule, or should it flee to Russia, which involved many dangers, especially during wartime?

When the situation grew critical, some students consulted the Chofetz Chaim's son-in-law, Rav Tzvi Hirsch Levinson, who thought that the Goral HaGra, a special lottery involving various combinations of pesukim, should be used to deter - mine the yeshiva's future. The startling reply he received was, "With my staff I crossed the Jordan, and now I have become two camps."

After receiving this reply, the Chofetz Chaim and a large group of students fled to Russia. Some students, though, had to remain behind in Radin, because the citizenship papers they possessed made it highly dangerous for them to transfer to Russia.

While the Chofetz Chaim and Rav Naftali fled to Russia, Rav Moshe remained with those students who had stayed behind in Radin, seeing to all their needs. He was assisted by Rav Yosef Leib Nendik, who served as mashgiach.

Both yeshivos suffered greatly during this period. In Russia, the Chofetz Chaim suffered the loss of his beloved son-in-law Rav Tzvi Hirsh, while Rav Naftali's wife passed away.

In Radin, the situation was no better, and the students suffered from severe want and starvation.

As rosh yeshiva, Rav Moshe's primary concern was providing his students with sustenance. For this purpose, he secured a vast quantity of onions and opened an onion market, which he personally managed. With the proceeds from his sales he supported the yeshiva's students.

One on occasion, Rav Moshe told Rav Simcha Wasserman, "My involvement in the 'onion market' didn't cause me to neglect my Torah study, and I would review my studies as usual, even when selling. A masmid isn't only one who studies all day, but one who uses every available moment of his time for Torah study. While weighing onions for customers, I would review nine chapters of Mishnayos by heart."

When the situation grew so critical that there wasn't even bread in the yeshiva, Rav Moshe traveled to nearby Eishishok and secured a sack of flour. However, under the wartime circumstances, no wagon could be found to take him back to Radin. Determined not to forego that precious commodity, Rav Moshe placed the heavy sack on his frail back and made the 13-kilometer trek to Radin on foot, glad that he had secured flour with which to prepare bread for his beloved students. "If there is flour there is Torah," he said.

Eventually, the Chofetz Chaim managed to return to Poland with his yeshiva, and after a brief respite in Vilna, returned to Radin. Finding a devastated yeshiva, he then set out to restore it to its former grandeur, aided by Rav Moshe and Rav Naftali.

RESTORATION - AND DECLINE

In time, the yeshiva once more began to flourish and returned to its original state. However, when the Chofetz Chaim became too old and frail to embark on fund-raising campaigns, the yeshiva's material situation once again became critical.

Although Rav Moshe was also elderly at that time, he set out for England to raise funds for the yeshiva, and was very successful. During those difficult times, Rav Moshe refused to take a salary from the yeshiva.

With the petira of the Chofetz Chaim on the 24th of Elul 5693/1933, however, darkness descended upon the world and upon the yeshiva.

Rav Naftali Trop had passed away three years earlier, on 3 Tishrei 5690/1930. Five years after the Chofetz Chaim's passing, on 18 Adar Sheini, 5698/1938, Rav Moshe returned his pure soul to its Maker. Rav Moshe was buried in Radin beside Rav Naftali and not far from the Chofetz Chaim. Rav Moshe was survived by illustrious children who continued to follow in his footsteps by raising Torah's glory. Today he lives on in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as in the descendants of the thousands of talmidim he produced and inspired.