Good Morning to the Elevator Operator

Moshe Sherer was among the Torah Vodaath students who attended Rav Elchonon in America, and he later called it a turning point in his life. On the first morning, when the young man came to accompany him from his lodgings, the gadol asked him to teach him how to say good morning in English. He practiced until he was satisfied that he had it right.

Rav Sherer later explained the reason. Rav Elchonon wanted to greet the non-Jewish elevator operator pleasantly, following the Gemara that tells how Rabi Yochanan ben Zakkai was first to greet every person in the marketplace, even a non-Jew. The lesson was not lost on the young man, who later represented the Torah world before government leaders.