Rav Moshe and the Pnei Menachem

It is told that when the Pnei Menachem of Ger first visited America, he was to be the guest of honor at an Agudah convention, and Rav Moshe was to introduce him. Rav Moshe was troubled. An ordinary introduction would not do for the son of the Imrei Emes and brother of the Beis Yisroel, yet he did not know the Pnei Menachem personally. Though his schedule was full, one hour was set aside for the two to meet beforehand.

That short meeting stretched on for many hours. When Rav Moshe came out, he said to those close to him that he could hardly believe what he had heard, that this man knew the entire Torah, truly all of it. At the convention Rav Moshe spoke of the Pnei Menachem in glowing terms, telling the audience that he knew those praises to be true because he had experienced them himself.

Some years afterwards, the Pnei Menachem's son, Rav Yehuda Aryeh, became son-in-law to the Ungvar Rav in America, known as the Mishne Halochos. The Pnei Menachem wanted him examined for semicha by the gedolim and rabbonim there, and he named Rav Moshe first. At the door, Rav Moshe's family explained that because of his advanced age and frailty, the Godol Hador no longer examined anyone. Rav Moshe overheard and agreed with them, but asked who the young man was and whose son he was. When he heard the Pnei Menachem's name, he said that he would make a special exception for the son of such a Ga'on Olom. He examined him and gave him semicha.