Back Into the Burning Building
In the early days of the yeshiva’s current campus, flames erupted in the building that housed the Rosh Yeshiva’s home, and everybody rushed outside. Then Rav Ruderman suddenly ran back in, calling out that he had left something behind that could not be replaced.
What was it that he risked his life to retrieve? His rare copy of the sefer Nesivos HaMishpat on Rabbeinu Yerucham. His love of Torah was strong enough to overcome even the most natural human instincts.
More stories of Rav Yaakov HaLevi Ruderman
All 13 ›Nodding Through the ProcedureThe Rosh Yeshiva once had to go through a long medical procedure. To take his mind off the discomfort, the doctor made conversation, and Rav Ruderman nodded throughout as though…Gemara by Heart on the RoadOn a long trip, two bochurim from the yeshiva traveled with the Rosh Yeshiva and decided to use the time to review several pages of Maseches Berachos that they knew by heart. The…No Tosafos ForgottenWhen Rav Ruderman was in his eighties, a talmid went with him to daven Mincha. The Rosh Yeshiva complained that the strong medicines he took for his many ailments made him forget…Living SeforimRav Ruderman used to show his talmidim a letter he had received in 5719 (1959) from the Steipler Gaon. The Steipler was asking for financial help to print the first volume of his…Sick Over Rav Schneur’s IllnessIn 1982 a talmid arrived at the Rosh Yeshiva’s home to accompany him to Mincha. He noticed that Rav Ruderman’s face looked broken. The Rosh Yeshiva said he had just heard that Rav…Rav Nochum’s Late Chanukah CandlesRav Ruderman’s special consideration for his Rebbetzin had its roots in something he learned from the Chofetz Chaim, an account of a Chanukah night when the Chofetz Chaim was…
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