A Blessing for the Rebbetzin

One of his talmidim retells that he was present when Reb Yaakov was writing a letter in the name of the gedolim of America to Rav Yechezkel Abramsky about the problem of autopsies. For five long minutes Reb Yaakov sat and pondered how to acknowledge Rav Yechezkel's Rebbetzin, who had been the widow of Rav Yechiel Michel Gordon. This was not a private letter. It represented many gedolim and roshei yeshivos. After considerable thought he found the right phrase: "and we send our brochoh to all who are present in the shadow of Rabbeinu and his Torah." This included the talmidim as well as the Rebbetzin.

Reb Yaakov was relieved by this flash of inspiration, and he turned to his talmid and said, "When the letter arrives, Rav Yechezkel will probably call his Rebbetzin and show her that she is still remembered in America. In this way we will have the mitzvah of gladdening the heart of an almanah."