By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com

It was a tale of two shuls.  One shul was in Yerushalayim, the other in Bnei Brak.  Both made a request of Rav Avrohom Genachovsky zt”l of the Chebin Yeshiva.  Each needed a baal koreh for the Megillah on Purim.  Rav Genachovsky had two young men available – one who leined rather quickly, and one who leined at a slower pace.

But who to send to which shul?  At first, Rav Avrohom Genachovsky thought to send the faster baal koreh to the shul in Yerushalayim.  That shul was found in the heart of the fast-paced city of Yerushalayim.  It perhaps would be more preferable to send that shul the faster baal-koreh.  But after some thought, Rav Genachovsky reversed himself.  He sent the faster Baal Koreh to the shul in Bnei Brak.

When asked what his rationale was for this decision, he responded as follows:

“In Yerushalayim, they lein the Megillah on the 15^th of Adar – on Shushan Purim.  In Bnei Brak they lein the Megillah on the 14^th – right after Taanis Esther.  People are listening to the Megillah and have not even tasted anything.  Some of them are weak and it would be wrong to extend their fast longer.”

Rav Genachovsky (1936-2012) was one of the leading Gedolim in Eretz Yisroel and was the Rosh Yeshiva of the Chebin Yeshiva in Yerushalayim.  He was also known as one of the leading tzaddikim in yerushalayim.  His father, Rav Eliyahu Moshe was the chavrusa of Rav Yaakov Kemenstky zatzal when they both studied in Lomza.  When Reb Eliyahu Moshe published a much needed Shas in Eretz Yisroel, the Chazon Ish granted him permission to print his Chiddushim alongside it provided that it be organized by his son, Rav Avrohom.

His Chiddushei Torah are studied throughout Eretz Yisroel by leading Talmidei Chachomim.  His shiurim on Shalom Bayis have been printed in a sefer entitled “Amudeha Shiva” which has been acclaimed by leading Gedolim and Rabbonim as one of the leading seforim on Shalom Bayis.

A special thanks to JudaicabyNechama for permission to use the original artwork depicted above.  Both pieces are available for purchase.  Email [email protected]

The author can be reached at [email protected]