A strong bond of friendship and respect existed between HaGaon HaRav Shimon Badani, z’tl, and יבלחט”א the Rosh Yeshivah HaGaon HaRav Meir Tzvi Bergman, a bond that began with HaRav Badani’s friendship with HaRav Bergman’s father-in-law, HaRav Shach, z’tl.

In a video of a kinus held in Petach Tikvah a number of years ago, HaRav Bergman can be seen entering the room when HaRav Badani was already sitting at the head of the table. However, as soon as HaRav Badani spotted the Rosh Yeshivah, he immediately arose from his place and insisted that HaRav Bergman sit in his place.

The Rosh Yeshivah of course refused and a short “battle” took place before HaRav Badani, z’tl, “won” and HaRav Bergman conceded.

When HaRav Bergman was informed about HaRav Badani’s petirah on Wednesday morning, he spoke a little about the deep bond and appreciation his father-in-law HaRav Shach, z’tl, had with HaRav Badani, z’tl. “He even used to go HaRav Badani’s kollel on a regular basis to give shiurim,” HaRav Bergman said.

“At the time that HaRav Shach, z’tl, underwent surgery to remove a tumor, he was very weak and the doctors forbade him to exert himself. I went to HaRav Badani’s home together with Rav Yechezkel Eschayek [HaRav Shach’s shamash] and asked him why he’s matriach the Rosh Yeshivah to come to his kollel to deliver shiruim.”

“HaRav Badani answered that he never actually asked HaRav Shach to deliver shiurim at his kollel – on the contrary, HaRav Shach, z’tl, would tell him how he managed to evade Reb Eschayek so he wouldn’t stop him from coming. I told HaRav Badani that he should go to the Rosh Yeshivah and tell him that now, during this period, he shouldn’t come and deliver shiurim because his health is more important. HaRav Badani went immediately to the Rosh Yeshivah to talk to him.”

“Afterward, HaRav Badani told me what happened. HaRav Shach listened to him and responded: ‘Look at my home, I have nothing here. I have nothing to give to others. But Torah I can give and even this they want to take from me.'”

HaRav Bergman continued: “And the truth is that HaRav Badani, z’tl himself fulfilled what he heard from the Rosh Yeshivah, z’tl. All he did was constantly seek to increase and spread Torah. To give himself to others so there will be talmidei chachamim.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)