By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com

It was the early 1980�s.� Rav Shneur Kotler zt�l and Rav Nosson Wachtfogel zt�l were contemplating a dilemma.� It was a dilemma that struck at the very heart of how a Yeshiva must function.

The times of a Yeshiva�s sedorim are, and must always be sacrosanct. But how can this ideal be further imparted to Talmidim? �More specifically, morning seder needed chizuk.� More people needed to come on time.� What to do?

Rav Shneur and Rav Wachtfogel decided to pose the question to, �Dovid� – �one of the Bnei HaYeshiva who was particularly known for his creativity and practicality.� After a brief moment of thought, he responded, �Ich hob an aitzah. I need two weeks.�

Dovid met with Tim, a talented goy and commissioned him for the job he envisioned.� The craftsman worked diligently for two entire weeks.� Finally, he had completed the task.

Dovid gathered the workers in the yeshiva.� He requested that the very next day, if possible, they all show up far earlier then they usually did, but only for twenty minutes.� They would return later for their regular shift.� That day, they came at 4:00 AM.

They began with Phase One.� The workers operated quickly and diligently.� As soon as the first phase of the operation was complete � they locked the door.� Then Phase Two began.� All of Tim�s handiwork was brought in and carefully placed in their appropriate spots.

Davening began at its usual time.� The bochurim learned halacha seder and went to the dining room for breakfast.� Rav Shneur arrived in the Beis Midrash and saw that it was completely full, at the very beginning of the seder!

Rav Shneur approached Dovid and asked, �What did you do?� There were no shmuessim.� There were no tzetelach on the walls.� How was this change accomplished?

Dovid responded, �I switched out the chairs in the dining room with benches without backs. It is so uncomfortable, there is no desire to hang around.� Here in the Bais Medrash the chairs are far more inviting!�

Few people had noticed the change.� The only chairs that remained in the dining room were those of the Mashgiach and the Rosh Yeshiva.� And until this day, there are no chairs in the Yeshiva dining room � only benches.

Rav Gershon Edelstein zt�l once remarked that a Yeshiva with carefully observed Sedorim will merit producing outstanding Talmidei Chachomim.� The thousands of Seforim that have been produced by Lakewood Yungeleit over the years are a testament to Rav Edelstein�s remarkable words.

The author can be reached at [email protected]