The Gadol HaDor, Hagaon HaRav Dov Landau shlit”a, Rosh Yeshivas Slabodka, emerged onto the balcony of his home on Rechov HaRav Sher during Chol Hamoed to address the throngs of Yidden waiting patiently for his Bracha—and to ask for mechila.
After more than an hour of tirelessly receiving Yidden from all walks of life—each one seeking a moment, a smile, a Bracha for the Yom Tov—Rav Dov, already well into his upper nineties, stepped outside to speak directly to those still waiting.
In his characteristic warmth and sincerity, the Rosh Yeshiva addressed the assembled crowd: “Yidden yekarim! I apologize to you. I am tired and must stop. I give you my heartfelt Bracha—for menuchas hanefesh, simcha, and kol tuv.”
The moment was brief, but powerful. Here stood the leader of a generation, revered across Klal Yisroel, who despite his physical weakness and advanced age, felt the need to personally apologize to fellow Yidden for being unable to continue giving Brachos.
On Chol Hamoed, it is a long-standing minhag for Yidden to flock to the homes of Gedolei Yisroel, Admorim, and Rabbanim, to receive Brachos and to connect—even if only for a fleeting moment—with those who carry the ruchniyusdik weight of the generation.
In Bnei Brak, the home of Rav Dov Landau shlit”a becomes a destination point for many during Yom Tov. Tens of thousands have streamed through the area throughout Pesach, eager to wish the Rosh Yeshiva a “Gut Yom Tov” and receive his Bracha in return.
PHOTO CREDITS VIA DANIEL NEFOUSSI
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8 Responses
Is it indeed a “long standing minhag” amongst non-chasidim? I don’t remember growing up having hundreds of people waiting outside the door of Rav Moshe Feinstein but maybe there were and I just missed them.Did hundreds of people line up outside the door of the Alter of Slabodka?
@Rocky – Just another total am haaretz. Why don’t you maybe check this up before slandering Chassidim and millions of Yidden. And I guarantee there was a line down the street to see the Alter on Yom tov.
Just for starters, this is a straight up gemara, and the rambam paskens lehalacha you are mechuyav to do this.
וְאָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק: חַיָּיב אָדָם לְהַקְבִּיל פְּנֵי רַבּוֹ בָּרֶגֶל
Rosh hashana 16
Ferd, check your facts – you are mechayeiv to mekabail penai rabbo be’moed; not to receive berachot, That is likely the chassidization of the litvishe world
If indeed all of these people a talmidim, then yes, the gemera is applicable for people to mekabail penai rabbo (not ask for a bracha). Sorry for being skeptical in saying that I doubt all of these people are talmidim. Not every random gadol is called your “Rabbo”.
It gets into a larger issue of people going to a gedolim today asking personal questions, for which the gadol really needs to know the person more intimately. For another time….
DrYidd,
What Rebbi wouldn’t give his Talmid a berachah when he went out of his way to visit him on the Chag?
I don’t know how many people came to welcome Alter from Slabodka. At some point, after he housed 300 students, he had to leave due to opposition of other Rabbis to his mussar approach, taking maybe 30-50 students with him. Mahbe remaining 250 visited him on yom tov? IDK.
Looks like the Army allowed those students a day off to show kavod to their Rebbe.