Words of Advice

An intellectually honest individual will recognize that Hashem alone created man, as demonstrated in the subsequent verse that describes man’s creation with the word “Vayivra,” meaning “and He created.” This clearly indicates that only Hashem was responsible for the creation of man. The plural verb used in the previous verse conveys a moral lesson about consulting with those of lesser stature.

The Alter of Slabodka emphasized that this Gemara highlights the importance of moral lessons. Teaching this principle was deemed worthwhile, even at the risk that some might misinterpret the Torah and suggest a plurality in Creation.

The Maayana Shel Torah highlights a profound lesson about the timing of Hashem’s consultation with the ministering Angels about creating man. This occurred after the creation of the entire world. Man’s role is the culmination of Creation. As elucidated in Sanhedrin 39a, without man, the world lacks purpose.

This sequence teaches us the importance of remaining open to advice and reconsideration, even in the advanced stages of a project. It’s tempting to believe that a project’s completion is inevitable as it nears its end. However, Hashem’s example demonstrates that the option to abandon a project always exists.

Rav Henoch Leibowitz, zt”l, the Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, took the entire yeshiva to Eretz Yisrael for a year on two occasions. In the 1990s, he decided to do it again, and the yeshiva was filled with excitement as people began to make various plans. However, one morning, he requested that his shtender be placed on the bima. He cited the above Maayana Shel Torah and explained that despite all the preparations, time, and effort that had been invested, they needed to be ready to abandon the idea if it no longer seemed appropriate.

He acknowledged that there would inevitably be individuals who would suffer if the yeshiva went to Israel for a year, and therefore, the project must be abandoned even at such a late stage.

For many years, Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim sought to relocate from its Forest Hills location. The building was not originally designed as a yeshiva. The back wall of the Beis Medrash featured two square openings intended for movie projectors, and the study hall was primarily built underground to prevent light from interfering with the films. A poorly lit side room, referred to as “the cave,” housed mechanical equipment as well as racks of bookshelves for seforim. JEP of Long Island also had to use this space for their operations. Bochurim stored their tefillin there, and if, heaven forbid, a bochur missed davening, he would pray in this room, earning the nickname “caveman.” Every square foot was utilized, and there were even a few shelves of seforim for sale.

The dormitory facilities were overcrowded. One year, a Purim play humorously depicted a dormitory room with ten mattresses stacked directly on top of each other. As someone entered to wake the boys, arms would protrude from between each mattress!

The dining room was originally a projection hall and lacked central heating. Instead, there was a large commercial heater in the corner affectionately known as “the dragon.” When it became too hot, a call would go out to “put the dragon to sleep.”

Due to limited space, an additional room on the first floor was converted into a dormitory, which was nicknamed “the dungeon” because of its below-ground location.

In the high school and dormitory wing, the hallways were too narrow for two people to pass each other comfortably. Many can recall the persistent roof leak in front of the main office. Rav Avrohom Ginzberg, zt”l, the long-time executive director of Chofetz Chaim, once jokingly remarked, “If the building catches fire, just take out the seforim and let it burn!”

With this background, one can imagine how excited the Rosh HaYeshiva was when the Yeshiva finally built a state-of-the-art, spacious building in Kew Gardens Hills. This marked the culmination of half-a-century of effort. However, some controversy arose. A group opposed the Yeshiva’s relocation and requested a meeting with the Rosh HaYeshiva. HaRav Yosef Singer, shlita, the menahel of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, exclaimed, “The building is already constructed! The Yeshiva will be relocating soon! What is there to discuss?!?” Nonetheless, the Rosh HaYeshiva was prepared to forego the long-awaited building if daas Torah dictated such a decision. The Rosh HaYeshiva was willing to live with the cave, dungeon, and dragon if that course of action proved correct.

Even after considerable effort and investment, the willingness to reassess and potentially abandon a project in light of changing circumstances reflects a deep commitment to the Torah ideals. As we navigate the complexities of our own endeavors, may we carry this lesson with us, ensuring that our actions remain aligned with our Torah regardless of how far along we are in our journeys.