Rav Chaim Kanievsky Answers a Second Grader
A second grader writes to Rav Chaim Kanievsky about a puzzling word in Parshas Mikeitz. Rav Chaim knew a reply would give the boy chizuk, and answered with a smile.
Rav Chaim was famous for responding to the many letters he received. Very often, he responded with short, sometimes one-word answers that were quick and to the point. One time, Rav Chaim received a letter and seemed to be contemplating it. His relative who was in the room was wondering what was so complex about this particular letter. Finally, Rav Chaim handed over the letter to his relative and asked him to read it. The letter was written in big bold letters. It stated, “L’kavod Rav Kanievsky, Shalom. We learned in Cheder in Parshas Mikeitz, that Pharaoh had a dream, and seven cows came out of the river, and seven cows came out ‘Achareihen,’ after them. I asked my Rebbe why does the word Achareihen end with a ‘nun’ and not a ‘mem,’ and he didn’t have an answer. Therefore, I am asking the Rav.” It was signed “Moishy Cohen, second grade, Talmud Torah Tashbar.”
After the relative finished reading the letter, Rav Chaim remarked, “I could send a letter explaining the rules of grammar, but the child wouldn’t understand.”
The relative said, “Then don’t respond to the letter.”