Rav Chaim Kanievsky Stays in Cheder for 30 Days
So his young son would not cry on his first days of cheder, Rav Chaim Kanievsky sat learning at the back of the classroom every day for a month.
Rav Chaim’s dedication to his family was legendary. When he took his young child to cheder for the first time, he went with all the other fathers to acclimate their sons to the new cheder. After all the fathers had left, the rebbi noticed that Rav Chaim was still sitting in the back learning Torah. The rebbi remarked to Rav Chaim that of course he is welcome to stay as long as he wants, but all the other fathers left already.
Rav Chaim said, “But if I leave, my child will cry!”
The rebbi responded, “Yes. It’s true. However, I have found that the children only cry a little bit. I give them a candy and then everything is fine.”
But Rav Chaim persisted, “I don’t want my child to cry a little bit!”
The rebbi said, “Fine. Of course, you can stay, but what will happen tomorrow?”
Rav Chaim said, “I’ll come back tomorrow. All the other parents aren’t able to learn or perform their jobs here. I could learn the same here as I learn in Kollel.”
Rav Chaim indeed came back the next day, and the next day, and the next day. Rav Chaim attended preschool class with his young son for 30 days until his son was fully acclimated and would not cry upon his departure.