Posted on 12/18/21
| News Source: Vosizneias.com
Incoming US Ambassador Tom Nides visited two Gedolei Hador Thursday in Bnei Brak, Hagaon Rav Chaim Kanievsky and Hagaon Rav Gershon Edelstein.
The ambassador was accompanied by MKs Meir Porush and Yitzhak Pindros.
His meeting with Rav Edelstein lasted longer than scheduled, and was particularly interesting. Among other topics, they discussed Israel-US relations and the specific needs of Klal Yisrael. The Rosh Yeshiva expressed the gratitude that Charedim have for the United States.
At one point, Nides expressed his wish that the Rosh Yeshiva should have a “long reign as king”. When the phrase was translated for Rav Edelstein, he replied, “teaching Torah is not an Kingdom, it is slavery”.
The ambassador asked for advice on how to succeed in his position. In addition, he expressed interest in the shiurim and schmoozim of the Rosh Yeshiva. He requested a sefer of his schmoozim, translated into English, and asked if he would be considered the Rosh Yeshiva’s student if he studied his schmoozim.
The Rosh Yeshiva inscribed divrei bracha in the sefer, and Nides left the house enthusiastically grasping it.