Lakewood Yeshiva Head Meets Leading Rabbi, Reflects on Historic Torah Legacy

Last week, Rabbi Malkiel Kotler, head of the Lakewood Yeshiva, visited Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, a leading Torah authority known as the "posek hador." Upon entering, Rabbi Sternbuch warmly welcomed Rabbi Kotler with great respect. When Rabbi Kotler sought a blessing, Rabbi Sternbuch humbly responded that blessings upon blessings add nothing, emphasizing that their role is to give blessings rather than receive them. Rabbi Kotler replied modestly that he hoped to receive blessings but certainly did not come to give them.

Rabbi Sternbuch then blessed Rabbi Kotler warmly, praying for divine assistance and miracles, acknowledging the great merit of leading such a yeshiva and expressing confidence that many salvations for the Jewish people would come through his efforts. During their uplifting conversation, Rabbi Sternbuch recalled his own Torah study days in London and the historic visit of Rabbi Aharon Kotler, Rabbi Malkiel Kotler’s grandfather, who had stayed at his family home during his travels to strengthen Torah learning.

Rabbi Kotler mentioned that Rabbi Aharon Kotler had once tried to persuade Rabbi Sternbuch to join him in Lakewood to teach Torah there. Rabbi Sternbuch smiled and confirmed this, recalling that Rabbi Aharon Kotler wished for him to accompany him to the United States to establish his study under his roof and assist in Torah teaching. However, Rabbi Sternbuch declined, as his soul yearned to make aliyah and study Torah in the Land of Israel. A rare letter from that period on this subject has been preserved.

At the conclusion of the visit, Rabbi Kotler wished Rabbi Sternbuch health and longevity, and Rabbi Sternbuch blessed him again, praising the significant achievements of the Lakewood Yeshiva under his leadership. The meeting highlighted a deep historical and spiritual connection between Torah centers in the United States and Israel, underscoring the unity of Torah scholarship across continents.