Highlighting: “Reb Dovid: The Life and Legacy of Reb Dovid Feinstein” by Yisroel Besser. ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications. 2022. Hardcover. 305 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1422632611.

(Courtesy of Artscroll) “Reb Dovid” is a brand new biography depicting the life and legacy of Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l. Born to one of the greatest poskei hador of his time, Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l, Rav Dovid himself was a phenomenal masmid and illui. Yet Rav Dovid carried his incomparable yichus and many accomplishments lightly, with a sweetness and humility that only emphasized his Torah greatness.

He was a quiet man, content to sit and learn day and night in the MTJ beis medrash that was his second home for eight decades. And yet, with the achrayus for the klal that also defined him, he taught and influenced thousands, beloved by talmidim and virtual strangers alike for his compassion, deep understanding of human nature, and his gentle smile.

He was, as one of America’s leading roshei yeshivah said of him, a man who was “kulo Torah”—whose essence was Torah. Kulo Torah included care and consideration for others—the ability to understand the needs of the talmidim who were so drawn to him, of petitioners who came to him pleading for tefillos and brachos, of shoppers who stopped him in grocery store aisles with halachic questions, and of his people, his neighbors and friends on his beloved Lower East Side.

“Reb Dovid” is a book about the many aspects of Torah greatness that a person can achieve—a book that helps us achieve greatness as well.

The following are two anecdotes from this new book, a volume packed with stories of uplift and inspiration.

• • • •

One Purim morning, Reb Dovid wentered the local bakery to buy challos for the Purim seudah. The proprietor came around the counter to speak to the rosh yeshivah privately. In a quiet voice, he told Reb Dovid that he had just received the news that his father had passed away, and he was unsure how to proceed. He knew that he had to leave the store immediately, but he was hesitant to close the business on such a busy day.

Reb Dovid told him to sign ownership of the store over to a brother-in-law whom he trusted, and to ask that brother-in-law to come in and run the store for the day. The proprietor did that, but the brother-in-law needed a few hours until he could make it to the Lower East Side.

No problem, said the rosh yeshivah. “You can go. It’s taken care of until he comes,” Reb Dovid said, ushering the owner out as he, himself, stepped behind the counter to serve the customers.

During the period of the rosh yeshivah’s illness, he often had to give blood for various tests. A new nurse joined the rotation, and Reb Dovid understood that he was nervous about taking blood. The rosh yeshivah would sit calmly as the nurse tried to find a vein, joking and lightening the mood even when it took several attempts.

One day, this nurse came in and he managed to find a vein on the very first try. “On the first try!” the rosh yeshivah exclaimed happily, and he started applauding for the nurse, who was beaming with pride. Later in the day, the nurse sought out a Jewish doctor and asked to speak with him privately.

“I want to make a donation to that rabbi’s school. Can you tell me how to go about it? He made me feel so good.”