Rav Shneur Kotler was the son of Rav Aharon
Kotler, and he shared the following comments
about his father, the founder and first Rosh
Yeshiva (Head) of the famous Lakewood Yeshiva:
"My father - may the memory of the righteous be
a blessing - had to constantly arouse people;
reprove people; make demands. Yet he never gave
reproof or made demands without first expressing
that person's virtue with love...Without making
sure that the person knows his worth in his (the
Rosh Yeshiva's) eyes so that his spirit doesn't
fall; so that he doesn't lose his interest,
vitality and creativity..."
A reference to the above idea in found in the
following advice of King Solomon:
"Do not admonish the scoffer, lest he hate you;
admonish the wise person, and he will love you."
(Proverbs 9:8)
According to Rabbi Moshe Alshich, a noted
biblical commentator, the above verse has
the following deeper meaning:
There is a scoffer and a wise person
within each of us. If you address the
scoffer within the other person, he will
resent your criticism and hate you; however,
if you address the wise soul within him -
his true essence - then he will love you for
reminding him of his true and good nature.
This is universal advice which all people
can follow by remembering that the friend
one is rebuking is created in the Divine
image (Genesis 5:1).
Be Well, and Shalom,
Yosef Ben Shlomo Hakohen (See below)
The above insights are cited in “The Legacy
of Maran Rav Aharon Kotler” by Rabbi
Yitzchok Dershowitz. This amazing and
inspiring book is about the life and
teachings of one of the great spiritual
leaders of our people during the 20th
century. The teachings and stories in this
book can help us to become the spiritual
children of this great sage. This book also
helps us to appreciate the power of Torah
study and how each of us can tap into this
source of power. It is published by
Feldheim:
www.feldheim.com