Rav Moshe Chevroni: A Lesson in Honesty

The 28th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Moshe Chevroni, rosh yeshiva of Chevron (1986).  He authored Mas’eis Moshe and was a son-in-law of R’ Moshe Mordechai Epstein (rosh yeshiva in Slobodka, Chevron).

Rav Moshe Chevroni was once walking in Jerusalem with his uncle, Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, and he said, “Come, let’s visit a young man who lives here.” When he saw that Rav Isser Zalman was surprised, he explained, “this young man has terrible physical suffering and continues to strive to attach to God. He is surely beloved by God, “God rebukes the one He loves (Proverbs 3:12).” Rav Isser Zalman agreed, and the two went upstairs to visit the young man.

When they entered, Rav Isser Zalman said, “We happened to be passing your home and decided to visit.” Rav Moshe didn’t understand why the Rosh Yeshiva had to mention that they happened to be passing.

When they left, Rav Isser Zalman explained, “Had I not said anything, he would have thought that we went out just to see him. That would have been misleading him, and dishonest. (BiDerech Eitz Chaim, p. 482-483)