Adapted from: One for the Books by Rabbi Yechiel Spero

In the hallowed halls of Yeshivas Etz Chaim, Rav Aryeh Levin, the tzaddik of Yerushalayim, stood out — not just in Torah and chochmah, but also in his boundless care for every child. Each morning, he would stand at the yeshivah’s entrance, a warm smile upon his face, his eyes scanning the talmidim. Rav Aryeh wasn’t looking to see who had done their homework or who had arrived on time. He was looking for something more. Which child seemed burdened? Whose face was clouded with sadness? Who needed a kind word or a boost that day?

If he saw a boy with torn shoes, he discreetly ensured that money was sent home to buy new ones. If a child carried an empty knapsack, Rav Aryeh understood it meant an empty lunch bag — and an empty pantry at home. Inconspicuously, he would see to it that food arrived for the boy’s family. Rav Aryeh’s heart was so full of love for every Yiddishe neshamah that no detail escaped his attention.

The following story stands out as a shining example of genuine chesed — a moving glimpse into Rav Aryeh’s deep and constant drive to help others, regardless of how hard it may have been.

When Yehoshua was in fifth grade, the yeshivah administration decided to split the class into two groups. The brighter talmidim, referred to as baalei kishron, who were, in this case, more motivated, were placed in one class. The weaker boys, those who struggled with their learning, and who, in this case, showed less enthusiasm, were assigned to another. Included in the second group was Yehoshua.

This decision troubled Yehoshua’s mother. As the daughter of Rav Shlomo Tzvi Atik, a man whose home was filled with a reverence and love for Torah, the thought of her son being placed in the weaker class was unbearable. She feared it would affect not only his learning but also his self-worth, his future. In her mind, Yehoshua belonged in the higher class, among the boys who were thriving in their studies.

Determined to advocate for her son, Mrs. Kozlick approached Rav Aryeh Levin, the mashgiach of the yeshivah and the one responsible for these decisions. She presented her plea, describing her aspirations for Yehoshua and her desire for him to be in an environment that would challenge and motivate him.

Rav Aryeh listened intently. He didn’t interrupt, allowing her to express every concern, every hope. When she finished, he nodded thoughtfully. “Leave it to me. I will take care of it.”

Mrs. Kozlick left the meeting with hope. Surely, Rav Aryeh would move Yehoshua to the stronger class. After all, how could he refuse such a request?

Rav Aryeh had other plans, plans that no one could have anticipated.

Instead of transferring Yehoshua to the higher class, Rav Aryeh made a bold and unexpected decision. He chose to move his own grandson, Avraham Dov Levin, out of the advanced class and into the weaker one. It was an extraordinary move, one that demonstrated Rav Aryeh’s wisdom and commitment to the growth of every talmid.

By placing Avraham Dov in the weaker class, Rav Aryeh achieved something remarkable. His grandson, a capable and motivated boy, became a source of strength and inspiration for the others. His presence elevated the entire class, turning the dynamic from one of perceived inadequacy to one of potential and possibility; they no longer saw themselves as second-tier. They began to rise, their confidence growing, their learning revitalized. Rav Aryeh did not simply rearrange students, he infused the class with a sense of purpose and pride.

For Yehoshua’s mother, this decision brought reassurance and relief. Rav Aryeh’s action was a clear statement: Your son matters; his growth and success are important. And though Rav Aryeh had not done exactly what she had asked, he had found a way to address her concerns while ensuring that the entire class, including Yehoshua, would benefit.

Decades later, Yehoshua would speak about this moment with admiration. “Rav Aryeh didn’t just solve problems, he elevated people. He found ways to uplift everyone, to make each person feel valued, important, and capable of achieving greatness.”

One talmid at a time.