Adapted from: Moments of Greatness by Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger

R’ Shlomo Gissinger was a beloved rav and posek whose yedios haTorah and leadership were matched by his remarkable compassion and sensitivity.

A bachur who was learning at Chavrei HaKollel in Lakewood became ill and a number of rebbeim took turns staying with him at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.

One Erev Shabbos, one of the visiting rebbeim, R’ Miller, realized that if he didn’t head home from the hospital soon, there would be a risk of not getting back to Lakewood in time for Shabbos. He began a series of calls with R’ Gissinger to discuss questions about the patient and about driving home for Shabbos that late in the day. As the hours passed and the phone calls continued, R’ Gissinger finally ruled that it would be forbidden for the rebbi to travel back to Lakewood at that point. He would have to spend Shabbos at the hospital.

R’ Miller called his wife and informed her that he would be staying in the hospital with the patient over Shabbos, as R’ Gissinger had ruled that it was too late to head home.

A few minutes before Shabbos, there was a knock on the door of R’ Miller’s home in Lakewood. Mrs. Miller opened the door, shocked to see R’ Gissinger standing there, holding a chocolate cake.

“I know your husband won’t be able to be home for Shabbos,” R’ Gissinger said, “and I’m sure it won’t be easy for you and your family, so I brought you this for Shabbos.” R’ Gissinger gently handed the cake to Mrs. Miller, who stood speechless, touched to her very core by the thoughtfulness of the rav.

R’ Gissinger maintained an impossibly busy daily schedule, as he dealt with complex life-and-death questions, yet he never lost sight of the individual. In this case — and there were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of such examples — he had the presence of mind, just minutes before Shabbos, to think of the temporary discomfort of Mrs. Miller and her family.