Today, we’re doing something a little different.
Most of our episodes feature incredible role models—people who are navigating the balance between Torah and work with strength and clarity. But today, we’re going back in time to talk about someone who is no longer with us. Someone who lived over a century ago, yet whose story feels just as relevant today as it did then.
This is the story of the baal habayis who shocked the Netziv.
Now, focusing on a historical figure isn’t a new concept for Shtark Tank. In fact, if you haven’t yet listened to ourincredible series on the legacy of Rabbi Sacks, I highly recommend it. But today’s episode is unique for another reason.
For the first time, this is not an interview. There’s no back-and-forth discussion. It’s just me, sharing a story that had adeep impact on my own life.
This story comes from the fourth volume of Makor Baruch, the historical memoir written by Rav Baruch Epstein, the esteemed author of Torah Temimah, Tosefes Bracha, Baruch She’amar, and many other sefarim.
Makor Baruch was written toward the end of his life, and the fourth volume, in particular, is devoted to his illustrious uncle—the Netziv, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin.Through its pages, we get a rare, intimate look at the Netziv’s wisdom, his middos, and his unwavering commitment toTorah and his talmidim.
Some sections of this work were later translated into English under the title My Uncle, the Netziv, a book that generated its fair share of controversy. Discussions about secular studies in Volozhin, women learning Gemara, evenreading newspapers on Shabbos—these topics sparked plenty of debate. But that’s not what we’re here to talk abouttoday.
Today, we’re telling the story of one of the Netziv’s top talmidim—a young man who, left Yeshiva to become a baal habayis.
You will hear about the Netzivs advice for staying shtark in the workforce, how this talmid followed that advice, and ameleve malka that turned wild.
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