In a special and rare event this week, Rav Moshe Sternbuch personally fulfilled the mitzvah of Reishis HaGez—the Torah obligation to give the first shearing of wool from one’s sheep to a kohein.
The wool was given to the mekubal Rav Gamliel HaKohen Rabinowitz, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Shaar HaShamayim.
The event was held at Rav Sternbuch’s home.
Rav Rabinowitz addressed those gathered, saying: “We are now in the presence of the gadol ha’dor, the leading posek of our generation. This is an extraordinary merit, and for me personally, it is an especially moving moment. The connection between our families dates back to my father, the author of Maadanei HaShulchan, who was close to the posek ha’dor, shlita.”
He continued: “I believe that this gathering is a powerful tikkun for the sin of Rabi Akiva’s talmidim, who did not show proper respect for one another. By sitting here and accepting the authority of Maran shlita with honor and reverence for Torah, we are rectifying that failure. It is especially appropriate now, as Klal Yisroel is in need of great rachamim.”
“May Hashem bless Maran shlita with long life and many more productive years. We refuse to let go of him, for he is a guiding light for all of Klal Yisroel, one who touches the neshamos of our holy people.”
The ceremony was conducted as part of Rav Sternbuch’s effort to perform the mitzvah of tzitzis with all possible stringencies. Among them was ensuring that the wool used for the tzitzis be sheared l’shem mitzvas tzitzis and that the mitzvah of Reishis HaGez be fulfilled first, in line with the teaching of Chazal: “Since one mitzvah was performed with it, perform another mitzvah with it.”
The crowd consisted primarily of Rav Sternbuch’s close talmidim from his kollel, Teshuvos V’Hanhagos, from both the Yerushalayim and Beit Shemesh branches. They heard a stirring mussar shmuess from the posek encouraging greater dedication to Torah and yiras Shamayim.
Following the words of inspiration, Rav Sternbuch personally handed over the wool from five sheep to Rav Rabinowitz, declaring that he be zocheh in it. The assembled erupted in heartfelt singing of “La’asos nachas ruach l’Borei yisbarach shemo.”
As the event concluded, the room again filled with spirited song—“Ki orech yamim v’shanos chayim yosifu lach”—a heartfelt tefillah for the continued health and strength of Rav Sternbuch.

{Matzav.com Israel}