When the Bachurim Explained R’ Chaim’s Derech to R’ Chaim
A group of bachurim dismissed an older traveler’s straightforward explanation of a sugya, telling him about the new derech of the great R’ Chaim Soloveitchik. Only upon reaching their destination did they discover who had been traveling beside them.
Rav Dovid Soloveitchik related that R’ Chaim Soloveitchik was once traveling by wagon to another town. Several bachurim were traveling with him, but they did not know who their fellow passenger was.
Along the way, the bachurim began discussing a sugya. They offered various explanations, each one more elaborate and ingenious than the last.
R’ Chaim listened to their discussion and asked why they could not explain the matter more simply.
The bachurim were not impressed by his suggestion. They told him that he was evidently accustomed to the older style of learning. A new derech had now entered the Torah world, they explained—the derech of the great R’ Chaim Soloveitchik—and a sugya had to be approached with greater depth and sophistication.
The wagon continued on its way.
When they reached the town, a large group had gathered to welcome the arriving guest. Only then did the bachurim discover that the older traveler whose simple explanation they had dismissed was R’ Chaim Soloveitchik himself.
They had attempted to explain the derech of R’ Chaim—to R’ Chaim.