Nothing Feels Better Than Seeing Talmidim Surpass Me - Rav Netanel Wiederblank - Aseh Lecha Rav

https://vimeo.com/1206202911?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci General Overview Rabbi Netanel Wiederblank traces a lifelong journey through Silver Spring, Kerem B'Yavneh, Chevron, YU, and decades of Jewish education. He credits his rabbeim and communities with shaping his approach to Gemara, halacha, machshava, and teaching, emphasizing humility, curiosity, precision, and the joy of seeing תלמידים grow. His machshava books emerged from years of teaching, and his return to YU was motivated by the opportunity to work alongside close chaverim, support his rebeim, and help shape the next generation. Growing Up and Early Influences Growing up in Silver Spring, Rabbi Wiederblank was deeply influenced by Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz and a community of professionals who were also serious talmidei chachamim. At the Yeshiva of Greater Washington he enjoyed exceptional Rebbeim and developed steadily, describing no dramatic turning point—only gradual growth alongside a close chevra. In Kerem B'Yavneh, Rav Blachman taught him to question assumptions and admit when he did not understand, while Rav Stav demonstrated the breadth of Torah and mastery of Shas. Rav Aharon Lopiansky became an important mentor through countless conversations, and Rav Einemer instilled disciplined, careful reading of Gemara. During his year in Chevron, he absorbed Rav Dovid Cohen's atmosphere of learning and appreciated how many relationships with rabbeim developed because they reached out to him. Rav Schachter's insistence on knowing Kol HaTorah Kula left a lasting impression. Coming to YU Although he arrived at YU "kicking and screaming," expecting to dislike it, he quickly discovered outstanding Rebbeim and chaverim. He says YU students' willingness to pursue Torah despite competing demands gave their learning a unique sense of mesiras nefesh. Rav Mayer Twersky taught him precision in learning, while Rav Mordechai Willig—despite never formally being his rebbe—became his primary mentor through years of daily questions, shaping both his halachic thinking and personal outlook. Machshava and Teaching His interest in machshava grew from curiosity, Rav Lopiansky's influence, and students' questions about Olam Haba, Mashiach, free will, and Moreh Nevuchim. He approached these topics like a Gemara sugya: gathering sources, organizing them, and asking questions, eventually producing his published works. He believes every yeshiva bachur should develop a foundation in machshava through Chumash, Rashi, Ramban, and aggadeta. As a rebbe, he adapts his teaching to each audience and believes the best shiurim arise from authentic learning rather than scripted lectures. Lessons in Chinuch The greatest reward, he says, is watching תלמידים surpass him. He values students who challenge him correctly and credits Rav Twersky, Rav Willig, and other rabbeim for demonstrating how Torah shapes kind, humble, and thoughtful people. He fondly recalls Rabbi Charlap's return to YU after illness, when students greeted him with spontaneous dancing that embodied Kavod HaTorah. Books and Returning to YU Rabbi Wiederblank explains that his published and forthcoming machshava volumes address topics including Emunah, Olam Haba, Mashiach, free will, Torah she-ba'al peh, Ta'amei Hamitzvos, and Hashgacha Pratis. His next goal is an accessible volume for thoughtful high school students. After fourteen years at Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy and two years as principal at RPRY, he returned to YU to join the hanhala. He says the opportunity to work alongside his rebeim and chaverim while helping educate the next generation made returning impossible to resist, and counts Rav Willig's involvement in his family's simchos among the great zechuyos of his life. 0:01 Intro 2:01 Early Years in Woodside and Rabbi Breitowitz’s Influence 6:33 Formative Bond with Rav Aharon Lopiansky 8:29 Kerem B'Yavneh: Learning Under Rav Blachman and Rav Stav 12:27 Lessons from Rav Einemer and Other Mentors 17:14 Returning to YU: Challenges and Growth 20:19 Guidance from Rav Twersky and Rav Willig 23:33 Delving into Hashkafa and Machshava 25:04 Starting Olam Haba Lectures in Edmonton 27:14 Preparing Olam Haba Shiurim Like Gemara 28:41 Shift to Machshava at IBC and JSS 31:39 Adapting Teaching to Different Audiences 36:32 Guiding Principle and Motivation 39:11 Influence of Prominent Rabbis 40:28 Memorable Rabbi Charlap Greeting 42:080 Bechinas Moment of Student Mastery 43:24 Overview of Published Volumes 45:06 Planning a High School Machshava Volume 47:09 Returning to Yeshiva: Motivations 48:52 Developing Relationships with Rebeim 50:36 His Presence at Every Bris and Bar Mitzvah