Rabbi Meir Simcha Hacohen, the rav of the Latvian city of Dvinsk in the last century, and the author of the “Ohr Somayach” (for whom Yeshivat Ohr Somayach is named), was famous for the brilliance and sensitivity that made him such an outstanding judge and arbitrator.

Two men once came before him to resolve a dispute between them over ownership of a certain property. When his efforts for reaching a compromise failed, the rav told the litigants that they must join him in a visit to the disputed land.

He there placed his ear to the ground and then turned to the two claimants to inform them as to what he heard the land say:

“Each of these men says I belong to him but the truth is that both of them will belong to me.”

This shocking reminder of mortality moved the two to reach the compromise suggested by the rav.
(source: The Ohr Somayach torah Magazine On The Internet • Ohrnet – www.OHR.Edu, Shabbat Parshat Nitzavim • 28 Elul 5772 – Sep. 15, 2012 • vOl. 19 NO. 48)

“Why is there no dome atop your synagogue as there are on the synagogues in my empire?”

This was the question put to his Jewish escorts back in 1870 by Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austro-Hungary during a visit to Jerusalem. This European ruler, respected for his benevolent policy towards his Jewish subjects, was being shown the yet unfinished Nissan Beck Synagogue by some of those subjects now living in Jerusalem.

“Your highness,” one of them diplomatically explained, “even the synagogue wishes to pay tribute to you by removing its hat!”
(source: The Ohr Somayach torah Magazine On The Internet • Ohrnet – www.OHR.Edu, Shabbat Parshat Nitzavim • 28 Elul 5772 – Sep. 15, 2012 • vOl. 19 NO. 48)

I’m the grandmother. And if I happen to have an opinion, I’ll keep it to myself.
(source: Rose Fiedler in “Keeping Up with the Steins”)