ולבן שיניים מחלב (ויחי מט:יב)

The Gemara teaches (כתובות קיא) that: “גדול המלבין שיניים יותר ממשקהו חלב”—one who greets his fellow with a warm smile and brings him joy is greater than one who gives him milk to drink.

On one occasion, the Chazon Ish zt״l hosted prominent Rabbanim in Eretz Yisroel for an urgent meeting concerning the grave decree of Giyus Banos—the forced conscription of religious Jewish women into the Israeli army, a matter that posed serious spiritual danger. They were deeply engaged in discussing how the decree might be annulled, when suddenly a talmid chacham entered, burdened by severe personal hardship and visibly broken—hungering for a kind word and a smile.

At that moment, the Chazon Ish rose, left the meeting he was hosting and the assembled Rabbanim, and turned his full attention to the talmid chacham, as if no other concern existed. He devoted himself to lifting the man’s spirit and bringing a smile to his face—a living embodiment of Chazal’s teaching.