It was a number of years ago, seven years ago to be exact, that Israeli President Shimon Peres paid a visit to the Wolf-Holtzer sukkah in Yerushalayim, where he revealed what he believed was the secret to his longevity.

“I got to meet the Chofetz Chaim,” related the then 86-year-old Peres, “and he blessed me that I’ll go on to greatness and live long.”

Peres reminisced about his childhood and spoke about his growing up in Poland, where his grandfather served as a chazzan during the Yomim Noraim.

From time to time, Peres mentioned the precious brachah that he received from the Chofetz Chaim. It meant a lot to him.

Interestingly, as Matzav previously reported, Peres’ grandfather, Rav Tzvi Meltzer, was a grandson of Rav Chaim Volozhiner. Rav Meltzer had a great impact on Peres’ life, as Peres grew up as a child in his grandfather’s home. His grandfather taught him Gemara, which wasn’t simple, since Peres’ own parents were not observant.

Peres once heard his parents listening to the radio on Shabbos and smashed it in protest.

{Matzav.com Israel News Bureau}