I heard of the Rebbe, Rav Yankele of Pshevorsk–Antwerp, zt”l, that when he was appointed as Rav and leader of the community after the passing of his holy father-in-law, Rav Itzikel, zt”l, it was the night of Rosh Chodesh. After concluding Maariv, he approached the bimah, knocked on it, and announced:
“The new Rav forgot to say Yaaleh Veyavo in the Shemoneh Esrei! Whoever knows the halachah and how I should proceed, please come forward and teach me devar Hashem—the halachah.”
He was renowned for his great humility. During his father-in-law’s lifetime, he conducted himself with utmost lowliness, serving as the gabbai and shamash of the shul. Due to his profound humility, he continued in this role even after being appointed as rav.
Possibly, his holy intention was also to demonstrate and teach that even a great rav and leader in Yisrael can make mistakes and must consult on matters of halachah—and that there is no shame in asking for guidance in daas Torah.
