Rav Meir Stern from Bnei Brak relayed a great story that he once heard from a photographer, who told him the following:
“I was offered a side job where I would have made an additional 10,000 Shekels. I was very tempted to take it, and the extra income would have really helped me, but after I learned that it would have required me to compromise on Kedushah by being around people who were not appropriately dressed, I declined to take the job.
“A few days later, I was the photographer at a Chasunah, when I saw Rav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l, who was one of the guests. I was so surprised when Rav Chaim called me over! I was sure he couldn’t be motioning to me, but when I looked at his face, it was clear that he really meant to call me over, and I hesitantly went over to him.
Rav Chaim said, ‘I envy you!’
“He was sitting, and when I leaned over to hear what he wanted to tell me, I nearly fell over. Rav Chaim again said, ‘I envy you!’
“I asked him, ‘What could the Rav be jealous of in me?’ Rav Chaim said, ‘All the people here don’t know, but I know. I know the great challenge you recently withstood. That is why I’m jealous of you.’
Rav Chaim Himself was Saying How He Envies My Fortitude!
I understood what he was referring to. It was the previous challenge of Parnasah that I had faced and withstood, when I turned down the job. I couldn’t believe it! The Gadol HaDor, Rav Chaim himself, was saying how he envies my fortitude!”
Rav Meir Stern said, “This man overcame his personal challenge, and Rav Chaim envied and admired his achievement. We see the great value and significance in overcoming a personal challenge, that even Rav Chaim was envious of this man’s victory!
Reprinted from the Parshas Behar 5784 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg’s Torah U’Tefilah.
