A man once entered the Mir Yeshiva in Poland, seeking a new son-in-law for his daughter. He asked the mashgiach, R’ Yerucham Levovitz, who the best boy was.
The mashgiach replied: “Who do you want? This boy is like Reb. Akiva Eiger, this one is a R’ Yitzchok Elchanan, and the next is R’ Paysach Pruskin. Which do you want as a son-in-law?”
At the time, these weren’t necessarily top boys of the yeshiva, yet R’ Yerucham gave each talmid the feeling that he’s going to be the next gadol, empowering and infusing each of them with courage of greatness. Many of these bachurim grew to be great leaders in the past generation.
More than what R’ Yerucham said was the inner chashivus, respect, that he gave to them. Empowering them with the capabilities gives a person the courage to bring forth their great potential.
