When R’ Galinsky Zatzal was in Lakewood, I was schmoozing with him in the home of a very Chashuva Yungerman. It had been during the Yom Kippur War, and R’ Galinsky mentioned that he had been called to speak for the troops who were stationed at the front lines. They were quite depressed, and R’ Galinsky did a great job cheering them. He was in a dangerous area, and I believe he was flown there by helicopter.
Someone asked him why he wasn’t afraid. He said: “How can I be afraid? Hashem is everywhere!” I was told that R’ Galinsky was sent on a secret mission by a Gadol HaDor. He had to go to an extremely hostile Arab country, and give a message to someone. He did this twice, and he wasn’t wearing any disguises!
I heard the same type of story about R’ Gershon Zatzal. He was sent by a Gadol HaDor through Nazi controlled territory in order to rescue this person’s Rebbetzin. They say that she was afraid to go with him, and he came back empty-handed. When he was asked if he could make a second attempt, he said that he couldn’t. Even the greatest Baalei Bitachon know their limitations.
