Every human screams day and night: “Please respect me! Consider me important. Don’t belittle me in your mind.” They may not vocalize these words, but secretly and even subconsciously this is the #1 of their entire existence. Men and woman, old and young, always crave Kavod.
Some are loud types, and some are more reserved. Some are even smart enough to act as if they don’t need recognition. But they are all the same. “Even if I’m not so perfect, or capable, frum, or Geshmak; nevertheless, still try to love me and understand me!” The reason for so much Tzaros, wars, and disease; is because people don’t Chap the importance of Kavod HaB’riyos.
The Talmidei Rabbi Akiva were all Niftar because they did not give the proper Kavod to each other. In Novardok and in Slabodka, all they talked about these days was Ayin Tova! “Please see my good side! I beg you! Have Rachmanus!” Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and Eliyahu HaNavi overcame their critical side [although their criticism was totally L'shem Shamayim] and they became our greatest. The more we try to copy them, the greater we become.
And on that long list of people that you need to daven that Hashem should help you respect with your whole heart, don’t forget to include yourself. Hashem purposely makes certain people in your life appear weird, arrogant, or very different than you; like Chassidim and Misnagedim, to test you! [And give you Schar].
