Chazal say that when a person keeps away from Arayos, he becomes Kadosh; whereas stumbling in Arayos makes a person Tamei. The story is told about one of the biggest Gedolim of the last Dor who was able to sense if a person was truly holy, or if he had Tum'ah in his system, Rachmana Litzlan. (He would not shake the hand of such a person). (And there were very few people whose hand he would shake). This Adam Gadol was once told about a big artist whose pictures were very real. The artist drew a picture of Yetzias Mitzrayim, and the Gadol didn’t like the picture. He noticed that the noses of the Mitzri'im and the Jews were similar, and his father had told him that they are different.
Imagine! This Tzaddik never saw a Goy in his life! No wonder he was so sensitive to a person’s Kedusha level! Obviously, his parents, who were Tzaddikim Yesodei Olam had kept him away from all Tum'ah, and he was able to become a world-famous giant of giants, a Tzaddik Yesod Olam Mamash!
When us Americans hear this story, we get depressed, since we’ve seen loads and loads of Tum'ah throughout our lives. So why did R' Nosson Wachtfogel Zatzal say in the name of R' Elchonon Wassermann Zatzal that American Yeshiva Bachurim will bring Moshiach??
The name of this Adam Gadol has been omitted intentionally, in order not to undermine his greatness to the slightest; especially since I consider him my Rebbe in many ways. Yet, an American “Harry” has to realize that he actually has an edge over a Tzaddik like this. Perhaps we are on an even a greater Madrega, having experienced Goyishe Tum'ah from our youth. Regardless if your exposure was: בְשוֹגֵג אוֹ בְמֵזִיד, בְאוֹנֵס אוֹ בְרָּצוֹן deliberate or by mistake, willingly or against your will, it affects your Neshama, and it makes your struggles in Avodas Hashem more difficult. Such a person is used to certain Tum'ah, and he needs to struggle with it.
Surprise, surprise! It is very possible that this lowlife “Harry” has greater Zechusim than a: קָּדוֹש מֵרֶחֶם born Tzaddik, precisely because of his difficulties. לְפוּם צַּעֲרָּא אַּגְרָּא אבות ה כב The reward increases according to your effort is a simple truth that nobody believes. People respect only simple greatness and finished products, including Gedolei Yisroel. They give no value to the pain of having a strong Yetzer Hara.
