Rabbi Nosson Zvi Finkel, known as “the Alter from Slabodka,” was an uncommonly humble person. Although he single-handedly created the Slabodka Yeshiva, ran it for half a century, and educated thousands of students therein, he resisted any signs of power or honor. In fact, he never attached his name nor any title to any of the numerous communications that were sent out from the yeshiva, preferring to lead via anonymity.
A classic story detailing his humility, and his caring for others occurred one afternoon in the Slabodka Yeshiva. The Alter walked into the Beis Medrash right before Mincha, and uncharacteristically strode directly to the amud and began davening as the shaliach tzibbur (chazan). To the wonder of all, he stumbled over the words of Kaddish, as if he was unfamiliar with the correct pronunciations.
Afterwards, his disciples uncovered the truth behind his unusual behavior. A local businessman had become an avel, mourner, yet was embarrassed to be a shaliach tzibbur because he had difficulty pronouncing some Hebrew words. The Alter wished to mollify this man and lessen his embarrassment. He made the man believe that the Alter was like him; that even the Alter sometimes had “difficulty” pronouncing certain words.