Rav Nosson Meir Wachtfogel, zt”l, the Mashgiach of Bais Medrash Govoha, once visited Eretz Yisroel. The trip was particularly strenuous at his advanced age, especially since many people wished to meet with him and ask him for a Brachah.
One day, Rav Nosson Meir went to Daven at the Kosel. After he had finished Davening, he turned around to see a long line of people waiting to talk to him!
Rav Nosson Meir patiently spoke with each person, listening to their requests and offering his Brachos. Later that evening, Rav Nosson Meir reviewed the day’s events. He said, “Who am I, and what am I, that people should come to me for Brachos?” the Mashgiach humbly exclaimed to his Talmid. “I want to clearly acknowledge the truth about myself. I carry a heavy burden on my shoulders for all the precious time that I’ve taken away from learning Torah. Moshiach will soon come, and everyone will find out who I really am. I will be so ashamed!”
The next day, the Mashgiach called someone who was having trouble with his personal relationships. This man had a very strong character, and his dominating personality was causing much strife.
Rav Nosson Meir told him, “Yesterday, I went to the Kosel to Daven. When I finished, I turned around to see a huge line of people waiting. Do you know who they waiting for? They were waiting for me. They wanted a Brachah from me. Why did they want to come to me for a Brachah and not someone else?
“Why don’t they go to you for a Brachah? Do you know why they were waiting for my Brachah and not for yours? It is because for my whole life, I have worked on being humble to others. Please,” Rav Nosson Meir gently encouraged him, “please treat others with respect. Treat people respectfully, and be humble. Then they will also come to you for Brachos!”
Reprinted from the Parshas Bereishis 5784 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg’s Torah U’Tefilah.
