I met a Chashuva Rosh Yeshiva when I was in Bnei Brak. His father had learned in Novardok (we have spoken about him the last few weeks), and I asked him for some stories about him. He told me that in Bialystok there were two groups; the Mussarniks and the learners. The Menahel (R’ Nissin Rozanker Zatzal) once described 2 of his Talmidim. The Steipler, he called pure Torah. And R’ Gershon, he described as pure Mussar.
His father had been one of the Mussarniks, and he changed to become the Rosh of the learners. When he moved to Bnei Brak, he became an 8th grade Rebbe. His son asked him why he didn’t look for a much higher level, since he was a big Talmid Chochom and he was capable. He said that he felt that this is what he was good at, and he remained a Rebbe for 13-year-olds throughout his life. You see how Kavod meant nothing to this Yid.
Being Machmir in Inyanei Bitachon
The Talmidim loved him, and they followed him in the streets. He was busy testing them on the Shakla V’tarya (back and forth) of the Gemara. Even during recess, he was busy with this. He was not a Machmir in many areas of Halacha except when it came to Ikarim. This is why he insisted on spending his free time with his Talmidim. R’ Elya Rotnemer Zatzal once told me that the Velt can be involved in all kinds of Frumkeit and Chumros; but being Machmir in Inyanei Bitachon is rare to find.
Bitachon means true belief in Hashem, and without it you can Chas V'shalom be lacking in the most basic Yesod of being a Yid (and you’re not a Kofer, Chas V'shalom). This is one reason why Novardok put so much Kochos in Davka this area (besides the fact that living with Bitachon makes you calm and happy and healthy and successful).
The Power of a Bitachon Weekly Reader!
My friend, a BW reader received a telephone call a month and half ago, from a Chasidishe Kollel-Man from B.P. He has 8 children, and his youngest is 3 years old, but can’t talk or walk, Rachmana Litzlan. A listless child, and plenty of Yi'ush from the doctor’s point of view. My friend told him: “There is no Safek (doubt) that your child can become 100%. Keep your house super B'simcha etc. and have Bitachon!”
They learned R’ Shmuel Hominer Zatzal’s Sefer on Bitachon every day, and they kept saying נֶאֱמָן עָלַי הַשׁופֵט. Being M'kabel a difficult situation also helps bring Yeshuos. They said “Thank You” for every slight or big improvement; all recorded in a book, and repeated constantly. Today, Zos Chanukah, my friend gets a phone call that they had a major improvement. The child is standing and started talking and smiling and responding and understanding; a new person! This Yungerman had been saying plenty of Tehillim etc. for years, but nothing helped, until he called the BW reader who “opened up a new world” for him!