Novardok’s specialty was in balancing Middos. R' Gershon was an unusually happy and jovial person. You would think that he doesn’t have a serious bone in his body. Yet, it is known how he constantly gave his life away for Hashem, especially during the Holocaust when he gave his bread away for others, and constantly risked getting tortured in order not to work on Shabbos, or some other Mitzva. This is the power of Chovos Halvavos and Madregas HaAdam with thousands of Chazaros (repetitions).
When I would say good-bye to R' Gershon Zatzal on my way back to America, he would joke: “Give my regards to President Bush”. He once fell down, and being quite old and heavy, he couldn’t get up. He was holding his head in pain, and he was surrounded by his Talmidim who were concerned about him. Despite his situation, he yelled up to me: “In America, do people also fall??” He was one piece of humor, in all circumstances.
Your “Holy” Kavod
When R' Gershon was in Lakewood and hundreds of people came to see him, someone mentioned that maybe he would like to eat. “Of course, I would like to eat!” was his response. People in the public eye are embarrassed that others should see them eating. They think they need to be Malachim, or else their “holy” Kavod is in danger. I once sat together with R' Wainkrantz Zatzal at a Chasuna, and when he finished his portion, he asked for a double.
I have no doubt he did this in front of me for a “Prat”. He also made sure I should also eat, even though I wasn’t invited to this Chasuna. Novardokers know how to “chill” and relax and enjoy life. I was told that Madregas HaAdam was written in order to show people how to enjoy Olam HaZeh! If you don’t need Kavod and you have Bitachon and Li'shmah, you really enjoy life.
R' Gershon Liebman (second from right) with his trademark smile
