When it started to become known that the Chofetz Chaim was a great Tzadik, people came from all over to see him and get a brachah from him. He commented, “How is it possible that in the place where Hashem, the King, can be found, and is available for every person to speak with Him, that people would instead come and seek out the brachos of His servant? Hashem is here for everyone, and He is readily available to hear everyone’s tefilos and requests. Why do people turn to someone like me instead of turning directly to Hashem? I certainly cannot help people on my own. Everyone should just simply turn directly to Hashem themselves!”
The Chofetz Chaim once visited a community, and he was greeted by a large throng of people. Everyone was waiting to speak with him, to ask him to daven for them and their families, and to get a brachah.
He looked at the people and said, “No father is pleased when one son sends his request to him through another son. The father wants that child to turn directly to him without anyone in the middle. We are all children of Hashem. Each and every one of us should turn directly to Him. If someone feels that because of his aveiros, that Hashem is angry with him, Chas V’Shalom! He should never think this way! I assure you that Hashem waits and desires your tefilos. He will forgive you as soon as you turn to Him. This is exactly what a father wants!”
Reprinted from the Parshas Shemos 5784 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg’s Torah U’Tefilah.
