The Chofetz Chaim zt'l asked Reb Shimon Schwab zt'l whether he was a kohen. Reb Schwab answered that he wasn’t.
"Are you a Levi?"
Reb Schwab said that he wasn't a Levi. "I am a Yisrael," he said.
"It is a great pity on you," the Chofetz Chaim said. "When the Beis HaMikdash will be built speedily in our days, you won't be able to perform the avodah in the Beis HaMikdash. There are also areas in the Beis HaMikdash where you won't be able to go. Do you know why you aren't a kohen? It is because your father isn't a kohen. And your father isn't a kohen because his father and his father weren't kohanim. I am a kohen because my father and grandparents were kohanim. But do you know how it all began? It goes back to the time after the Yidden made the egel and Moshe announced (Shemos 32:26) אלי 'לה מי, 'Whoever is for Hashem, let him come to me!' At that time, my ancestor stepped forward and joined with Moshe. In this merit, his descendants have been sanctified for all generations to this day. But your ancestor remained standing at the side; he didn't come forward and thereby squandered that great opportunity."
Then the Chofetz Chaim explained to Reb Shimon Schwab the reason he was telling him all of this: "Whenever you hear a cry of אלי 'לה מי, wanting to do something for Hashem's honor, step forward. Run and be a part of it, because the benefits can be felt for all generations."
There is a remarkable story about Reb Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt'l, the Rosh Yeshiva of Mir, Yerushalayim. For many years, he suffered from Parkinson's disease, r'l, but his yesurim didn't prevent him from accomplishing great deeds for Klal Yisrael. With mesirus nefesh, he traveled around the world raising money for the yeshiva, which was one of the largest yeshivos in the world. With mesirus nefesh, he would give shiurim to the bachurim of the yeshiva. One day, he came to the yeshiva to give a shiur klali, but the yesurim of Parkinson's were overwhelming and he couldn't say a word. He tried with all his might but only succeeded in saying half-words. After trying some more, he realized that he had to accept the fact that he wouldn’t succeed this time. He asked that they bring him a pen and paper. He wrote נסיתי, "I tried." His students said that although he didn't deliver his wonderful shiur klali that day, the one word he wrote taught them an important lesson that they would never forget. A person has to struggle, try and attempt with all his strength, and then he can say נסיתי, "I tried."
Regarding our topic, a person should try to do something for Hashem's honor. Hashem will grant him siyata dishmaya, and he will accomplish great things. Even if he fails, he will at least be able to say, "I tried," and that is also an impressive accomplishment.
