I once had the Zechus to be at Rav Shimon Lelover ZY”A in Tzefas for Shabbos Parshas Yisro. It was a very “Derhoibiner Shabbos”. As it was very cold and he was recovering from a bad cold, a Minyon came from Yerusholayim, to be with the Rebbe. All the Tefillos, Seudos and Tishen took place in his apartment. We davened Mincha and Kabbolas Shabbos together with the Rebbe. Then the Bochurim and Yungerleit made Kiddush, washed for the Seudoh and ate together. After we finished our Seudoh the Rebbe came into the dining room, Sang Sholom Aleichem, made Kiddush, washed for the Seudoh and Fihred Tish. During the Tish he said Torah and conversed with his Chassidim and guests who came from Yerusholayim and respectively those who live in Tzefas. He said Torah, on Vayishmah Yisro, what did Yisro hear? He quoted Tzadikim ZY”A, that even after the wonders of Kriyas Yam Suf – the splitting of the Red Sea, Amalek was still able to wage war with Klall Yisroel. Therefore, one must not only hear, but he must also “Derher – internalize” the lessons being taught. He then asked me which Yeshivos I had learnt in then and before coming to Eretz Yisroel. When I mentioned Yeshiva of Staten Island, founded and led by Rav Moshe Feinstein ZY”A, he spoke of the greatness and Anievus [piety] of Rav Moshe. He spoke of his large Levaya [funeral] that took place on Purim in Yerusholayim, nevertheless attended by a large crowd unprecedent in recent previous history.
He then spoke of the Anievus of Rav Moshe, relating a story of Rav Akiva Eiger ZY”A, who once upon approaching a town was greeted by a large assemblage, questioned if his shoulders had grown high that so many people were looking at him.
The Great Rebbe of Kotzk ZY"A, once met a childhood friend in front of his great estate, as the Kotzker passed by in a simple wagon. The childhood friend exclaimed "Rebbe look at my Olam Hazeh” (present world)! The Kotzker replied, "That is not your Olom Hazeh, it is your Olom Habboh” (World to come), As he is eating the rewards of any Mitzvos he may have done in this world.
Once a man came to Reb Meir Pramishlan ZY''A, and commented to him that he has anxiety and fear. Reb Meir answered him that he should see to it to check the Mezuzos. Afterwards they saw that one Sheim (name of Hashem) was erased. We can see the Holiness and greatness of this great Tzaddik.
Sefer Siach Sarfei Kodesh
