Torah leaders are fundamentally people with the same drives and emotions as the common man. They just exert greater control over what might sway them away from the Torah way. They live as we do. They love their children and are willing to sacrifice for them, just as we are. Their extraordinary control — born of a deep, abiding love for Hashem and His Torah — impels them to a higher plane. When Horav Meshullam David Soloveitchik, zl, married, it was an incredibly joyous affair, but also physically demanding. Therefore, after the chuppah, the Brisker Rav, zl, father of the chassan, groom, took a break and went to a room that had been reserved for him to rest. When he entered the room, he noticed that his other sons, together with Horav Moshe Shmuel Shapiro, zl, a cousin, were already in the room.
The Brisker Rav was not one to waste his time, even if it meant sacrificing rest. He could not rest while doing other things. On the table was a stack of letters comprising best wishes to the Rav upon the occasion of his son’s wedding. When he read the letter composed by his cousin, Horav Aryeh Shapiro, zl, his eyes lit up, and his face broke out in a smile.
He said, “My cousin knows how to give a blessing” (meaning knowing what blessing to confer upon others). He makes sure to bless me in those areas which everyone else assumes have little meaning to me. He wished me good health, easy livelihood, nachas from my children and much joy. Others bless me to live to see the rebuilding of the Bais HaMikdash and to greet Moshiach Tzidkeinu. They think that the Brisker Rav does not require nachas, has no need for good health, etc. My cousin understands that, regardless of a person’s spiritual distinction, he still needs a solid family which adheres to strong principles, and he can even use material bounty.” While it is true that the tzadik lives on a higher spiritual plane, he is also human and requires blessing, just as we all do.
