SMALL BUT PURE WINS THE RACE
Excerpted from the writings of my dear brother in-law, Rav Michoel Bodenheimer zt’l
There is a famous story which was told by Rav Shimon Schwab zt’l about his encounter with the great Chofetz Chaim. The Chofetz Chaim, who was a Kohein, asked Rav Schwab if he was a Kohein or Levi, to which Rav Schwab answered that he was neither. The Chofetz Chaim proceeded to tell him why he and his ancestors were Koheinim and were chosen to serve in the Beis HaMikdosh and why Rav Schwab and his ancestors were not chosen. ”Moshe solicited the nation calling ‘All who are for HaShem come to me’ it was my grandfather who responded and not yours. The response to Moshe Rabbeinu’s call for action separated those who were to serve in the Beis HaMikdosh and those who would not serve.”