Adapted from: Moments of Greatness by Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger

It is very easy, R’ Moshe Eliezer Rabinowitz would remark, to delegate jobs, making sure that everyone else is put to work. True greatness, he said, is when the “delegator” is the one working the hardest to see a task through. Yes, a person may ask for help, because one cannot do everything on his own. A human being is, after all, limited in his own capabilities. However, he must not be lazy. He must do his utmost, asking others to join only because it will increase the overall accomplishment.

R’ Rabinowitz shared the following touching story.

R’ David Twersky, the Skverer Rebbe of Boro Park, was an exceptional baal chessed. In particular, he helped many Yidden in the medical field, bringing them to the highest quality doctors, and seeing to it that patients were cared for in the best manner possible.

In one instance, a Jewish patient required surgery during the time of the secular New Year holiday. The Rebbe contacted a top-notch surgeon and asked him to perform the surgery.

“I understand that this is your vacation and that it is difficult for you,” the Rebbe told him, “but there is a life in danger. Please, you must help this person.”

The surgeon was moved by the Rebbe’s plea and agreed to perform the surgery. The surgery was scheduled to begin at night and was to take six hours.

As the surgeon was about to enter the operating room, the Rebbe was there to wish him success. The Rebbe then sat down and began saying Tehillim along with the family members, remaining there throughout the night. In fact, he was there even as the surgeon emerged from the operating room many hours later.

“Rabbi,” the surgeon exclaimed in surprise, “you didn’t tell me that this was your family member!”

The Rebbe shook his head. “No,” he said, “he is not a family member.”

“Then why were you sitting here praying through the night?” asked the doctor.

The Rebbe explained, “I was not going to call you to come here and spend the night doing surgery while I am sleeping at home in bed. If you are spending the night here, so am I! True, I cannot perform the actual surgery, but I can still be here with you, praying for your success!”