נביא מקרבך מאחיך כמוני יקים ה’ אלקיך אליו תשמעון… (שופטים יח:טו)

Maran the Sar Shalom of Belz zt’’l translated this pasuk: Moshe Rabbeinu told the Yidden that Hashem will give them a Navi נביא מקרבך מאחיך כמוני – one of your own brothers, and it continues אליו תשמעון – it is not a commandment, just Hashem promises the Yidden that a tzaddik will rise in each generation to which the Yidden will listen to.

When the Tarnipoler Rav, Hagaon Reb Dovid Menachem Manish Babad zt”l, came to pay his respects to Maran Reb Yissachar Dov of Belz zt”l, Maran rose before him with great reverence.

The esteem was rooted in an incident that took place years earlier. When the Tarnipoler Rav first came to Belz as a young yungerman to hear Maran Reb Yehoshua of Belz zt”l daven, one of the elderly chassidim of the Sar Shalom noticed how profoundly moved he was. Overcome with awe and holy enthusiasm as he listened to Reb Yehoshua’s tefillah, the young Rav stood completely captivated.

The elderly chassid then shared a story:

“Once, when the Sar Shalom began reciting Birchos HaShachar, Reb Shalom Kaminker zt”l became so overwhelmed with awe and reverence that his entire body trembled. As the Sar Shalom continued reciting the brachos, Reb Shalom cried out, ‘Oy! Oy!’ clutching his head with both hands in an overpowering fear of Heaven.”

The old chassid’s intent was to ask the Tarnipoler Rav what he perceived in Reb Yehoshua’s davening that had stirred him so deeply.

The Tarnipoler Rav responded, “Were you present when this happened with the Kominker Rav?”

“Yes,” replied the elderly Yid. “I witnessed it with my own eyes.”

The Gaon then asked, “And did you also become so shaken?”

“No,” answered the chassid. “Am I the Kominker Rav?”

“If so,” the Tarnipoler Rav replied, “if the Kominker Rav were here today, he too would be just as shaken as he was then.”