ולא עשו כאשר דבר אליהן מלך מצרים ותחיין את הילדים (שמות א:יז)

One of the Chofetz Chaim’s zt’’l talmidim was asked to serve as a Rav in one of the Lithuanian cities. The Talmid was a great Yiras Shamayim and feared accepting the Rabbinical position, for he feared that he might give a verdict that was against the Torah.  When the heads of the Kehilla – community begged him to accept, the talmid traveled to Radin to consult with the Chofetz Chaim.

The talmid presented his argument to him, and the Chofetz Chaim responded. “In Parshas Shemos, it says that Pharaoh decreed upon the midwives to kill all newly born Yiddish boys. But the midwives feared Hashem and didn’t listen to Pharaoh. In essence, why didn’t the midwives resign from their position after Pharaoh’s decree – so they wouldn’t have to obey Pharaoh?”

“What then did they do?” continued the Chofetz Chaim. “The Yiddish midwives thought to themselves that if they resigned from their position, then Pharaoh would hire non-Jewish midwives who would kill those boys.  Therefore, they continued their task with Mesiras Nefesh (great sacrifice) and defied Paroh’s decree.”

Concluded the Chofetz Chaim. “The same is with you.  Who knows what kind of Rav will take over your position if you won’t accept the rabbinical position?”