The following story was told by Rav Avraham Hillel Goldberg z”l, a prominent student of the holy Chofetz Chaim, HaRav Yisrael Meir Kagan zt”l, and later Rav of Kfar Pines in Israel. He recorded the episode, which he was privileged to witness:

The following story was related by the rabbi of a large and prominent congregation. He remarked that one does not realize the power of one’s words and its effect on others, and often even a small and innocent comment can generate shockwaves and repercussions that last for days, months – even generations to come.

Avraham Eidelman grew up and lived his entire life in the city of Brisk. He earned a special connection with the Rav of Brisk, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt”l (the Beis HaLevi), and years later, the Rav’s family related that there were only two baalebatim whom the Rav trusted implicitly, one of them being Avraham Eidelman. The two families grew very close.

The Rebbe of Rimanov, Rav Tzvi Hirsch HaKohen zt”l, was not born into an illustrious lineage, nor was he a child prodigy. He was born into a simple family and was orphaned at a very young age. He was taken in by a local tailor, who tried to teach him a trade, but Rav Tzvi Hirsch had a lofty soul and was handpicked by Rav Menachem Mendel Rimanover zt”l to succeed him as the Rebbe of Rimanov. Many people flocked to Rav Tzvi Hirsch for his wise and sage advice.

Ariel “Arik” Sharon was a famous Israeli statesman, former Prime Minister and retired Major General who served in the IDF for more than 25 years. In mid-December 2005, Prime Minister Sharon spent two days in a hospital after suffering a minor stroke, which doctors said caused no irreparable brain damage.