Torah 236 · תורה רל״ו

Someone who serves as a rabbi properly and sincerely, thereby merits attaining prominence towards the end of his life. Whatever is considered greatness in that generation is the greatness to which he rises. For example, in this generation, in which the main prominence and honor are to be considered a famous tzaddik, he merits at the end of his life being accepted as a well-known personage. Even though this is really not the case—he is in fact just an ordinary, kosher Jew—they give him his reward before he leaves the world. And afterwards….