The Yiras Shomayim of the Rambam

The Tosher Rebbe and the Satmar Rebbe both used to tell this story, each on different occasions.

It is told that the Yismach Moshe once asked Heaven to grant him the yiras Shomayim of a Tanna. The request was refused, because he would not be able to bear such yiras Shomayim. He then asked for the yiras Shomayim of an Amora, or of one of the Geonim. Again he was refused, for the same reason: he would be unable to handle it.

Finally he asked for the level of yiras Shomayim of the Rambam, and this tefillah was answered. But the Yismach Moshe soon saw that he could not bear even this. He davened that it be taken away, and it was.