A Simple Jew
The holy Rizhiner made every effort to attach himself to all of Klal Yisroel, even to the simplest people and even to sinners, so that he could benefit them and lift them to serve Hashem.
Once the Rizhiner came to a town, and the crowd of people who wanted his advice and blessing, or only a glimpse of the tzaddik, grew so large that there was no room for them all in the shul. The heads of the congregation decided not to admit any simple Jews, but only the important and honored citizens. When the Rizhiner heard this, he turned to them. “Is that so? You won't let simple Jews in? Then you should know that I am a simple Jew. My father was a simple Jew, and my grandfather was a simple Jew.” With that, he too refused to enter the shul.
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