The following story is told about the Rambam.
Once while visiting a sick talmid, the Rambam realized that talmid would soon pass away.
“Listen to me, my son,” he said.“You will soon depart from this world and enter the true world. Fear not, for you have lived a righteous life. Your soul will depart from here and will attempt to enter into the heavenly sphere where Hashem dwells. But the melachim will not permit you to enter. They will block your path. Therefore, I will prepare an amulet that will open all the doors for you.
“I am going to give you some questions to ask when you reach the Kisei HaKavod. Then I want you to come to me in a dream and give me the answers. Swear to me that you will fulfill my request.”
The talmid swore and a few days later was niftar.
A week later he came to the Rambam in a dream. “Where are you now?” he asked.
“I am now in Gan Eden,” the talmid answered.
“Did you do as I told you?” Rambam asked.
“You should know, my honored teacher,” answered the talmid, “I did everything you told me. Wherever I showed your amulet, the doors opened before me until I came before Hakadosh Baruch Hu. But when I wanted to ask Him your questions, I suddenly saw that I had no questions to ask. For everything here is emes, and all the ways of Hashem are true and righteous.
“All doubt dissolved from my mind and I saw that everything was being done for our good. I departed in shame for even having thought otherwise. You mortal men, who reside in a false world, have many doubts, for you dwell amongst treachery and lies. But when you will come to this world of truth, you too, honored master, will see the wisdom and righteousness of our Creator.”
Saved Her From A Scolding
Once, the pious Rav Avigdor Halberstam was invited to the home of a prominent member of his community for Shabbos. This ba’al habayis had a custom. He would give the guest of honor the pot of soup to distribute to the other members of the family. This way the guest was made to feel as if he was the host.
When the pot was presented to the rav, he tasted the soup. He continued tasting the soup until he drank the entire pot. The host and the members of his family were amazed at the rav’s behavior, but because he was such a great person they kept quiet.
After the meal, one of the rav’s students asked him why he drank the entire pot of soup.
“I’ll tell you the truth,” answered the rav. “When I first tasted the soup, I immediately surmised that the maid who prepared the soup had accidentally put in pepper instead of salt. The soup was spoiled and I realized that she would be criticized terribly for this accident, especially since I was the guest of honor at the house. I happen to know that the she is a poor orphan girl. So rather than cause her any anguish, I drank the bitter soup. Better that they consider me an eccentric than I should cause the maid any anguish.”
He Felt The Bitter Cold
The story is told about Rav Chaim Auerbach of Lonchitz, who one night received a cobbler at his home. It was a bitter cold night, in the middle of winter. The cobbler’s teeth were chattering as he told the rav that his wife had just given birth and there was no firewood for his hearth.