Menachem eagerly anticipated his first Pesach in his father-in-law's home. The thought of spending Yom Tov in such a distinguished Torah environment filled him with excitement. The home of Rav Turin was known for its warmth, depth of Torah, and unwavering commitment to mesorah.

Erev Pesach arrived, and as the house bustled with final preparations, Rav Turin called Menachem aside.

"Although the maror, the lettuce, has already been checked as stated on the package, do you mind looking it over once more to ensure it was truly cleaned?"

Menachem, eager to assist and fulfill his father-in-law's request, sat down to carefully examine the leaves. With Yom Tov quickly approaching, he gave the maror a decent check. To his eye, everything looked fine. Confident in his efforts, he set it aside, ready for the Seder.

That evening, as the Seder began, the atmosphere was extraordinary. The table was beautifully set, divrei Torah flowed effortlessly, and the family sang with deep feeling as they moved through the Haggadah. Unfamiliar with all of the family's minhagim, Menachem simply followed along, relishing the uplifting experience.

Then came the mitzvah of maror. Plates of lettuce were distributed, and Menachem took a deep breath as he watched his father-in-law make the bracha. As the family took their first bites, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Stop eating! I may have found a worm!"

Time seemed to freeze. Menachem’s heart dropped, and his face drained of color. The most humiliating moment of his life had just unfolded before his eyes. He had been entrusted with checking the maror, and now, on this most sacred night, an insect had possibly been found. He had failed his new family. He had failed his revered father-in-law.

But before the weight of embarrassment could fully settle in, Rav Turin, without a moment’s pause, simply said, "One worm isn’t a reyusa."

His words carried profound meaning: if only a single issue is found, it does not cast doubt on the entire batch. Without hesitation, Rav Turin continued eating, his tranquil demeanor unchanged. No further mention was made of the incident, and the Seder carried on, as glorious and uplifting as it had begun.

More than three decades have passed since that night, and Menachem—now Rabbi Chaifetz, an esteemed mechanech—often reflects on the lesson he learned that evening. Life presents challenges, and mistakes happen. But rather than fixating on a single flaw, one must look at the whole picture. A single imperfection does not define the entire experience.

That Pesach, in the warmth of the Turin home, Menachem absorbed a lesson in leadership, perspective, and kindness—one that continues to guide him in his avodas hakodesh to this very day.

This remarkable story reminded me of another timeless account:

A group of bachurim from Rav Yitzchok Hutner zt”l’s yeshiva were conducting their Seder when one of them, while pouring the second cup of wine, accidentally spilled some on the Rosh Yeshiva’s white kittel. The boy was stunned at his carelessness. His face turned red, and he was terrified, knowing his rebbi would make a comment. But what would he say?

Without hesitating, Rav Hutner offered something unforgettable. He said (in Yiddish), “A kittel without a wine stain is like a Yom Kippur machzor without tears.”

Rav Hutner saved the night. He elevated a moment that could have been so embarrassing. Everyone felt energized. Greatness had been displayed. The great teacher had defined a moment in his inimitable way. Now, decades later, we are still talking about it.

Both Rav Turin and Rav Hutner exemplified what true gadlus is. They did not dwell on imperfection or assign blame. Instead, they lifted those around them, transforming what could have been moments of shame into powerful lessons of resilience and perspective. Their approach to life and to people continues to inspire, reminding us that a single mistake does not define an experience, and a true leader builds others up, even in moments of difficulty.

Rabbi Moshe Dov Heber is a rebbe at Yeshiva K'tana of Waterbury and a division head in  Camp Romimu. He is a writer and public speaker, focusing on topics related to inspiration and education. Rabbi Heber could be reached via email mdheber@ykwaterbury.org