How Badly Do You Want It?

The Chafetz Chaim tells over his eye witness account of what happened when the leaders of Brisk came to Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik to ask him to be the Rabbi of their community. Rav Soloveitchik refused, saying that he had his share of being a rabbi of a community and now he wanted to spend his days learning. The leaders of Brisk offered him many things in order to persuade him to come, but Rav Soloveitchik was adamant in his refusal. 

Disheartened, the men turned to leave. Just at that moment one of the men thought he would give it one more try and said, “Rebbe I’ll tell you the truth, there are 25,000 Jews waiting for you that are desperately in need of your leadership.” 

The Rav started to shake and said, “Bring me my stick and my hat, I’m moving to Brisk.” 

Rav Soloveitchik immediately accepted the position when he heard that so many Jews were in need of his leadership. The Chafetz Chaim then asks: Could you imagine if mashiach would hear that the entire Jewish nation couldn't live without him? If we truly cried out for mashiach and wanted him badly enough, could you imagine how fast he would come??