R’ Moshe Feinstein was in his home with one of his talmidim, when an almana of a few weeks came to speak with R’ Moshe. The talmid went to the back of the room to watch quietly, as the woman poured her heart out to R’ Moshe. As the woman finished, the talmid observed R’ Moshe with tears streaming down his face. He sat there and cried for a few minutes, said a couple of words, and the woman left, visibly comforted, and lifted to more positive spirits.
The talmid then asked R’ Moshe, “Rebbe, did you know this womans husband well? Was he a talmid of yours?” “No” replied R’ Moshe, “I did not know her husband, and I don’t know her either.” “So, Rebbe” the talmid replied, “why all the tears?” R’ Moshe said, “she is part of klal yisroel, and I must also carry her burden”. (A lesson in nosei b’ol im chaveiro)
A sign of total gadlus!