Nefesh HaChayim, An Introduction by the Author's Son

In everything he did he would minimize his own honor so as to increase heaven’s honor, in public affairs and specifically in matters of general concern. It’s well known that he cast his own life aside41Paraphrasing Shoftim 9:17 and engaged himself to the extreme limits of his abilities. Even when he was old, he acted reliably to the end42Heb.: ha-ya ya-dahv ehmoona ahd bo ha-sheh-mehsh—Paraphrasing Exodus 17:12 where Moses reliably held his hands aloft during the battle with Amalek all night long, until the sun rose the next morning.. And even when his energies were depleted (may the Merciful save us), even on his bed during his illness, he contemplated the future43Aram.: ra-ai-yo-nahv sleekoo—Paraphrasing Daniel 2:29, and he would be gazing heavenward to associate heaven’s Name with the suffering of the masses and the individuals, with groans and the sighs of extreme exertion, and his many sighs would distress all who heard them. (He would regularly reprove me about not being involved with the sufferings of others, and he would always tell me that man was not created to care only for himself, but rather to be helpful to others to the maximum extent of his abilities.) He would offer judgment and instruct; a lover of peace and a seeker of peace. He loved all beings and brought them closer to Torah.[*]