When Rav Reuven Katz, of blessed memory, separated from his teacher, Maran HaChafetz Chaim, of blessed memory, in order to travel to America for the benefit of the yeshiva in Radin, Maran HaChafetz Chaim told him that last winter a Jew came to him, dressed poorly, with a dejected and gloomy face, and asked him, "Rabbi, do you not know me?" This was said with tears. He continued, "Am I not the formerly well-known wealthy man Rosenbaum from Moscow, whom you once asked to support your yeshiva with a sum of two thousand rubles a year, and I refused to give more than two hundred? At that time, I was not blessed with understanding, while now, after I have gained understanding, I no longer have the ability because the Bolsheviks have stolen everything I own."
Maran HaChafetz Chaim concluded by turning to Rabbi Reuven, saying, "Tell them there that when one is young and has the ability, he lacks the seichel to support Torah. When one gets old and has seichel - he no longer has the ability to support Torah."
This happened soon before the stock market crash of 1929.
