The custom in Belz during Sukkot was to prave (conduct) a tish (ritual meal) for gebetene (invited guests), and the Rabbi of Belz spoke about great platters(?) of food. This custom originated from the fact that when the Belzer first arrived in Belz, he found a city that was exceedingly boorish, heavily influenced by Gentiles, to the extent that many balei batim (laymen) did not eat in a sukka. The Rabbi of Belz was greatly distressed, and therefore, he directed that an announcement be made daily during the ushpizin that all those named Avraham or Moshe, etc., are invited to his Sukka. This led to the balei batim eating at least one time in a sukka. Eventually, it became customary for the sons and grandsons of the invited guests, to be guests of the Rabbi of Belz, and these dinners became known as the gebetener tish (the table of the invitees).

Y.F.

Sanzer Rebbe