The father-in-law of the Sanzer also related an incident where, after a study session with the Hidushei HaRim, the latter spoke about Hasidism and shared the following story: R. Yaakov of Lisa, who authored Chavat Da’at, used to visit Warsaw and give public lectures to gedolim (revered rabbis) and great talmidei hakhamim (Torah scholars). The Hidushei HaRim also used to sit somewhere by the edge of the table, listening to the lecture.  During one such lecture, the Hidushei HaRim posed a complicated question, prompting the Rabbi of Lisa to inquire about the identity of the person who asked the question. Upon being told, R. Yaakov summoned the Hidushei HaRim (who was then an eighteen-year-old unmarried man) to the front and engaged him in a learning discussion. Afterward, R. Yaakov remarked to the Hidushei HaRim:  I suspect that you are a member of the Hasidim. The Hidushei HaRim was not embarrassed and confirmed that he had indeed traveled to see R. Bunim of Peshiskha. “Is that so?” responded R. Yaakov. “I would like to share a story with you that happened to me.” On one occasion, he had witnessed two hasidim (Strelisker?) eating a half-roasted goose before praying, which had left him feeling very uneasy. It was only after R. Yaakov saw

that these Jews were not unruly youngsters so he decided to wait and observe their conduct in the future. He had seen how they prayed and thought to himself, “If I prayed like that, I too would eat a half-roasted goose before praying.” 

(The Sanzer commented that this incident showed the great gaon’s [brilliant scholar] respect for Hasidim. He further notes that the author, in the siddur (prayer book), Derekh Hayim, had written that one is not allowed to drink even a single glass of water before praying.)

Y.F.

Sanzer Rebbe