R. Yechiel Luniker one of the most distinguished Sadigora hasidim (who back in the day visited the Rizhiner) related:
R. Avraham, the Rizhiner’s brother, once traveled with a group of hasidim and he stopped off at an inn to pray the mincha service. After the prayers, he announced – “I am going to make a thanksgiving feast. Why?” [He explained that] he was once traveling and ended up touching a book from the Bratslaver. “It is well-known,” R. Avraham continued, “that a decree was issued that the prayers of one who touches a Bratslaver book are not accepted [on high] for forty days.” That day marked the end of the forty days – that’s why he made a thanksgiving feast.
[Note:] a similar story is told about the Berdichever – but according to that version [of the story] people say that he touched Dessaur’s [=Moses Mendelssohn from Dessau] translation of the Tanach.
I.F.
Rabbi Reiter
Prohobishter Rav
