R. Zalman Orenstein told the Kinever Rebbe:
The Rav [i.e. Shneur Zalman of Liadi] was a disciple of R. Michel of Zelochov. When R. Michel traveled, he took along his disciples and the Rav went along with them. When R. Michel visited the Magid, it was arranged so that both of them would lead separate tishen during the third Shabbat meal. When the Zelochover would give his teaching the Magid would keep silent but when the Magid began to preach R. Michel would not pay him any attention but would mind his own concerns.
This was difficult for the Rav to understand – R. Michel travels to the Magid but then he shows him no respect. At the Magid’s there was a close follower (mekurav) – a great mind who had previously been [a disciple of] the Ga’on of Vilna but became a Hasid. The Rav asked the advice of this follower as to what he should do. He replied: “I will show you how the Magid performs [the midnight ritual of] Hazot.” He showed him how during Hazot the Magid, despite being lame and needing
crutches threw them away and ran about like a flaming fire. This impressed the Rav deeply. The Magid opened the door and said to the Rav: “Regarding Torah, R. Michel is greater but regarding rectifying souls (tikun nefashot) I stand higher than him.” So, the Rav remained as a hasid of the Magid because he also felt that rectifying souls stands higher and is more important.
I.F.
Kinever Rebbe
