R. Elazar Lechshower (?), one of the lofty Hasidim, had yet seen the Besht and also knew the Ruzhiner. He died when he was around in his early 90s.
He said: “When the Besht was in this world it was all one – the Besht was rebbe, rabbi, and preacher (magid).
After he passed away they were separated – simply rebbe was the Koretzer, simply rabbi was the [author of the] Toldot [ya’akov yosef], and simply preacher was the Magid of Mezritsh. It was simply wonderful.
After this, simply rebbe was R. Baruch, simply rabbi was the Barditchever, and simply preacher was the Koznitzer – it was still tolerable.
But now, simply rebbe is the Ruzhiner, simply rabbi is the Savraner, and simply preacher is the Chernobyler – it is now intolerable.
I.F.
Pinchas Landau
