The relationship between the Hasidim and Mitnagdim in Lida can be characterized by this story.
In [5]691 (1931) Lida was destroyed by a fire.
The Hasidic shtibel was also burned down. The only shtibel that remained was the tailor’s synagogue and the Hasidim, alas, also had to pray there.
[Once] during Sukkot the prayers were led by a Hasid who was required to do so (hiyuv) and during the Kaddish prayer he said: “And may His salvation blossom” [a Hasidic custom adopted from the Sephardic version].
A mitnagdic tailor jumped up in great fury!
“Blood shall run,” he yelled, “but ‘And may His salvation blossom’ will not be recited in a sacred place.”
I.F.
M. Ivenski
