The Rabbi of Strier, R. Benzil, was a mitnaged (he wrote glosses to the work Avnei milu’im, and was a disciple of the [author of the] Kezot ha-hoshen). He asked what is this practice that Jews choose a rebbe and make him so holy? A Hasid replied to him – the tsadikim say that it is like tithing. Anyone may benefit from a store of wheat but as soon as a Jew set aside tithe the tithe becomes holy. So too a rebbe – if hasidim set him aside from the congregation [of Israel] he becomes holy.
R. Benzil allowed himself a bit of humor: “It is written, however, that a deaf man, an idiot, or a minor who sets aside tithe, it does not become tithe. Hasidim are idiots so their tithes are not holy and neither are their rebbes.”
I.F.
R. Moses Cohen
