The Shpole Zeide said about R. Nakhman of Bratslav that he is precisely like “one who hurls a stone at Merkulis.” He attempted to hold a gathering at the home of the Berditchever Rabbi [Levi Yitzhak] of Berditchev to impose a herem (ex-communication) on him, but R. Levi Yitzkhak’s wife, with a broom in her hands, escorted them out forcefully. The Berditchever as well was not willing to take action against R. Nakhman and impose ex-communication.
It is not in the nature of a hasid to say aloud the term herem. Instead, he opts to say, “The person was placed in the three letters.”
Y.F.
Tolner Rebbe
