When R. Abraham of Sochatchov [d.1910] was a boy he studied with a shochet [ritual slaughterer] who was close to the Sanzer – the [author of the] Divrei hayim. He once told of the greatness of the Sochotchover when he was but a boy of eight.
The Sochotchover’s father [R. Ze’ev Nahman (d.1885)] was a great man – the author of the book – Agudat Ezov. He was a rabbi in his town and gave lectures to his students. Once Abraham listened in during the lecture and afterward he called out: “Father, your question is no question nor is your answer.” At first, his father ignored him but when he began to think it over, he realized that his son was correct. This went on for several days. His father was afraid that he would be embarrassed before his town and berated Abraham to stop driving him crazy. But from then on, he did not allow Abraham into his lecture.
I.F.
Sanzer Rebbe
