The Apter Rav was once in Berdychiv.

There lived an affluent family – to some extent influenced by heresy. As the Apter Rav was accustomed to partaking in large meals, they ridiculed the Apter Rav's unusual habits.

The Apter Rav noticed this and responded so: "Eating gives one strength and might.

'Strength and might [He] gave them, to be rulers amid the world' (from the poem 'E-l Adon'). I will then remove the 'midst' (the middle letter from the word) 'world' (tb"l) – and thus reduce them to a 'mound' (t"l)."

Chasidim recount that this family indeed was reduced to insignificance (a tel).

Y.F.

Pinchas Landau