Really Deep

The Tzemach Tzedek used to call R. Hillel a half-chossid. Why half? Because R. Hillel’s other half was almost a rebbe. The Tzemach Tzedek allowed him an unheard of thing in the Chassidic world – to give blessings and answer questions posed by other Chassidim.

Once a Jew came to see R. Hillel and started complaining: “When I learn chassidus I feel a great depth in my soul but the minute I put on my talis and pick up the siddur, all that feeling goes away.”

The Tzemach Tzedek answered him “you simply manage to pray before you start praying, that’s not so bad.”