Editing Chaim Soloveitchik (section)

==== The Journey to the Assembly and Back ====
After that assembly, in Iyar 5670, the Gra"ch and the Rebbe Rashab came to Petersburg and stayed there until the end of the month of Sivan to arrange necessary matters for the public. On the holiday of Shavuot, the Gra"ch was a guest of the Rebbe Rashab, who was living in the city at that time. The Rebbe Rashab delivered a discourse on the Midrash Rabbah: "Bless the Lord, O my soul; just as the Holy One, blessed be He, fills the entire world, so too does the soul fill the entire body," and explained it according to the approach of Rav Saadia Gaon, that just as a person recognizes his vitality by seeing the vitality of his soul with his eye, so too is the vitality of G-d that fills and enlivens the entire world recognized with the eye. The Gra"ch delivered a discourse on the verse "The law of the Lord is perfect," based on what is brought in Midrash Rabbah: "Rabbi Yirmiyah and another, Rabbi Yirmiyah said why is it perfect? Because it restores the soul, and the other said why does it restore the soul? Because it is perfect."

It is related that when the Gra"ch and the Rebbe Rashab traveled together on their way to the assembly, passing through various towns, the Chassidim came to welcome the Rebbe Rashab, but they did not come to welcome the Gra"ch. The Gra"ch said: "Now I understand the difference between Chassidim and Misnagdim (opponents). Chassidim honor their Rebbe during his lifetime, but when their Rebbe passes away, they bury him immediately without delays and eulogies. In contrast, Misnagdim honor their Rebbe specifically after his passing, and then they elaborate with long eulogies, but while he is alive, they are not interested in honoring him."

During one of their journeys, the Gra"ch and the Rashab stopped in a remote town and prayed in a synagogue of Cantonists (Jewish children who had been forcibly conscripted into the Russian army). They saw one of the Cantonists approach the prayer stand and say: "Master of the Universe, what do we have to pray to You for? Should we pray for long life? What taste do we have from such a life? Children? We are already too old, and this is not possible according to the natural way. Sustenance? We have enough money and food. So what should we pray for, Master of the Universe? That 'His great name be magnified and sanctified!'"