There was a Rebbe in Bais Shraga of Monsey who was a Novardoker, and his name was R' Gendel Zatzal. He was a short 5’3 person, but he was tough and smart. He had Talmidim who were double his size and very strong, but he was fearless and he warned them that he would "punch them in their guts ". He was much loved but yet, very feared.
He was a Baal Toke’a on Rosh Hashanah in Bais Medrash Elyon, and he would walk many, many miles for this. People remember how he would say the Pesukim of Tekiyas Shofar – מִׁן הַמֵׂצַר etc. He said them slowly, but with all his heart, as if he was back in Novardok where things were very real and not: מִׁצְוַת אֲנָשִׁ ים מְלֻמָדָה done by rote.
They say that his Tekiyos were totally flawless, and he never had to repeat any Tekiya despite the fact that the: מַ קְ רִׁ יא (director of the Tekiyos) was a big M’dakdek and Talmid Chochom. His wife wasn't well, and he had to run the whole house himself.
His house was spotless. He did everything B’simcha, like a true Novardoker who sees every part of his life to be perfect and never complains against Hashem. They say that he would learn three hours of Mussar before davening. This is the secret of success. He was also a big Talmid Chochom.
