At that time when Rav Yaakov Yitzchok, the Chozeh of Lublin, was studying in the yeshivah of the Rebbe Reb Shemlka of Nilosberg, the yeshivah was located in Shinova. Many other great talmidim studied there as well such as the Berditchever Rav (Rav Levi Yitzchok, author of Kedushas Levi), Rav Yisroel the Kozhnitzer Maggid, Rav Shlomo of Keshanov, and others.
The custom in the yeshivah was that one talmid was chosen who would lead the recitation of Birchos HaShachar – the morning blessings to which the rosh yeshiva, the Rebbe Reb Shmelka would respond and answer Amen.
Once Rav Yaakov Yitzchok joined the student body, he was selected for this prestigious position. Some of his peers were openly jealous of this special attention he received. When Rav Shmelka observed this, he told them, “Do not be jealous. I have chosen him to answer Amen to his Birchos HaShachar because the entire heavenly hosts – the famalia shel ma’alah answer Amen to his Birchos HaShachar as well!” (Eser Oros 18)
