Reb Gershon Ber of Pahar was a chossid of the Tzemach Tzedek and later of the Rebbe Maharash. Guided by Reb Hillel Paritcher, he became known as a great maskil and true oived. Reb Gershon Ber is quoted for his heartfelt resolve “Morgen vet zain gor andersh!” (Tomorrow will be very different!), which he would proclaim after Krias Shma She’al Hamita, while rubbing his head with his yarmulke.
Reb Gershon Ber was acclaimed for relating stories. During his visits in Lubavitch, the Frierdiker Rebbe, then a young boy, would spend time listening to him gush forth tales and teachings of elder chassidim.
After one such evening with Reb Gershon Ber, the 17 year-old Frierdiker Rebbe penned a diary entry:
"It is 2:00 A.M. Outside rain pours heavily. I pleaded with Reb Gershon Ber to stay in my home until morning. He agreed. I went to my room to contemplate what I had heard that night.
Is there a pen and scribe who can adequately describe the profound impression I have from Reb Gershon Ber? From his stories of elder chassidim, both of their personal lives as well as the way they interacted with the simple pure-emunah folk, followers of the ways of Chassidus...
I look at the face of Reb Gershon Ber, the well-known maskil. He is distressed about his spiritual situation, which in his mind, leaves a lot to be desired.
I write the following in order that it should be as a witness for days to come:
On this past Motzoei Shabbos, I heard stories and talks of Reb Gershon Ber. Throughout my youth, I have seen many Chassidim. I have seen maskilim, ovidim, and baalei middos tovos. I have heard their stories and watched their conduct. For three years my father has been acquainting me with the wonderful and hidden gifts from the lives of great chassidim of the past, and (may they be separated for good and long life) of today. Of all the chassidim, Reb Gershon Ber is unique. In him I see the quality of a broken and crushed heart; broken like a shard of earthenware (“tzubrochen vi a kinenle”) and 'botel' like the dust of the earth.
While still sunken in my thoughts, a deep cry reaches me. I listen as Reb Gershon Ber reads Krias Shma She’al Hamita. He is saying the “ribono shel olam”; “shelo ashuv od lehachisecha, velo e’eseh hara be’einecha”... May I not return to anger You anymore, nor do what is evil in Your eyes."
