R. Berel Nichamkin of Homil was a chossid of the Tzemach Tzedek and a talmid of R. Aizel of Homil. A wealthy and busy businessman, R. Berel nevertheless devoted much time to davening.
At the Tzemach Tzedek's instruction, R. Berel and his brother, R. Tzadok, became business partners. They were generous baalei tzedaka and would secretly cover the costs of all simchos in Homil.
The two brothers were warm chassidim, and R. Berel was also learned in both niglah and Chassidus. (סה"ש תרצ"ז ע' 271)
When R. Berel visited Lubavitch in 5650, the Rebbe Rashab observed him sitting in thought for ten minutes or so after davening each morning. When the Rebbe Rashab questioned him about this, R. Berel replied:
"I was in yechidus by the Tzemach Tzedek who told me, 'Everyone must engage in avoda, even businessmen. In fact, businessmen have it easier, but they must know what they've accomplished and what they're up to. Every day after davening, they should make an assessment of where they're at.'
"Since then," R. Berel concluded, "every day after davening, even if I didn’t have time to daven at length with hisbonenus, I sit down and contemplate how I davened, how did my davening affect me, and then I make a resolution about what I need to do in the future." (סה"ש תרצ"ז ע' 260, ניצוצי אור ע' 270)
