The Bal Shem Tov used to have both public meals and private meals. The intent of private meals is not that he ate alone, but only a select group were invited to sit at the meal—while the rest stood around. A prerequisite to be invited to sit at these meals was a fluency in the works of the Arizal’s Kabbalah.[1]
This was a well the manner in which the Alter Rebbe structured his meals until his arrest—afterwards though the structure changed.
The brilliant Chassid, Reb Isaac of Homel was wont to say that his fluency in the Arizal’s works was due to these meals. He was forced to learn them, for, if not he would not be able to attend these meals and be close with the Rebbe.
The lesson is obvious: Although our prerequisites are different, there is nothing a chassid wouldn’t do to be in the Rebbe’s presence.
[1] Sefer HaSichot, 5704, Pg. 19
