[Avodah] Self-imposed exile by rabbonim

[David Riceman]

Shayna Korb wrote:
> Does anyone have any sources on rabbonim putting themselves into exile 
> and wandering around? I heard that the Gra did this and that it was a 
> custom at the time, but I am looking for sources inside.
In Rabbi Maimon's book "Toldot HaGra" there's a chapter on this called 
"HaGra holech bagolah".  The classic exemplar of the fruits of such 
exile is RaMaK's little book "Sefer Gerushin", though my impression is 
that his exile was less extreme than those practiced in eastern Europe.

David Riceman