[Avodah] R. Chaim Volozhiner and Putting on Rabbeinu Tam Tefillin

[Daniel M. Israel]

Quoting Micha Berger <micha at aishdas.org>:
> On Mon, Apr 11, 2011 at 06:05:18PM -0400, Prof. Levine wrote:
>> Someone sent me the following:
>> A famous story about R. Chaim Volozhiner, when asked why he didn't put on
>> Rabbeinu Tam t'fillin: "The din says that unless one is a chosid, he
>> shouldn't, because it's mechazei k'yuhara...."
>
> Does this mean the Gra, who his talmidim (including RCV) called "HaGaon
> haChassid" (sometimes "haGaon haChassid haAmiti", in true misnagid style),
> *did* wear Rabbeinu Tam tefillin?

Certainly his talmidim called him a chassid, but what makes you think  
he would not have hesitated to call himself a chasid?

-- 
Daniel M. Israel
daniel at cornell.edu