The Chasid and the Litvak at the Kiddush: Two Worlds at One Table דער חסיד און דער ליטוואק ביים קידוש: צוויי וועלטן ביי איין טיש

A kiddush may be the only place in the world where a Chasid and a Litvak stand at the same table, holding the same plastic plate, looking at the same herring — each with a completely different plan.

The Arrival

The Chasid arrives in his shtreimel, a little late, because davening ran long. He says "Gut Shabbos" to everyone in the room, including people he doesn't know, and apparently to the kugel as well.

The Litvak arrives on time, in his hat, a little lost in thought, because he is still in the middle of a Tosfos he learned before davening. He also says "Gut Shabbos" — just once, to the man standing next to him, but he means it very sincerely.

The L'chaim

• The Chasid pours a full cup, says "L'chaim tovim ul'sholom," and wishes the baal simcha "all the yeshuos," "nachas from the children" and "great harchavah" — all in one breath.
• The Litvak pours half a cup, examines it, considers whether he has already made a bracha on mezonos, and says a quiet "L'chaim." Then he asks the baal simcha: "Nu, what are you learning?"

The Cholent

This is where it gets serious. The Chasid eats the cholent with great enthusiasm, as if it were a mitzvah of its own. He shares with everyone — "Take, take, there's plenty!" — and drops a spoonful onto the Litvak's plate without asking.

The Litvak takes a small portion — "I still have to learn after the seudah" — and finishes it in two minutes. Then he goes back to the pot "just to see if there's any left." There is. He takes another.

The End

By the end of the kiddush they have discussed everything: the parsha, the weather, and which kugel is better. The Chasid shared a vort from the Baal Shem Tov, the Litvak shared a vort from Reb Chaim, and both agreed the herring was a little too sour.

"Gut Shabbos," says the Chasid, patting the Litvak on the shoulder. "Gut Shabbos," answers the Litvak — this time with a broad smile.

Because when it comes to a good cholent, all Yidden are one family.