These days, the term Chosid (as opposed to Litvak)is comparable to the distinction between the American League and the National League in Major League Baseball. It denotes a specific alliegance without any meaning whatsoever to the quality of anyone or anything. In so many ways, the distinctions have become insignificant, such as levush, choices of seforim, etc. The learning in chassidishe yeshivos has become much more similar to that of litvishe yeshivos. It is commonplace for litvishe families to take their children for “upsherin” to a rosh yeshiva, and for litvishe yungerleit in kollel to sport beards and payos. Chassidishe yungerleit also exhibit many traits and behaviors previously attributed to the litvishe circles.
Is it not strange to see many of the dated references to the Vilna Gaon as ????? ????? ???????? The term was once a reference to someone’s level of kedusha. Today, it signifies traits and practices that are totally external. What a shame.