and in english:
One Who Doubts the Words of the Sages Defiles Wine Through Contact
In one conversation, [the Chazon Ish] exclaimed: Anyone who suggests that even a single statement of Chazal is “not to be taken literally” (lav davka), is considered one who “cuts down the plantings” (mekatzetz b’netiot), a metaphor for heresy. He added that the “intermediate” man (beinoni) is compelled to adopt such a position when he aligns himself [with skeptics].
He was also meticulous not to eat poultry slaughtered by a certain rabbi, a renowned expert slaughterer and inspector (shochet u’vodek), who was suspected of belonging to the aforementioned type of “intermediates.”
Our master, Rabbenu [the Chazon Ish], consistently maintained that a person with a distorted outlook is more potent in rendering wine ritually impure through contact than one who publicly desecrates the Sabbath. The venerable Rabbi Shmaryahu Greineman, of blessed memory, testified that he heard this stated in his name. He further related an incident from Rabbenu’s time in Vilna. During that period, a brilliant scholar (lamdan muflag) would lodge in his room and would honor him each Friday with a bottle of wine. This scholar would often discuss matters of Torah with Rabbenu. On one occasion, they brought up the statement of Chazal concerning Og, king of Bashan, who picked up a mountain with the intent to hurl it upon the Israelite camp, and the miracle that occurred when ants hollowed out its peak, causing it to become entrapped around his neck as if in a collar. The young man remarked, “Presumably, these words were stated in the language of poetic allegory and exaggeration (melitzah v’haflagah)…” Rabbenu’s countenance darkened, and he said to him cryptically, “For the coming Sabbath, do not bring wine with you…”
[The Chazon Ish] was present at the kiddish of a rabbi from the Mizrachi movement, and Rabbenu [the Chazon Ish] was in attendance. That rabbi sought to honor Rabbenu by having him recite Kiddush. [The Chazon Ish] responded to him, “This is the first time I am hearing that a Mizrachi rabbi does not render his own wine forbidden by contact…!?”. (As related by the great Rabbi Shmaryahu Greineman, of blessed memory).
Thus writes Rabbenu in one of his letters: “We recoil upon hearing the sound of doubt concerning the words of Chazal, whether in Halakha or Aggadah, as the sound of blasphemy ??”?. One who deviates from this, according to our tradition, is considered a heretic regarding the words of Chazal. His ritual slaughter is deemed nevelah, he is invalid to serve as a witness, and more. In the early days of the peverse, fifty or sixty years ago, when the majority of the people were observant of the commandments, the perverse would begin by supporting themselves with such doubtful matters. The Chareidim would distance themselves from the spirit of heresy that emanated from them. The entire ‘free’ generation [of today] consists mostly of the children and grandchildren of those fathers and grandfathers.” (Kovetz Igrot Chazon Ish, Part I, Letter 15).