The son-in-law of the Rebbe of Dzikov once related that the holy master Rebbe Naftali of Ropshitz was eating shalosh seudos with his teacher, the Noam Elimelech. He sat at the table, observing the Rebbe, and realized that if Rebbe Elimelech continued in his state of rapture, his soul could, Heaven forbid, expire and leave his body. The Ropshitzer banged on the table and said jokingly, “The verse says that Hashem will turn to us from His place in mercy. One can ask: Are there brooms in Heaven with which to sweep?” (The Yiddish expression kehern, to turn, is the same word used for sweeping with a broom.) “The answer is that the verse simply means that He should turn from His place with mercy.”
This witty remark disturbed the Rebbe, for it had interrupted Rebbe Elimelech’s state of rapture. Rav Naftali Ropshitzer, not wanting to face the Rebbe’s disapproval, fled, running from the table back to his lodgings.
Rebbe Elimelech sent someone to call him back. When Reb Naftali returned, Rebbe Elimelech said to him, “How dare you interrupt my state of deveikus and ecstasy!”
Reb Naftali told his holy teacher, “We still need the Rebbe to remain here in this world.”
Rebbe Elimelech realized that his talmid’s intentions had been honorable and said, “Yasher ko’ach!” and he honored the Ropshitzer with leading the bentching.
(Devarim Areivim, p. 21; Ohel Elimelech 300)
