KNOWING THE TZADDIK
The holy Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev once traveled with his talmid, Rav Aharon of Zhitomir, mechaber of Toldos Aharon, to the city of Lizhensk. There they stayed together with Rebbe Reb Elimelech in his home. Rebbe Reb Elimelech questioned the Berditchever, saying to him, “Why are you stealing away all of my own talmidim?” (This was because many great Torah scholars left Rebbe Reb Elimelech to study under the Berditchever.)
The Berditchever answered Rebbe Reb Elimelech with humility, “Vaymens bin ich den? Ich bin zich ayer talmid oich! - And just whose talmid do you think I am? I am also your talmid! Thus, all my talmidim are therefore your very own talmid’s talmidim!” With this humble answer, he was able to placate and satisfy Rebbe Reb Elimelech. Afterward, the Berditchever continued on his way to attend to some matters while his talmid, Rav Aharon of Zhitomir, remained behind and continued studying in Rebbe Reb Elimelech’s Bais Medrash.
Rebbe Reb Elimelech did not realize this, and when one night he walked in and found Rav Aharon sitting there learning, he was surprised and asked Rav Aharon, “Why did you not continue traveling with your Rebbe?” Rav Aharon answered Rebbe Reb Elimelech, “Mein Rebbe ken ich. Bin ich gebliben ba aych zu kenen! – My Rebbe I already know. I remained behind to get to know you as well!” Hearing this, Rebbe Reb Elimelech got all worked up. He seized Rav Aharon and began to shake him by the lapels of his clothing and declared, “Dein Rebbe kenstu? Afilu zein zhupstze kenstu nisht, bifrat im alein! – You think you really know your Rebbe? Why, you don’t even know his lapels, let alone really know him and how great he is!”
(Avodas Levi, page 98)
