As brought down in the book Yisroel Noach Hagadol.
R’ Yisroel Noach Belinitzky, later a Mashpia in Brunoy, France, commonly referred to as R’ Yisroel Noach Hagadol, was once tested on a Gemara by the Rashbatz, a Mashpia in Tomchei Tmimim during the times of the Rebbe Rashab. (The Rashabatz was a chassid who was Zoche to see the Tzemach Tzedek, the Rebbe Maharash, and the Rebbe Rashab; and a Melamed of the Frierdiker Rebbe.) During the exam, after R’ Yisroel Noach had explained a Maharsha on the Gemara, the Rashbatz asked him why the Maharsha ended his teaching with the word ק”ודו, which typically denotes a difficulty with the text. R’ Yisroel Noach enumerated seven difficulties with the Maharsha’s explanation and the Rashbatz was so excited with R’ Yisroel Noach’s explanation that he kissed him on the forehead. Because of the beautiful answer, the Rashbatz shared the following story with R’ Yisroel Noach.
When the Tzemach Tzedek became ill in 1866, toward the end of his life, the Rashbatz was sent from Lubavitch to Mezibuz to daven for a refuah by the Baal Shem Tov’s Tziyon. In those days, the Rashbatz made his livelihood by selling Seforim so he took some along with him, hoping to sell them along the way. Due to this, the journey took a little longer than usual. When the Rashabtz finally arrived in Mezibuz, he davened for the Tzemach Tzedek and then returned to Lubavitch. Sadly, when he arrived back in Lubavitch, he was informed that the Tzemach Tzedek had already been Nistalek while he was away. Because of this, the Rashbatz felt that the sons of the Tzemach Tzedek might have a Kpeida on him, since he had prolonged his journey to the Baal Shem Tov due to business, and his tefillos on behalf of the Tzemach Tzedek were therefore delayed.
Heartbroken, the Rashbatz traveled back to Mezibuz, to the Baal Shem Tov, and davened and pleaded until the Baal Shem Tov appeared to him. The Rashbatz then understood that the Kpeida was nullified, and when he returned to Lubavitch he was able to clearly see that this was the case.
When the Rebbe Maharash fell ill in 1873, the Rashbatz was once again sent to Mezibuz to daven on the Rebbe’s behalf, and to ask that ten years should be added to the Rebbe Maharash’s life. Indeed, this davening was accepted, and the Rebbe Maharash was Nistalek around ten years later in 1882.
