A Visit from the Tosafos Yom Tov

Once, as the Rebbe Reb Bunim of Peshischa sat together with his disciples, an elderly talmid chacham, who remembered Rav Bunim from his younger days when he was in Vadislov, approached and greeted him. Since he remembered Rav Bunim as a youngster, he did not greet him by the title Rav or Rabbi and the disciples and talmidim of his chevraya were upset by this and rebuked the elderly guest for his lack of honor and respect for their rebbe. “You know what?” replied the elderly talmid chacham from Vadislav, “I will test your rebbe and ask him a question from the commentary of the Tosafos Yom Tov. If he knows the answer I will indeed honor him with the title Rav and Rebbe.” He asked Rav Bunim, and the Rebbe Reb Bunim closed his eyes in concentration and rested his head on his arm for several minutes. Finally he lifted his head, opened his eyes, and delivered a very good explanation in the Tosafos Yom Tov, answering the visitor’s question. The guest was amazed. “I asked many scholars, but no one could answer my question. How did you know the answer?” “Well,” explained the Rebbe Reb Bunim, “I ascended on High and asked the neshamah of my departed rebbe the Yid HaKadosh, who in turn went to visit the Tosafos Yom Tov himself in the heavenly academy. He explained that the printer had missed a few words. He explained the answer to me and that’s how I know it!” (Yechabed Av, Shem Ha’gedolim Ha’chadash pg 30b)