R. Zev Volf Levitin (5608‑5670) was a chossid of the Tzemach Tzedek in his youth, and later a chossid of the Rebbe Maharash and Rebbe Rashab. The son‑in‑law of the famous chossid and shadar R. Gershon Ber Paharer, R. Volf lived in Pahar until he was appointed to serve as mashgiach in the Lubavitch in 5660, a position a held until his passing. His son was R. Shmuel Levitin, the Rov and Mashpia of 770.
At fourteen years old, R. Volf became engaged, and he spent the next two years learning all three "Bavos" and Choshen Mishpat. When it was time for the chassuna, he was so engrossed in learning that he was delaying to go.
At eighteen, his father‑in‑law R. Gershon Ber sent him to Lubavitch. It was during the last year of the Tzemach Tzedek's life and he was quite weak. During yechidus, the Rebbe repeated softly, "Oif! Oif!" meaning that he should stay up learning every Thursday night. The meshores interpreted that it meant learning Niglah for half the night, and Chassidus for the other half.
During his time in Lubavitch, Reb Volf brought one of the leading maskilim to see the Tzemach Tzedek. In yechidus, the Rebbe uncovered part of his hand and pointing to it he said, "Look Who gives this life!" At that moment, emunah became so real to the maskil that he went on to become an outstanding chossid. (R. Shmuel Levitin recalled meeting that chossid years later.)
Reb Volf was in Lubavitch during the Tzemach Tzedek's histalkus and he recalls hearing that during the taharah the Rebbe's body dipped under water on its own, like what happened with the Mezritcher Maggid.
Maharil, the Tzemach Tzedek’s son, had been away from Lubavitch at the time of the histalkus. When he returned, he stated that his father was even greater than the Maggid, since from every line of Chassidus he wrote an entire maamar could be developed. The Rebbe Maharash responded, "Not just every line; every word!"
R. Volf was an incredible masmid, and he continued to learn even on his deathbed. He was completely fluent in the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch.
His wife ran a tavern and R. Volf would sit there learning. The goyim were in awe of him, and they would ask if they were disturbing him from learning.
(ניצוצי אור – וויינגארטען)
