Reb Tzvi, the son of the Baal Shem Tov, was a very holy but quiet and modest individual, and throughout his life, he lived in poverty. He was taught by his father and by Reb Gershon Kitover. After the passing of the Baal Shem Tov, Reb Tzvi took over the mantle of leadership, but on the first yahrtzait of his father, he said that the Baal Shem Tov had revealed himself to him and said that the entire “pamalya shel maalah” (heavenly court) had accepted the Mezritcher Maggid. He then took off his shtraimel and special white garment and put it on the Maggid. He passed away in Pinsk on the 7th of Teves, תק"מ (1780).
Once, a young man came to Reb Tzvi and asked him how to attain the level of avodas Hashem that he, Reb Tzvi, has reached. Reb Tzvi answered him with a mashal:
"There was a man who owned fifty gold pieces, and he asked the wealthiest man of his town how he can prosper from this money. The rich man answered that he cannot advise him since his wealth he received as an inheritance from his father. He recommended that he ask another wealthy man who had worked hard to earn his money."
"So too with me," concluded Reb Tzvi. "I have inherited much from my father. Better go to Reb Aharon of Karlin who has attained his levels with his own effort..."
As mentioned, after one year of leadership Reb Tzvi gave over the mantel to the Mezritcher Maggid. The Rebbe Rashab commented on this, "One needs to have a lot of strength to do this. We find that many Tanaaim and Amoraim had no desire to accept leadership, but once they took on this position ..."
(תורת שלום ע' 84)
