Knowing the Tzaddik

The holy Rav Levi Yitzchok of Berditchev once traveled with his talmid, Rav Aharon of Zhitomir, the author of Toldos Aharon, to the city of Lizhensk. There they stayed together in the home of Rebbe Reb Elimelech. Rebbe Reb Elimelech asked the Berditchever, "Why are you stealing away all of my own talmidim?" (Many great Torah scholars had left Rebbe Reb Elimelech to learn under the Berditchever.)

The Berditchever answered 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.) So all my talmidim are your very own talmid's talmidim." With this humble answer, he was able to placate Rebbe Reb Elimelech.

Afterward, the Berditchever continued on his way to attend to some matters, while his talmid, Rav Aharon of Zhitomir, stayed behind and went on learning 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. He asked, "Why did you not continue traveling with your Rebbe?"

Rav Aharon answered, "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 became very stirred. He seized Rav Aharon by the lapels of his clothing and began to shake him, declaring, "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.)"