Tosafos From Heaven

The Chida writes that he heard from Rav Hirsch of Balchov how Rav Heschel of Cracow once travelled to Vilna, fleeing the Cossacks of Chmielniczki during the riots of Tach and Tat. When he arrived before the Av Bais Din, Rav Sheftil Horowitz, mechaber of Vavei HaAmudim and son of the Shelah HaKadosh, the Av Bais Din did not recognize Rav Heschel or respect his greatness.

Rav Heschel then asked the son of the Shelah to explain a Tosafos. Rav Sheftil said he would study it, but he could not understand the Tosafos at all. He fasted and cried, and then his own father, the author of the Shelah HaKadosh, appeared to him in a dream. His father explained the meaning of the Tosafos to him. He also admonished him to honor the great Rav Heschel, for he had the soul of Rabbeinu Tam.

Rav Sheftil awoke and immediately sent for Rav Heschel and honored him, explaining the Tosafos to him. Rav Heschel declared in public, "The only way you got this explanation was through a revelation from Heaven."