The Dream About the Arizal

It is told that the Baal Shem Tov was once sitting with his holy circle, learning the kavonos (mystical intentions) of the mikveh. When he taught certain kavonos, some of the talmidim asked, "Rebbe, how can this be? Doesn't the holy Arizal explain these kavonos differently?"

On hearing this, the Baal Shem Tov leaned his head back and sank into deep dveikus. His face blazed like a torch and his soul seemed to soar to the lofty heavenly realms. The talmidim were all seized with trembling and awe, all except Rav Nachman, who grew more and more drowsy. He was greatly upset with himself. How could he be tired while the Baal Shem Tov's soul rose to such heights? He fought to stay awake, but in the end he drifted off.

In his sleep he saw a great crowd running, and he ran after them. They told him that their holy Rav was about to teach. He followed them into a large, stately building filled with distinguished people, and there stood the Baal Shem Tov, teaching the very derosha Rav Nachman had just heard. Then a young tzaddik stood beside him and began to argue. Rav Nachman was told that this was the Arizal. They debated back and forth until the Arizal agreed with the Baal Shem Tov's explanation.

Rav Nachman woke to find himself back among the talmidim, who were still discussing the apparent contradiction. The Baal Shem Tov turned to him and said, "Nu, I took you along so that you could testify who is right. Now tell them what you saw and who won the argument." Rav Nachman testified in the Baal Shem Tov's favor, and the Baal Shem Tov finished his derosha.