Guided by the Rif

It is told that in his youth, Rav Menachem Mendel of Rimanov was learning in the beis medrash under Rav Doniel Yaffe in Berlin. He studied the works of the Rif on the Gemara with great diligence, and his soul thirsted for self-perfection.

Once he learned so much in one sitting that his tongue stuck to his palate. He began to daven from deep in his heart, crying to Hashem to enlighten him and brighten his darkness. He davened and davened until he fell into a deep sleep and dreamed.

In his dream he saw the Rif himself. The Rif showed him an image of Rebbe Reb Elimelech of Lizhensk and told him to travel to the Rebbe, for there he would reach his goal.