The Soul of Yochonon ben Zakkai

Rav Mordechai of Chernobyl was once enumerating the praises of his holy sons. As he did so, he designated whose soul stemmed from which source, and which soul he had drawn down to each child. When he reached Rav Yochonon, he said that he had the soul of Rav Yochonon ben Zakkai.

When these words were repeated before Rav Yochonon of Rachmastrivka himself, he said, "Surely this is true. My name is Yochonon and my holy father is surely meritorious, and therefore Zakkai, which means that I am Yochonon ben Zakkai."