A somewhat notable chassid³⁶⁷, p. 36, #23). He headed a large group of chassidim in Dashev, and when Rabbi Dov of Tcherin told him about the Rebbe, he came with his entire following (Nevey Tzaddikim, p. 24). Rebbe Nachman received a blessing from him before his pilgrimage to Israel (Tzaddik #32). See note 389. came to see the Rebbe. He was an older man and was knowledgeable in the writings of the holy Ari. Wanting to attach himself to the Rebbe, he began to speak in the manner of important chassidim, saying, “ Would the Rebbe teach us the path to serve God.”

footnotes: ³⁶⁷ This individual was R' Yudel, who then became a lifelong follower of the Rebbe (Kokhavey Or

The Rebbe looked at him with wonder and quoted the verse, “To know Your path in the earth?” (Psalms 67:3). The Rebbe meant that someone who was still “in the earth” – completely immersed in earthliness – wants to know the path to come close to God.

We see from this anecdote that the Rebbe was provoked because the man spoke in a haughty way, saying that he was seeking the path to God as if he had already perfected himself to the extent that he lacked nothing else but to choose the appropriate path and walk up to God. The Rebbe saw through this and wanted him to speak to him honestly.