R' Shlomo of Karlin

After the passing of the Maggid of Mezritch, when the spheres of influence in spreading the teachings of Chasidism were divided up, Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism (known also as the "Alter Rebbe") was allotted Lithuania and White Russia. However, being as Reb Shlomo of Karlin had followers in the towns of Beshenkovitz, Tzeshnik and Liepli, he was allowed to continue visiting there.

When Reb Shlomo decided that he wanted to permanently move to Beshenkovitz, he first asked permission of Rabbi Shneur Zalman. The Alter Rebbe agreed with the following conditions: 1) Reb Shlomo would not demean those who devoted themselves seriously to the study of the revealed parts of the Torah; 2) Reb Shlomo would not disparage those who had an innate fear of Heaven; 3) Reb Shlomo would teach his own Chasidim that faith alone in the tzadik (righteous person) is not sufficient to enable one to ascend to higher spiritual levels but that one must personally toil in one's G-dly service.

Reb Shlomo was willing to agree to the first two conditions but could not come to terms with the third, for he taught his Chasidim that those who are bound to the tzadik are elevated by his service; the mission of their Divine service is simply to be enthusiastic about the study of Torah and the observance of its commandments. His teachings conflicted with the school of thought, known as Chabad Chasidism, established by the Alter Rebbe. The Alter Rebbe taught that each individual must personally exert effort in understanding G-d and His world and in one's Divine service.

Thus, Reb Shlomo did not move to Beshenkovitz, though he continued to visit there periodically.

Despite their disagreements and differences, a number of years later when Reb Shlomo visited the Alter Rebbe on a communal matter, the Alter Rebbe treated him with utmost respect and deference. When Reb Shlomo left to travel to Beshenkovitz for one of his visits, the Alter Rebbe sent a number of young scholarly Chasidim to accompany him, among them Reb Binyamin of Kotsk. Along the way, Reb Shlomo and the Alter Rebbe's Chasidim engaged in deep discussions of all areas of Torah. Reb Shlomo was very impressed with the depth of knowledge of his escorts. Upon their arrival in Vitebsk, the Alter Rebbe's Chasidim got ready to return to Liozna but Reb Shlomo asked Reb Binyamin to travel with him to Beshenkovitz. Reb Binyamin agreed.

When it was time for the afternoon prayer, Reb Shlomo asked his wagon driver to stop the coach so that he could pray. Reb Shlomo climbed down and looked for a stream to wash his hands but there was none nearby. He climbed back up into the coach and sat there for many moments in meditation. Suddenly the horses started to gallop undirected. Before long they stopped near a stream, whereupon Reb Shlomo descended and washed his hands. He prayed the afternoon service with his usual fiery devotion and then alighted upon the wagon.

When the wagon driver informed Reb Shlomo that he had no idea where they were, Reb Shlomo told him to allow the horses to proceed on their own. The horses galloped along until they came to a highway. From there they traveled until they arrived at an inn. Reb Shlomo told the wagon driver to stop at the inn. He and Reb Binyamin prayed the evening service followed by Tikun Chatzot in remembrance of the destruction of the Holy Temple. At dawn they prayed the morning service and then continued on their way. They arrived in Beshenkovitz on Thursday afternoon, in time for the afternoon prayer.

At this point it was impossible for Reb Binyamin to return to Liozna in time for the Sabbath and so, he decided to stay in Beshenkovitz for Shabbat. Throughout Shabbat, Reb Binyamin met many of his fellow Chasidim. They were amazed that the Alter Rebbe had accorded Reb Shlomo so much honor as to send such a scholar as Reb Binyamin to accompany him. Thereafter, they accorded Reb Shlomo much more honor than they had previously.

Reb Binyamin remained in Beshenkovitz for another two days, walking around as if in a daze from everything he had learned from Reb Shlomo and from everything he had seen in Reb Shlomo's prayers and Divine service. He had even had a fleeting thought to stay on in Beshenkovitz to spend more time in Reb Shlomo's company. Reb Binyamin decided against staying and called on Reb Shlomo to take his leave.

Reb Shlomo spoke to Reb Binyamin for many hours, entreating him to stay and become one of his Chasidim. Reb Shlomo promised that he would share with him wondrous secrets of the Torah and he would hand pick a group of students for Reb Binyamin to teach would be worthy of his keen intellect.

Reb Binyamin listened and responded by quoting a Ukrainian rhyme (for Reb Shlomo would often spice his conversation with Ukrainian sayings):

The master's a master - but he's not mine; The lad's a lad - but he's not thine." And he returned to the Alter Rebbe in Liozna.