A brilliant and renowned scholar, exceptionally gifted and remarkably profound in his studies, came to Liozna and threw himself into the study of Chassidus. With his powerful intellectual propensity, he amassed, within a short time, a great and broad knowledge in Chassidus.

At his first yechidus with the Alter Rebbe, he asked: “Rebbe, what do I lack?” The Rebbe replied: “You lack nothing, for you are G‑d-fearing and a scholar. You do need, however, to rid yourself of the chametz1 — awareness of self and arrogance — and to bring in matzah, which is bittul, renunciation of self.”

HaYom Yom, entry for 27 Tammuz