R. Meir of Premishlan’s father was R. Aron Leib. R. Aron Leib’s father was the Great R. Meir, who also lived in Premishlan and was a student and friend of the Besht. On one occasion, the Besht visited his friend, the Great R. Meir, and saw R. Aron Leib still in his crib. The Great R. Meir told the Besht, “I would like to present to you my child.” So they moved the crib and the child was shown to the Besht. The Besht asked the child, “Do you know who I am, my child? Even though the child had not spoken before, he suddenly began to speak, replying, “You are R. Isaac Luria, the Holy Ari.” The Besht exclaimed, “May you live!” The child then said, “Today you are R. Yisrael Baal Shem Tov. Last time, you were the soul of R. Yitzhak Luria.” From that point on, R. Aron Leib was able to speak.
Y.F.
Nachum Ber Hamburger
(Boyaner Hasid)
