There is an Hasidic tale...
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There is an Hasidic tale about a young rabbi who wanted to be enlightened. He went to his own teacher and asked him for guidance on this path. But his teacher said, "If you will be very wise, you must go to the Teacher of Lublin. He is a highly spiritual teacher, and will be able to help you become holy." So the young rabbi traveled to Lublin, and he met with the great and holy teacher there. "Help me, please, to be spiritually enlightened." The old rabbi looked him over, and said, "What do you mean, spiritually enlightened?" "Well," replied the younger man, "I wish to be close to God, May His Name Be Blessed, and to be able to do the deeds of the wise -- to heal the sick, help those who are beaten by life, and put the steps of the young on the Path that leads to Heaven." "Ah," said the rabbi. "And have you no books, where you come from? No teachers? No wise old men?" "Yes," the young rabbi answered, "But you are the greatest! I would learn from you, if you are willing, to be so great a teacher." The old man stared at the younger for several minutes, until the young man began to be very uneasy under that gaze. At last, the old rabbi rose to his feet and said, "Yes, I will teach you. But you set your sights too low. If you will be holy, and a great and wise teacher," he said, raising his hands toward heaven, "you can be a burning flame!" And at once, fire rose from his fingertips, and he appeared to the eye as a burning candle. -- Herrmann
