Once, when the Shtefaneshter Rebbe had to travel, a young Chaim Zanvil—the future Ribnitzer Rebbe—accompanied his Rebbe to the train station. The profound bond between them was evident in the emotional way they parted. It was incredibly difficult for the young bochur to watch his Rebbe board the train without him, but there was nothing he could do. He knew he had to make peace with the temporary separation.

But as the train let out a loud whistle and began accelerating out of the station, the young Chaim Zanvil realized he simply couldn't remain standing in place. He felt compelled to run after the train.

And run he did.

While it was obviously impossible to catch a speeding train, he pushed himself to the absolute limit. He ran and ran until every ounce of his strength was depleted, eventually collapsing to the ground in total exhaustion.

But he wasn't finished.

After lying on the ground for a few moments, he somehow summoned strength he didn't even know he possessed. He pulled himself up and resumed his desperate sprint after the departing train. This incredible display repeated itself several times, until he was entirely drained of energy and physically unable to take another step. Only then, once he had recovered just enough to move, did he slowly make his way back to the station, his deep yearning for his Rebbe burning stronger than ever.