t was his Torah as much as his insight that endeared him to giants of the spirit.
The Satmar Rebbe, Reb Yoel, once asked him for a diagnosis. “Reb Yankev, analyze me and tell me what ails me.”
“I could never analyze the Rebbe,” the doctor replied, “but I will say this. The seforim say that the first time a term or word is used in the Torah, that reflects its essence, its truest meaning. The first time the Torah uses the term ‘lo tov’ is in the context of ‘Lo tov heyos ha’adam l’vado — It is not good for a person to be alone.’ The root of negativity and pain is loneliness.”
And then the doctor looked at the tzaddik and said, “And Rebbe, everyone knows that it’s very lonely at the top of the mountain.”
The Satmar Rebbe was amazed by the response.....
