 After his father's death he went to Dubno (he was then fourteen), where he continued his Talmudical studies.He became associated with the Ḥasidim in that community and with their "rabbi," Menachem Mendel of Kotzk, with whose son David he spent some time studying Jewish philosophy and Cabala.After his marriage he went to Wilna, entered its rabbinical school, and graduated as a rabbi.