אות - קכג

Once he asked me in a tone of wonder: Have you ever heard words of rebuke from me? And he said that he cannot say words of rebuke. For every word of rebuke of his is steeped and bathed in tears (in German he said it in these words: "Itleches vort fun mussar iz bay mir farvoshen mit trehrn" [every word of rebuke with me is washed in tears]). And because of this he cannot say rebuke explicitly. And at first we were somewhat puzzled by what he said — that he does not say rebuke. For in our view all his words are words of very very great rebuke, like a truly burning fire. But in truth he was not in the habit of saying explicit words of rebuke in the manner of those who rebuke — but even so, all his words and all his conversations were only about the service of Hashem. And all his words were like coals of fire literally. And whoever merited to hear a word from his mouth — it entered within him like a truly burning fire. And it is impossible to explain or describe in writing or by word of mouth the intensity of the burning holiness of his words that went forth from his holy and awesome mouth in holiness and purity. For every single word of his — even in ordinary conversation, all the more so when he spoke about the service of Hashem or when he said and revealed Torah — every word shone and gleamed and blazed like blazing fire, sparks upon sparks of flame. And whoever truly and sincerely listened and attended to his words — every single word of his bloomed and entered within him like a flame of fire literally, until all the listeners were drawn through his holy words to Hashem Yisburach with wondrous attachment and great burning for Hashem Yisburach in truth. And most of the time it seemed to us in that hour when we stood before the splendor of his awesome holiness that certainly we would no longer have any choice — for certainly it would be of necessity to be as Hashem Yisburach wills, and it would be impossible to separate further from Hashem Yisburach. All the more so to change His will blessed He by transgressing, Heaven forbid, even something of minor consequence whatsoever. For the heart was drawn very very greatly to Hashem Yisburach through his holy words, which it is impossible to measure and reckon. Also now — whoever engages with the books of Rabbainu the holy and awesome, the memory of the righteous and holy is for blessing, and studies and looks into them in truth and with sincerity — his heart will certainly burn greatly toward Hashem Yisburach, for all his words are like coals of fire.