אות - קלז

I heard from his holy mouth at the time he spoke with us about the greatness of the matter of the stories of Tzadikim — which is printed in his holy books (in section 234, Part One). And he said then that he himself o.b.m. — the primary arousal for the service of Hashem Yisburach in truth was through stories of Tzadikim. And he related that in the home of his father and mother, the righteous ones, may their memory be for blessing — all the Tzadikim were frequent guests there. For all the Tzadikim were found in the holy community of Mezhibuzh because it is the place of the Baal Shem Tov o.b.m. And most of them were accommodated in his father's home o.b.m. And he heard many stories of Tzadikim — and through this was the primary arousal of his soul toward Hashem Yisburach until he merited what he merited.

One of his followers told me that once he told Rabbainu o.b.m. that a certain match was proposed to him, and the man mentioned said before him o.b.m. that there was no "place" [space, i.e. compatibility] there for him. He answered him: When a person has the heart of a Jew, the concept of "place" does not apply to him etc. For the heart is divinity etc. etc. (272) (as printed in Likutay Tinyana, section 56).

272. RAK: Bereishis Rabbah 68:6. Shemos Rabbah 45:6. Rashi on Shemos 33:21.