Siman 243

(3.) Regarding worldly matters and even frivolous matters — that great tzaddikim can elevate those words and make from stories of mundane matters a great service of G-d — as is somewhat understood from the ways and conduct told of the Baal Shem Tov of blessed memory and the other awesome tzaddikim of the near generations. And also in the holy Zohar there is some allusion to this matter, as is brought there regarding Rav Hamnuna Sava who would arrange three sections of frivolous talk. But the immensity of the greatness of Rabbainu's wisdom and the power of his holiness and attainment in this matter — in the matter of the stories of everyday conversations etc. — was exceedingly wondrous and sublime. And something of it was understood and alluded to for one who merited to stand before him... and speak with him — for all the kinds of stories that exist in the world and all the kinds of nonsense etc. that people tell would come before him, and also all the tales that people tell and all the printed tales were all before him. And he desired each time that they tell him before him news of the affairs of the world — for he could elevate and perform a very awesome and very hidden service of G-d through all the stories in the world. Once I heard from his holy mouth that all the words that came before him became from them entirely different matters — and even one who tells before him etc., since they come before him, entirely different matters become from them etc. Even so, he said it is better that they not tell before him etc. at all — only that once it happened that one told a story before him and an entirely different matter became from it. And one who merited to stand before him regularly — even though there was no one who could understand the matters of his conduct even a drop from the sea — even so it was possible to understand some mere hint to where his secret speech reaches, in the affairs of the world and in frivolous talk. For several times we merited to hear wondrous Torah of the nature of the conversations and stories we had told with him beforehand. And it is impossible to explain all this in writing — the matter of the conversation and story with him of everyday talk. And whoever merited to stand before him saw in this wondrous and awesome novelties, and very many mystical combinations that were revealed through this — aside from the hidden matters. For he did not reveal even a drop from the sea, for it was sealed and very hidden in the utmost concealment. And still his great light is sealed and very hidden from the world — until Mashiach our righteousness comes speedily in our days; then they will know his greatness and his glory. And more and more so before his passing — when he came from Lemberg until he passed away, which was a span of two years and more, when he had his grave illness — then they told before him more and more of the affairs of the world. And he asked that they tell him news each time, and said he does not know how it is possible to live without news. And it was his way, for the most part, that most of the day he was closed and secluded. And afterwards he would speak with the world — both when some person needed to speak with him for advice in some matter, and particularly advice in fear of Heaven and in the service of G-d, which was the majority of his occupation with those close to him — and also the other conversations and stories, whatever came into our mouths. And very, very much would emerge from the aforementioned conversation into wondrous conversations of Torah and prayer and fear of Heaven. And it was always his way that even when he spoke with people everyday talk, his feet and most of his body trembled very much. And his feet literally shook very much, and when he leaned on the table, the table — with all the other people leaning on it — would also tremble because of him, for his feet and body always trembled and shook. And whoever did not merit to see the awe he always bore on his face — never saw awe in the world. And he bore all the kinds of grace in the world. And he was full of awe and love and wondrous and awesome holiness in every single limb. And he stripped away all the traits and evil desires with the utmost stripping and the utmost nullification — which no human mind can estimate at all, and whose like was never found in the world. And he was a wondrous and very awesome novelty, of which the mouth cannot speak and the heart cannot think: