אות - רב

The Rebbe once spoke of the difference between the teachings of various tzaddikim.

The Talmud teaches that Moses looked through a “clear pane,” while other prophets saw through a “dull window” ( Yebamot 49b) . Other prophets described their vision by saying, “Thus says God.” They saw it only vaguely, through a dull window. But Moses was able to understand his vision by saying, “This is the word of God” (Numbers 30:2) . He was describing a clear vision seen through a brightly-polished window (cf. Rashi ad loc.) . The Rebbe said that the same difference exists in the original Torah insights of tzaddikim.

All these teachings are absolutely true. But when some tzaddikim try to fit their teachings into a biblical verse or Talmudic saying, it does not fit the words exactly. The best they can do is find some allusion or support for their words. This is like a vision through a dull glass, where all they can say is, “Thus says God.”

There are some extraordinary tzaddikim in the category of Moses (cf. Likutey Moharan I, 2:6) . Their original teachings are as pure and clear as the sun (ibid., I, 6:5; Bava Batra 75a) . When they fit these teachings into biblical and Talmudic sayings, they illuminate them most clearly. Their vision is through a lucid window and they can say, “This is the word.” Their teachings fit the quotation so obviously and clearly that they can truly say, “This is the word.”