The Fear of a Rebbe

Rav Michel of Sheps once related what he saw in Kotzk. It was Shabbos, and two tzaddikim and geonim, the Gerrer Rebbe and the Alexander Rebbe, both talmidim of the Kotzker, sat facing each other in the Bais Medrash discussing divrei Torah. Suddenly the Kotzker Rebbe's footsteps were heard approaching the closed door that led from his room to the Bais Medrash.

Such terror seized everyone present that, before the Tzaddik could open the door, the Gerrer Rebbe fled and hid behind the stove, and the Alexander Rebbe ran away and jumped out of the window. Rav Hirsch Tomashover, the Rebbe's gabbai, was so panicked that he hid under the table. Then the door opened, and the Rebbe spoke words of mussar and hisorerus (spiritual awakening) in a voice that burst forth like flames, reaching the highest heights and moving the soul to its depths. When he finished, he closed the door to his room. "That," said the Rav of Sheps, "is what it means to fear your Rebbe."

On another occasion the Kotzker burst into the Bais Medrash and cried, "So that is what I thought. I thought I would have ten white-robed talmidim and no more." Almost everyone fled in fear of the Rebbe's anger. Only Rav Yechiel Meir of Gustanin stood frozen to the spot, too terrified to move. The Kotzker turned to him and said, "I didn't mean to include you in that."