Rashbi and the Heavenly Hosts Are Here

When Rav Isaac'l spoke Torah at his tisch, lofty souls would reveal themselves from the highest spiritual planes and descend to him. He would often remark during his discourses, "Rav Shimon ben Yochai and his Chevraya are here. The entire heavenly host is here."

Some of his talmidim were once discouraged that he said such things, because they did not witness these visitors or see anything. When the Rebbe saw their disappointment, he told them, "Horvitz vi unz vet etz oich zehn. Desire and apply yourselves as much as I do, and you too shall see."

Once, a few of the Divrei Chaim's descendants were present at the Rebbe's tisch. As usual, Rav Isaac'l repeated that Rashbi and his Chevraya and all the heavenly hosts were there. Afterward, when they retold all this to the Divrei Chaim, they were sure he would disapprove of such remarks. Yet he listened to it all and made no comment.