The tzaddik as a channel of blessing

A central theme of the Noam Elimelech is that the tzaddik bows low and binds himself to the simple people in order to draw Divine abundance down to them. Reading the story of Avraham running to greet his guests, the Rebbe sees a tzaddik who humbles himself and hurries to bring shefa – blessing for children, health and livelihood – to all of Yisroel. Holiness is not meant to stay at the top; it must flow down.