In the year 5503 on Parshas Balak during Sholosh Seudos, the Ba’al Shem Tov suddenly told the talmidim, “I believe that the Ner HaMaarovi, the Western Candle, has been extinguished.” After Havdola the talmidim asked the Ba’al Shem what he meant. He explained to them, “The holy Tzaddik, the mechaber of the Ohr HaChaim, has left this world. The way I know this is because there is one secret regarding Netilas Yodayim (when we wash our hands before HaMotzi), and this secret is only revelead to one Tzaddik in each generation. Until today, this secret was given to the Ohr HaChaim – and now that secret has been revealed to me. I realized that if I have been given this secret I must be the only one who knows – and this must mean that the Ohr HaChaim is no longer with us in this world.” (Gloss Menachem Tzion to Shem HaGedolim Seforim Alef Siman 54)
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