A chassid failed to follow his Rebbe’s instruction and felt that the Rebbe was no longer as close to him. This caused him great distress. The Rebbe noticed and asked him about his sadness.
The chassid replied: “Because the Rebbe is upset with me.”
The Rebbe responded: “After Cain sinned, G-d asked him, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?’ The Chiddushei HaRim asks: Wasn’t it obvious that Cain was distressed because he had been cast away from before G-d? Rather, it was not a question but a rebuke. G-d was reproving Cain: reflect on where your sadness comes from. You are not grieving over the sin itself, but over the distance I have placed between us.”
And the Rebbe concluded: “So too with you—do not be saddened over my displeasure with you. Be saddened over the deed you did. Then you will reach your rectification.”
