A Rebbe is an Atzmi

Once (many years ago) there was a farbrengen in Toronto, and during the farbrengen, Reb Mendel (who was a young man at the time) said that a Rebbe is an עצמי. My grandfather, Rabbi Dov Yehuda Schochet was there, and he was scandalized by this statement that he felt was bordering on kefirah (and perhaps not just bordering...). He informed Reb Mendel that he felt he had no choice but to report this to the Rebbe. But he reassured him that he would not repeat it בשם אומרו, in order to protect the one who said it.

When he returned from NY, he shared that be had indeed brought it up on yechidus, and the Rebbe had discussed it with him at length.

"Nu?" he was asked.

To which he replied "Ess hot an ort"!