This is the power of true words. They have the power to cause a person to remember—enabling him to fulfill ה' מצוות כל את וזכרתם, or remember all the mitzvos of Hashem. A word spoken in purity is forever. It penetrates the heart, and it refuses to leave. It is for this reason that the words of a tzaddik leave a long-lasting impression.
One Word Gave Chiyus for Three Years
In this vein, there’s a story about the Beis Aharon of Karlin that we will do well to remember in these days before Pesach night:
A chassid of the Rebbe didn’t come to the Rebbe for three years—and when he finally did come, the Rebbe asked him about his long absence.
The chassid explained that the last time he was in Karlin, he heard words from the Rebbe—and these words continued to serve him in his avodas Hashem throughout these three years, such that there was no reason for him to return until now!
When the Rebbe asked what it was that he heard from him all those years ago, he said: “Which creation can dare to serve Hashem? But how good is it to serve the Ribbono shel Olam however we want, whenever we want, and with whatever we want!”
The Power of Speech Comes from Bittul to Hashem
These words have tremendous depth, and we can analyze and study them at length. But one may say, “Now that I know these words, I can surely repeat them to others and give them chiyus for three years!” It’s obvious that it doesn’t work this way. It only works when it emanates from the heart of a tzaddik. When the tzaddik says it, and they emanate from a holy heart, it settles into the heart of the listener, and it remains there.
Their power of speech stems from their bittul to the Ribbono shel Olam. Koach haddibur means that the Yid invests efforts for his own heart to have utter bittul to the Ribbono shel Olam, and he davens that the words should enter the hearts of his children.
The Ribbono shel Olam says to every Yid: I want you to use your koach hadibbur on Pesach night, and I’m telling you this on Rosh Chodesh—immediately with the appearance of a new moon. Ensure that on Pesach night there will be a “beautiful levanah.” Your koach haddibur should shine bright and illuminate for your children.
The more you have bittul to the sun, the more you have bittul to tzaddikim, to the Torah, to the Ribbono shel Olam—the more you will fashion your heart, a heart that will later be able to influence the hearts of all those who listen to you.
