Rav Chaim Meir, the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz, was very close with his uncle, the Ateres Yeshua of Dzikov, and would often recount stories and teachings from his uncle:
Rav Chaim Meir of Vizhnitz once told the following tale before Kol Nidrei:
“I heard from my holy uncle, the Ateres Yeshua of Dzikov, in the name of the advocate of the Jewish people, the holy Berditchever Rav, Sanegoran Shel Yisroel, who said. “Master of the World! -- Ribbono Shel Olam,” You have a Jewish parliament made up of the sages of Klal Yisroel of that generation. You are required by Your own laws of Torah to ask their permission before You decide to decree anything harsh. If You wish to give them shefa and beracha--bounty and blessings, then You need not seek their approval beforehand. However, if You wish to act, heaven forbid, in a harsh manner with harsh judgments then You cannot do so without their agreement!
This is how the Berditchever explained the verses, Devarim 4:35, “Ata haresa l’daas ki Hashem Hu haElokim, ayn od milvado.” The particular name for Hashem, “Elokim,” alludes to harsh judgements. Therefore, it reads: If You wish to act harshly (with midas hadin hinted at by Elokim) – then “ayn od milvado (You are acting alone) and the parliament does not agree; You cannot decree so without asking them first!”
“For example,” said The Imrei Chaim interrupting his own tale, “You would have to ask the holy Berditchever who always sought the best and advocated on behalf of Klal Yisroel, or my holy father the Ahavas Yisroel of Vizhnitz--You need to ask their advice and have them agree.”
The Imrei Chaim then continued the Berditsheve's peirush: “However (Tehillim 136:4) ‘L’oseh niflaos gedolos l’vado ki l’olam chasdo,’- If Hashem, You wish to do great wonders for us and send us shefa and chassadim (bounty of blessings and kindness) -‘l’vado,’ - You can do so all on Your own.”
