Korach

One of the gedolei Yisroel who took part in the gatherings was the famed Chofetz Chayim, Rabbi Yisroel Meir HaKohen of Radin. The Chofetz Chayim enjoyed a very warm relationship with the Rebbe Rashab, that was openly displayed by both of them. When the Chofetz Chayim visited the Rebbe, The Rebbe grasped the hands of the Chofetz Chayim in both of his own with tremendous warmth. When the visit ended, the Rebbe Rashab escorted him until the stairs (something that he was not seen doing with other distinguished guests). The following incident emphasizes the depth of the reverence that the Chofetz Chayim had for the Rebbe Rashab:

During one of the meetings of the rabbonim, the Rebbe Rashab expressed his position on a certain matter. Some of the other Rabbonim present were not in agreement, and they expressed their opposition. When the Chofetz Chayim saw this, he exclaimed passionately: “All of the words of the Lubavitcher Rebbe are holy, and to argue with him is like arguing against Moshe Rabbenu!”

One of the Rabbonim present took offense, and retorted: “Is that so? Are you perhaps, then, likening me to Korach?”

The Chofetz Chayim, who had labored his whole life on shmiras halashon, was devastated at the thought that he had offended someone else by something that he had said. He immediately began apologizing to the other Rov, and doing all that he could to placate him.

When the Rebbe Rashab was returning from that meeting, he remarked to the Frierdige Rebbe (referring to the Chofetz Chayim) “Nu, er vet shoin hoben vos tzu ton haint bai nacht bai krias shma she’al hamita” [he has his work cut out for him for (the chashbon hanefesh of) krias shma tonight]. Both the Rebbe Rashab and the Frierdige Rebbe laughed heartily.