The third Rebbe of Chabad, Menachem Mendel of Lubavitch (1789-1866),
once said to his chassidim:
"The Baal Shem Tov1 loved light. So his disciples always made sure to light
many candles whenever they expected their master.
"On one occasion, they had only a single candle and, despite their efforts,
could not obtain any more. Knowing how much their master loved light,
they were bitterly disappointed by their inability to provide the illumination he desired.
"When the Baal Shem Tov entered the room, he told his disciples to go outside
and collect the icicles that hung from the roof. He then instructed them to
arrange the 'ice candles' about the room and light them. The ice burned like
wax, flooding the room with light."
Rabbi Menachem Mendel fell silent. Then, with a note of yearning in his
voice, he said: "For the Baal Shem Tov's chassidim, ice burned and yielded
light. Today's Chassidim sit in well-heated and well-lighted rooms, and yet it
is cold and dark..."
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