Likutay Moharan - Torah-teaching 183

183 - The Tzadikim in the Generation Sit in a Circle

Know that the tzadikim of the generation sit in a circle – that is, the arrangement of their positions in the world, each in their respective place, follows the order of a circle. Even if other people intervene between them, disrupting and spoiling the circle's order, recognize that these individuals are in the aspect of "not from the settlement" (-unrooted and insignificant), and they are not counted at all. Thus, the tzadikim remain seated in the order of a circle. The Holy One Blessed be He presides over them all, embodying the aspect of the head of the court, for these tzadikim seated in a circle form a court from which judgments issue to each person – whether for merit or liability – and from which sustenance is distributed appropriately to each.

The essential element is that love exists among them – a love so strong that they constantly "see" one another, unable to endure not seeing their fellow due to the magnitude of the love. There is also a love that allows for separation, yet it remains love as they cherish each other from afar. This too is an aspect of "seeing" one another, as the world says of something hated, "I can't bear to see it." But when they love each other, it is the aspect of seeing one another, embodying love as described.

This corresponds to (Sanhedrin 30a): The Sanhedrin sat like a round threshing floor. "Sanhedrin" represents the tzadikim from whom all judgments and sustenance emerge (as above). It is "like a threshing floor" because sustenance originates there. Their seating in a circle is as described, all to enable them to see one another, as noted in the Gemara – an aspect of love, which is the aspect of seeing (as above).