ויאמר אליהם: רב לכם, כי כל העדה כולם קדושים, ובתוכם ה’, ומדוע תתנשאו על קהל ה’, וישמע משה ויפול על פניו וידבר…בקר ויודע ה’ (קרח טז: ג,ד,ה)

A Misnagid (one who is opposed to chassidus) once came to the Baal Hatanya zt’’l and asked why the Chassidishe Rebbes conduct themselves differently than their chassidim by wearing different clothing and having a shamesh serve them at all times.

After hearing the question, the Baal Hatanya bowed down his head and cast his eyes to the ground.  After a short while, he replied that tzaddikim are like the head, as it says “ראשי אלפי ישראל” which refers to the ראש – head, and Klal Yisroel are compared to the גוף – body parts.  Everyone understands that when you put on clothing over the body, the head doesn’t consider itself greater because it doesn’t wear clothes, and nor would the body trade off its clothing.

The same applies to tzaddikim.  They don’t hold themselves in higher regard because they wear different clothing and are served more than others.  

The Misnagid accepted the words.  However, the Baal Hatanya’s son The Rebbe Reb Dov Ber zt’’l asked: “Tateh, to answer such a question, why did you bow down your head first?”

The Baal Hatanya replied: “This act was evidenced by Moshe Rabbeinu “כי כל העדה…ומדוע תתנשאו…וישמע משה ויפל על פניו…”  Moshe heard their complaint and then bowed down his face and afterwards replied “בקר וידוע” – why didn’t Moshe respond right away? When Korach asked his question, Moshe thought perhaps Korach was a messenger from Hashem to rebuke Moshe for holding himself in high esteem.  So Moshe bent down his face to ensure that he didn’t have a trace of גאוה – haughtiness, and then was able to answer.”

Concluded the Baal Hatanya: “I did the same thing.  I bowed down my head to ensure I don’t possess any traces of haughtiness, and then I was able to respond to the Misnagid.”