Likutei Moharan 7:3/ליקוטי מוהר"ן ז׳:ג׳

13. {“Behold, You want truth in the inner parts; in the innermost places teach me wisdom” (Psalms 51:8).} Yet is impossible to achieve truth except through attachment to the tzaddikim and by following their advice. The person who accepts their advice has the truth etched inside him. As is written, “Behold, You want truth”—when truth is what you desire—“in the inner parts, in the innermost places, teach me wisdom.” For the advice received from [the tzaddikim] is an aspect of marriage and union <of holinesss>.

2But when one accepts advice from the wicked, this corresponds to a marriage <and union of> the kelipah (husks). [As Chavah said] (Genesis 3:13), “The Serpent advised me”—this being a euphemism for marriage. Her acceptance of the Serpent’s advice is likened to a marriage. Through <this> marriage, the Serpent polluted her [and all her descendants]. However, with the revelation at Mount Sinai, this pollution ceased (Shabbat 146a). For it was there that they received the six hundred thirteen counsels of holiness (Zohar II, 82b) —<a wedding of holiness>.

3And why is advice called marriage? This is because the kidneys advise (Berakhot 61a), and the kidneys are reproductive organs, producers of sperm (Zohar III, 235a). We can therefore conclude that by accepting advice from a person, it is as if we are receiving seed from him. And [the nature of union] depends entirely upon the nature of person <giving the advice>: whether wicked or righteous.

4This is the reason the Torah is maTiSh (saps) one’s strength (Sanhedrin 26b). It is also called TuShiyah (insight), for there are six hundred thirteen counsels, as in (Proverbs 8:14), “Mine is counsel and insight.” Advice is therefore likened to marriage, an aspect of matrimonial union, which also saps one’s strength.

5{“I have planted for you a sorek (a vine), an entirely true seed” (Jeremiah 2:21).} The tzaddik’s advice is “entirely true seed.” This is the meaning of, “I have planted for you a SoReK”—this alludes to the redemption, as is written (Zakhariah 10:8), “eShR’Kah (I will whistle) to them and gather them in.” How will this be achieved? [They will be gathered in] through “entirely true seed”—the advice of the tzaddikim brings to truth. For through this [advice, justice] becomes faith, because it is bound up with truth. And this brings the redemption, for he receives the drops of the tzaddik’s intellect through the advice which he accepts from him.

6This is the meaning of, “Behold, You want truth, [then] in the inner parts”—the kidneys—“… teach me wisdom.” Let me merit receiving the drops of the mind, the drops of the intellect [of the tzaddikim], through the advice I will accept from them. Then I will merit the truth, for the drops of the intellect are called “entirely true seed.”