“This is especially so in the recent generations, when it was added the phenomenon of ‘the revelation of the inner aspects of the Torah’. This began with the “Mitzvah to reveal this knowledge” in the time of the Arizal94. As well as later on – “your wellsprings [of Chassidus] shall spread outward95” by our Rebbes our leaders – which through them “prophecy shall return to the Jewish people” (in the above-mentioned words of the Rambam)96, “He revealed His secret to his servants the prophets,” [indeed] they are the prophets of our generation97 to the extent of “a prophet from among you… like me” (since they are ‘the extension of Moshe in every generation’98), and they are the “judges” and “advisors” of our generation:
[They are] “your judges” – since they are our leaders, and a Nasi [leader] (an idiom of Hisnasus [exalted]) is incomparably higher than all those who he leads (similar to what is says99 “and he [Shaul] was taller than all the people, from his shoulders upward”), and [they] also [are] our Rebbes who teach Torah to the whole nation – similar to “judges”; and [they are also] “advisors” – who give advice in matters of Torah and fear of Heaven100, and even in physical matters (the concept of prophets)”
“Iggeres Hakodesh ibid. – Although the
Alter Rebbe writes there: “remember the days of old… and where, oh where have you found such a custom… that it should be the custom and
regulation to ask for advice in mundane matters – what one is to do in matters pertaining to the physical world etc. except for the real prophets that were aforetimes amongst Jewish people…” – However, it is known that after this the Alter Rebbe received – and his successors the Rebbes, our leaders – the inquiries of Chasidim regarding mundane matters (see his known Iggeres Hakodes s.v. Nefesh Hashefeilah – Igros Kodesh Admo”r Hazokein, end of sect. 5 (page 151)), and he answered them (see Sefer Shiurim B’sefer Hatanya on Iggeres Hakodes a.l. (page 1585)).”