“The Chofetz Chaim was the Rebbe of the Veltishe Yidden,” the Rebbe said to Reb Yitzchok Meir Pinsker, at the yechidus before Dr. Seligson’s marriage to his daughter. 

Because of his close relationship, when the Chofetz Chaim was niftar, the Frierdiker Rebbe sent an emissary to the levaya, with a message to proclaim. “The Chofetz Chaim needs no praise, the Chofetz Chaim did not die! In order for klal Yisroel to remain connected to him, they must strengthen their commitment to Torah and mitzvos.”

In 5727, in a conversation with the Rachmestrivker Rebbe, the Rebbe related:

“The Chofetz Chaim had a close relationship with my father-in-law. My father-in-law told me that he is sure that were the Chofetz Chaim alive today, he would say that it is vital to learn the Torah of the Baal Shem Tov, just as important as it is to learn his sefer, the Mishna Berura.”

(Margolin Teshurah Elul 5764; Siach Sarfei Kodesh p. 190)